Technical Intern – Thermal Engineering

Job Description

In this position, you will participate in BAE Systems' nationwide LEAP Internship & Co-op Program, where you will Learn, Engage, Apply, and Progress within the company. The LEAP Program will provide you with the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals on impactful projects, engage in career development opportunities, and network with our business leaders and the other students in the program.

The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers’ missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.

What You’ll Do:

• Perform thermal design and analysis of spacecraft and/or precision aerospace electro-mechanical, and/or opto-mechanical flight hardware systems, cryo systems, antenna communication systems, tactical systems, components and/or ground support equipment from concept through detail design and testing.
• Build upon university acquired knowledge to solve thermal problems.
• Calculate heat transfer coefficients, temperature and heat flows; steady state and transient.
• Develop thermal loads and environments for hardware (spacecraft, instruments, etc.).
• Modeling tasks may include steady state and transient thermal math modeling, computation of heat transfer coefficients, and heat flow calculations.
• Support thermal environmental testing (in air and/or vacuum).
• Work may also include written documentation of work, presentations to customers and/or program team and development of engineering reports and/or test procedures.
• Review drawings, procedures and engineering orders for completeness, compatibility, producibility, and correctness.
• Ability to provide and communicate the technical and programmatic aspects of a project to the team, as well as the customer.
• Promote development of a strong team by participation in key aspects of a project.
• Responsible for meeting program cost, schedule, and technical requirements.
• Maintain and update required records and reports.
• Work in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) design environment with other engineering disciplines such as Systems, Electrical, Project, Production, M&P, Quality and Cryogenic Engineering.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
• May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
• May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Hourly Rate: $26.00 - $35.00

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Must have completed your sophomore or junior year and be enrolled in a degree program for the fall of 2026. We will also accept students enrolled in a graduate degree program.
• Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• Interest in aerospace and cryogenic/thermal engineering.
• Foundation in/knowledge of heat transfer and thermodynamics.
• Excellent analytic capabilities.
• Display curiosity; seek out opportunities to learn.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Gather and analyze information from a diverse set of sources and individuals to fully understand a problem.
• Use innovative thinking to go beyond traditional methods.
• Good interpersonal skills as well as the ability and desire to work effectively in a team environment.
• Communicate in a clear and organized manner so that others can effectively understand.
• Ability to work effectively with customer counterparts.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, team environment.
• Proficiency with MS Office tools.

#LI-HC1

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Thermal Desktop software experience/proficiency.
• Pursuing degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Thermal Engineering.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $48620 - $67640

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Temporary employees generally are not eligible for BAE Systems benefits, but can elect to participate in the 401(k) savings plan. Temporary employees working 20 hours per week are eligible for medical benefits, the employee assistance program, and business travel accident insurance.


About BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for the U.S. Intelligence, Department of Defense and scientific communities. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Salary : $48,620 - $67,640