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2027 SDRDigital Signal Processing Undergraduate Intern


Job Location:

Chantilly, VA - USA

Hourly Salary: USD 26 - 30
Posted: 16 September 2026 (9 days ago)
Application Deadline: 14 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nations 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 youll be part of a special collection of problem solvers thought leaders and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD) we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our countrys space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics sensors radar artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration. With innovative laboratories and prototyping MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense intelligence community and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD!

The Digital Electronics and Electromagnetic Department a core part of the Communication Systems and Agile Processing sub-division excels in managing the full communications chainfrom RF signals to digital bits. Our expertise encompasses everything from modeling and simulation to RF chain analysis/design and software-defined radio systems. We leverage this deep knowledge to develop satellite payloads advanced signal collection methods new modulation schemes testbed environments and innovative approaches to antenna design characterization and measurement.

We are looking for an SDR / Digital Signal Processing Undergraduate Intern to join our team and support critical programs that are vital to the success of todays and tomorrows space architectures. This position offers the unique opportunity to collaborate with leading technical experts while providing strategic guidance to both the United States Space Force and the Intelligence Community as they shape the future of the rapidly evolving space sector.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time onsite at our office in Chantilly VA.

What Youll Be Doing

  • Gain hands-on experience with the departments laboratory infrastructure including advanced SDR hardware platforms CI/CD development environments high-performance compute hardware and RF test and measurement equipment
  • Solve technically challenging problems in the areas of communications signals collection and data processing
  • Work cooperatively with subject area experts in cross-organizational teams; participating in interfaces with customers and/or Aerospace program offices.
  • Support technical studies/analysis/experiments/simulations and be able to document and present findings to a wide audience
  • Duties responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned as needed
  • Training and mentorship will be provided

WhatCorporateSkillsYoull 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.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements

  • Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited college/university program pursuing a Bachelorsdegree in electrical engineering computer engineering computer science physics or related discipline.
  • 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.
  • Sophomore class standing completed by internship start date
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Experience with scientific programming using languages such as MATLAB Python C etc.
  • Understanding of fundamental principles of digital signal processing
  • Exposure to common applications for DSP such as communications or remote sensing
  • This position requires the ability to obtainand maintaina security clearancewhich 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:

  • GPA 3.5 or higher
  • Active security clearance
  • Experience working with and developing applications for software defined radios
  • Experience working in a laboratory environment with RF devices and associated test equipment such as oscilloscopes multimeters spectrum analyzers network analyzers etc...
  • Familiarity with basic communications systems components and ability to analyze system performance
  • Understanding of computer networking principles and protocols
  • Experience working in Linux-based development environments

Temporary housing assistance is not available.

We offer a competitive compensation package where youll 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)

$26.00 - $30.00

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 various backgrounds and all walks of life yet one thing bonds all of us to each otherthe 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 equalopportunity 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 colorreligiongeneticinformation 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 youre 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 emailat .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.


Required Experience:

Intern


About Company

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Aerospace operates the only federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) committed exclusively to the space enterprise. Our technical experts span every discipline of space-related science and engineering.

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