Space Systems Engineering - System Operations and Sustainment Intern, Summer 2027

Job Description
In this position, you will participate in BAE Systems' nationwide LEAP Internship & Co-op Program, where you will Learn, Engage, Apply, and Progress within the company. The LEAP Program will provide you with the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals on impactful projects, engage in career development opportunities, and network with our business leaders and the other students in the program.
At BAE Systems, Systems Engineers work to ensure the technical success of the entire system throughout the entire product lifecycle - from the conception of tomorrow's cutting-edge technologies to proposal writing, detailed design, assembly and test, and finally launch and operations. Our SO&S teams prepare for launch, initialization, and early operations of satellites. We are a key part of the launch and commissioning team, and we support on orbit test, factory reach-back, operations, and maintenance of satellites through their mission life.
The System Operations and Sustainment group within our Systems Engineering department is looking for college undergraduates and graduate students who can accomplish varied technical assignments and have the communication skills to interact with technical experts, government customers, and other commercial space companies. Our past interns have supported development of early-lifecycle missions, crafted NASA proposals for new missions, assessed the health and performance of on-orbit satellites, helped design next-generation spacecraft and their payloads, participated in the testing of flight hardware, and analyzed data to verify systems meet requirements.
The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers' missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.
What You'll Do:

• Our department includes a variety of roles, each of which is responsible for different tasks. Interns will be assigned to specific roles based on a combination of their interests, skills, and program needs. Previous technical intern tasks include:
• Develop, update, and test mission operations products such as command execution scripts, alarm limits, constraints, operating procedures, training material, or tools.
• Contribute to the planning and successful execution of rehearsals, test events, launch, commissioning, and/or early operations.
• Collaborate and coordinate with subject matter experts. This may include tasks such as technical review meetings, account and logistics support, and team briefings & training.
• Support the verification and validation of mission operations products through unit, system, and enterprise tests.
• Perform telemetry trending, performance analysis, calibration, and maintenance activities for the satellite.
• Participate in on-orbit operations, assess satellite and ground system state of health, and assist with anomaly support.
• Support integration and test of new capabilities and/or product releases for the satellite or ground system.
• Prepare and present technical content to peers, management, and customers.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or clean room, outdoors or remote research environment.
• May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
• May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Hourly Rate: $26.50 - $35.75
Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Must have completed your sophomore or junior year and be enrolled in a degree program for the fall of 2026. We will also accept students enrolled in a graduate degree program.
• Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related degree field.
• Effective communication and teamwork.
• A high interest in learning.
• Proactiveness when approaching problems or unknown areas.
• A desire to understand how changes in one area impact everything else on the project.

#LI-IH1
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• An active top secret security clearance is highly desirable.
• Experience in mission operations, including one or more of the following areas, is preferred:
  • Operations readiness activities, rehearsals, and launch support activities.
  • On-console satellite operations.
  • Spacecraft commissioning.
  • Spacecraft, payload, or subsystem design.
  • Mission management, command and control.
  • Operations product development such as command execution scripts, alarm limits, mission system constraints, operating procedures, training material, or tools.
• Familiarity with systems engineering processes, such as requirements management, change and configuration management, and verification and validation is preferred.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $49592 - $68993
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Temporary employees generally are not eligible for BAE Systems benefits, but can elect to participate in the 401(k) savings plan. Temporary employees working 20+ hours per week are eligible for medical benefits, the employee assistance program, and business travel accident insurance.
About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for government and commercial customers. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Multiple positions may be available on this opening.