2025 Systems Cost and Schedule 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.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

Job Summary

The Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges.

Aerospace’s Integrated Cost and Schedule Analysis (iCASA) Department is seeking an early career Systems Analyst to join a diverse, innovative, and highly productive team of cost and schedule professionals.  This growing bi-coastal department supports a wide range of customers in the National Security, Civil and Commercial, and International Space Communities. iCASA collects lessons learned from a wide variety of programs to help develop better engineering management techniques within the fields of cost, schedule, and risk analyses.

Work Model: This position will be located onsite in El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA

What You’ll Be Doing

• Analyze cost and technical data to assess credibility of government and industry cost and schedule estimates
• Conduct research and analysis of schedule and technical data, along with the development of schedule assessments to support the government in the procurement of cost-effective systems
• Participate in Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis, evaluation of contractor cost activities, concurrent engineering and trade studies
• Utilize industry tools to develop and/or evaluate Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), conduct Schedule Risk Assessments (SRAs), structural integrity analyses, and identification/quantification of program risks
• Actively engage with mentors and senior staff in the development of cost and schedule methods and models. This entails supporting cost research activities, developing historical databases, and providing recommendations through technical analyses.
• Interact directly and collaborate with department staff, mentors, and internal customers
• Document analysis and present technical, cost, and programmatic data/findings to peers, management, and customers

What Corporate Skills You’ll Bring

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Candidate must be able to communicate concepts and be responsible for ensuring technical quality in terms of completeness, relevance, accuracy and timeliness.
• Candidate must be able to work and communicate effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment, react quickly to changing requirements and schedules.
• Candidate must be able to think critically and work effectively to synthesize information from multiple sources.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Currently enrolled fulltime in an accredited college/university program pursuing an MS or PhD degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research, Economics or a related discipline of science and technology
• 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.
• Knowledge of space and ground systems, systems engineering
• Proficiency in analyzing complex data, understanding variability, identifying trends, and conducting sensitivity analyses for cost and schedule projects
• Proficiency in using MS Excel (formulas, pivot tables, data analysis functions)
• Ability to collect and organize data from various sources (e.g., vendor quotes and market research),
• Familiarity with or a willingness to learn basic cost and schedule tools (e.g., SEER, PRICE, MS Project, WBS Pro, and internally developed tools)
• Ability to communicate complex cost and schedule estimates to mentors and stakeholders through detailed reports and presentation

How You Can Stand Out

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

• GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Active security clearance
• Demonstrated ability to lead small projects
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and collaborate effectively
• Computer programming and modeling, especially for purposes of developing tools to assess and estimate national security, space, ground, and launch systems.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following programming languages: Python or VB.
• Familiarity with standard cost, schedule, and project management methodologies
• Understand the relationship between cost estimation and project management (e.g., budget tracking, schedule management, and resource allocation)
• Skills in assessing cost and schedule risks and understanding cost drivers

Temporary housing assistance is not available. 

The Aerospace Corporation is a proud member of Space Workforce 2030, a growing coalition of leading space companies committed to collaboratively working toward a shared vision of expanding and diversifying opportunities for talent to join the exciting space industry. As part of this commitment, the Space Workforce 2030 companies have pledged to increase the number of females, diverse employees, and interns with a goal to hire at least 3,000 interns by the summer of 2030. Click here to learn more and register for the National Space Intern program. 

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)

$32.00 – $48.00

Pay Basis: Hourly

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

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.