2027 Photonics Technologies Graduate Intern

About the Role

The Aerospace Corporation, an FFRDC operator for national security space programs, is seeking a graduate Intern for the Photonics Technology Department within the Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL). PSL supports the development and operation of national security systems through scientific research and advanced technologies. This role will focus on research and development in RF photonics, photonic integrated circuits, quantum photonics, and/or fabrication techniques, contributing to new capabilities for space systems.

The selected candidate will work full-time, on-site in El Segundo, CA.

Key Responsibilities

• Participating with an interdisciplinary team in ongoing laboratory and theoretical research focused on advanced photonic technologies such as quantum and microwave photonics.
• Applying standard and novel techniques and procedures to carry out scientific, engineering, and/or computational tasks related to quantum technologies, RF photonics, including laboratory characterization of devices and system simulations.
• Developing novel techniques for analyzing advanced photonic systems.
• Presenting results to management and colleagues.
• Interacting with and learning from senior staff.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited college/university program pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Quantum Science, Optics, or related discipline.
• Availability to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside of university term and ability to return to a Master's or Ph.D. degree program full-time after completion of the internship.
• Undergraduate degree completed by internship start date.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g. Python, MATLAB, Mathematica, or similar analytical language).
• Prior experience working in a research or prototyping lab or performing numerical simulations.
• Completed coursework covering basic electrical engineering and/or physics principles.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Qualifications

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

How You Can Stand Out

• GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Active security clearance.
• Completed coursework in advanced physics and/or electrical engineering (such as RF communications, nanophotonics, photonic integrated circuits, nonlinear optics, quantum-related subjects).
• Experience with specialty photonics simulation packages such as Lumerical, HFSS, Comsol.
• Experience performing independent research and/or development projects.

Compensation

• Grade-based pay range: $32.00 - $38.00 per hour.