Aerospace Rising Star Programs

Position: 2026 Aerospace Rising Star Programs

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 undergraduate and graduate-level students for our Aerospace Rising Star program. Applying to this job requisition will put you in a candidate pool used to hire for the class of 2026 Aerospace Rising Stars for opportunities across the company.

The Aerospace Rising Star Programs are in partnership with universities and recruitment pipeline organizations and include paid full-time positions for a minimum of 10 weeks in the summer. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on‑site at a designated Aerospace facility which include but are not limited to:

El Segundo, CA;

Chantilly or Arlington, VA;

Huntsville, AL;

Colorado Springs, CO;

Albuquerque, NM;

Houston, TX.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Assignments vary depending on the hiring organization
• Participates with an interdisciplinary team in ongoing research or technical programs with academic collaboration partners
• Applies standard techniques and procedures to carry out a series of prescribed scientific and/or engineering tasks
• 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

Minimum Requirements / What You Need to Be Successful

• Currently enrolled full‑time in an accredited college/university program pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Aero/Astro Engineering, Chemical Engineering/Chemistry, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber/Cyber Security, Electrical Engineering, Intelligence Studies, Materials Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering or related engineering or technical discipline.
• Nomination from one of the following programs:

Dr. Austin STEM Endowment Program, GEM Fellowship Program, Matthew Isakowitz Commercial Space Scholarship or the Association of Corporate Counsel.

• 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.
• Positions require 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.
• Current unofficial transcripts required.

How You Can Stand Out

• GPA 3.0 or higher
• Active security clearance
• Experience programming in C, C++, HTML, Python, Java
• Experience in developing and delivering presentations
• Experience in working in an autonomous work environment on complex projects or with team groups
• Software design, development, unit testing, and integration experience

Temporary housing assistance is not available.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade‑based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

N/A

Pay Basis:

Hourly

Leadership Competencies

• 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.

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and…