IC 2025 Cyber Operations and Resilience

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.

Internship conversion position for the Cyber Operations and Resilience Department within the Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD).  This position will be located in Colorado Springs, CO.

Job Summary:

ISCD staff members couple the latest in information system technologies, such as elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real-time operating systems, and visualization frameworks, with expertise in cyber security, software architecture, software engineering, data science, Artificial Intelligence, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high-performance software intensive systems to our Intelligence Community, DoD, and civilian customers.

A trusted partner. A national resource. A leader in national security space. We are THE Aerospace Corporation. A team that takes pride in our readiness to solve some of the most complex technical challenges in existence. With challenges spanning clandestine to commercial, you’ll have the unique opportunity to work on projects that are literally evolving our nation's space, strategic and launch capabilities. We all share a common passion and aspiration – to serve a mission much bigger than ourselves. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a rare collection of thought leaders and game-changing innovators. Are you ready to launch your career?

Work Model: 

This position will be a hybrid work model and offer partially remote with some onsite work required in Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Support test, study and improve mission cyber resiliency (aka cybersecurity) for Space and Strategic Mission Systems from advanced cyber threats

• Develop and test Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) tools and capabilities

• Applies standard techniques and procedures to carry out a series of prescribed scientific and/or cybersecurity tasks

• Participate in risk management activities to ensure cybersecurity risks are evaluated and mitigations applied in accordance with security directives

• Prioritize work and meet deadlines

• Proactively support program management of multiple projects and facilitate in-depth working groups to identify credible threats, relevant vulnerabilities, and assess operational impacts

• Assist in development of mitigating courses of action and creation of comprehensive strategies to include system design modifications

• Closely collaborate with Aerospace, Government, SETA and mission partner representatives

• 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

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:  

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, Software Engineering, or Computer Engineering (pursuing or conferred within 12 months)

• Prior internship at The Aerospace Corporation

• Have taken courses or have experience in software development in programming languages such as Python, C/C++, Java, or other similar languages

• Have taken courses or have experience employing modern application development techniques such as agile development, application containerization, cloud solution implementation, cloud orchestration, Kubernetes, DevSecOps or CICD pipelines, etc.

• Experience working as part of a team(s) developing IT related capabilities as part of academic course work or in real-world settings (e.g., software development, IT system design, user requirements gathering, etc.)

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. 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 of 3.5 or higher  

• Current active security clearance 

• Academic and/or real-world experience with planning, architecting, implementing, and/or testing cybersecurity capabilities

• Academic and/or real-world experience in general IT activities such as network design, network or system administration, server installation/configuration, and desktop configuration/administration

• Academic and/or real-world experience in cybersecurity activities such as system hardening, penetration testing, red/blue teaming, and cyber incidence response

• Demonstrated knowledge of space capabilities (commercial and/or government space capabilities)

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)

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.