2026 Sensor Modeling and Simulation Engineering Graduate Intern

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Aerospace Corporation is hiring a Sensor Modeling and Simulation Engineer - Grad Intern for the Sensor Modeling and Simulation Department (SMSD) within the Mission Payloads Division (MPD). This position will be full-time, 100% onsite at our office in Chantilly, VA

Job Summary

At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country’s space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration. With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions. Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD!

The SMSD team includes scientists and engineers across a broad range of disciplines actively engaged in developing the next generation of remote sensing systems of national importance.  SMSD supports all aspects of advanced remote sensing system development: designing and assessing the performance of optics and electro-optical focal plane arrays, modeling the end-to-end sensing system, simulating target scenes and atmospheres, developing innovative data processing and computer vision algorithms, and producing simulated data products for new applications.  Our expertise, combined with sophisticated in-house laboratories and prototyping capabilities, enables SMSD to deliver innovative solutions to national space systems and civil customers.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Applying SMSD and COTS analysis tools and techniques for applications including image chain modeling, scene simulation, spectroscopy, computer vision, change detection and tracking, space domain awareness, lidar and 3D remote sensing, radio frequency remote sensing, product quality metrics, optics, calibration, and/or data simulation.
• Applying best practices for modeling & simulation software development to augment existing software capabilities.
• Advising internal Aerospace customers on operational and R&D remote sensing system performance.
• Performing, documenting, and presenting results of studies to inform and influence decisions.
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed.
• Training and mentorship will be provided 
  
  

What Corporate Skills You’ll Bring 

• Strong written and oral communication skills 
• Must work well in a team environment. 
• Possess organizational, time management and project management skills. 
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need. 
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations. 
  
  

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Master’s or PhD degree from an accredited college/university program in Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Optical or Electrical Engineering, or another related discipline.
• Undergraduate degree completed and enrolled into graduate degree program by internship start date.
• Availability to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside of university term and ability to return to a degree program full-time after completion of the internship.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0  
• Strong scientific programming skills in at least one of: Python, C , Matlab, IDL
• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 
• Transcripts required. 
  
  

How You Can Stand Out 

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• GPA 3.5 or higher
• Proven experience in leadership and ability to mentor, teach, or coach others.
• Experience with any of the following, through coursework and/or prior internship(s).
• Electro-optical system modeling, simulation, design, data processing, calibration, characterization, phenomenology, or applications.
• Computation of sensor performance figures of merit (e.g., SNR, NESR).
• Evaluation of sensor hardware performance.
• Synthetic scene generation (with tools such as DIRSIG or Unreal Engine).
• Modeling atmospheric radiative transfer effects (with tools such as MODTRAN).
• Agile software development and Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence).
• Active security clearance
  

Temporary housing assistance is not available.

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change  
• Engage with Impact  
• Foster Innovation  
• Deliver Results
  
  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• A work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
  
  

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.