2026 AFRL System Engineer 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 Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

The Advanced Technology and Concepts (ATC) organization within the Space Innovation Directorate (SID) leads the Aerospace team supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) executed with the Air Force and Space Force. AFRL leads research and development for the Air Force and Space Force and develops prototypes and advanced technology demonstrators across the Department of War.

The AFRL Systems Engineer Intern will assist the Aerospace Lead Systems Engineers on a variety of AFRL/RJ programs providing assistance and oversight for technology development programs and mission development, systems engineering and operations planning for technology demonstrations and space experiments / prototypes both with the Space Force and with the Air Force Research Laboratory.

The selected candidate will work on-site at our facility at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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  Work closely with members AFRL/RJE program offices to assist in executing the acquisition of space missions from concept to launch and early operations.

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  Assist in the execution of space hardware environmental testing, including TVAC, vibration, and EMI/EMC.  Assist in writing test plans, procedures, and post-test reports.

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  Support on-orbit operations for select missions.

​What Corporate Skills You’ll Bring 

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  Strong written and oral communication skills 

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  Must work well in a team environment 

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  Possess organizational, time management and project management skills 

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  Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need 

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  Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations 

Minimum Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college/university program pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline.  

• SMART Scholar Fellowship.

• Experience with AFRL/RJE programs.

• Proven ability to work in a self-directed manner with customer personnel on a variety of technical, programmatic, and administrative issues, in a customer field-office environment.

• Occasional travel required.

• 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:

• Knowledge of Aerospace’s Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) skills and capabilities

• Knowledge of Space Force acquisitions and experience interfacing with USSF organizations

• Experience with program design, development, integration and test. 

• A record of personal technical achievement

• AFRL Program office experience

• Demonstrated ability to form and lead small, high-performance teams

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.