2027 Photonics Technologies Undergraduate Intern

About the Role

The Aerospace Corporation is hiring an undergraduate Intern for the Photonics Technology Department. This role involves working in radio frequency (RF) photonics, photonic integrated circuits, quantum photonics, and/or fabrication techniques, with a focus on research and development of new capabilities for space systems. The position is full-time and 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 and 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 Bachelor’s 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 Bachelor's degree program full-time after completion of the internship.
• Sophomore class standing completed by internship start date.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Some knowledge in scientific programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Mathematica, or similar analytical language).
• Some related coursework covering basic electrical engineering and physics principles.
• 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 are required.

Qualifications (How You Can Stand Out)

• GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Active security clearance.
• Taken coursework in advanced electrical engineering principles and/or physics (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.
• Ability to incorporate Claude Code into daily work flow.

Corporate Skills

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

Compensation

• Pay Basis: Hourly
• Grade-based pay range: $26.00 - $30.00

Temporary housing assistance is not available.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. Details will be provided during the interview process.