Top Tech Jobs & Startup Jobs in Los Angeles, CA

Engineering interns support space and missile-defense systems across simulation, modeling, hardware prototyping, embedded software, controls, sensing, data analysis, trade studies, design reviews, and field testing. They work directly with founders and engineers on flight hardware and real-world system development.

Design and own guidance, navigation, and control systems for high-speed interceptors. Develop guidance laws, flight-control loops, actuator models, state-estimation and sensor-fusion pipelines, and high-fidelity 6DOF simulations. Build embedded real-time GNC software, conduct hardware-in-the-loop and ground intercept testing, and analyze Monte Carlo and worst-case results. Collaborate with sensing, perception, propulsion, actuation, embedded, and vehicle-design teams to deliver reliable autopilot performance.

Owns radar seeker system development from RF front-end and antenna integration through real-time signal processing, sensor fusion, target tracking, and interceptor guidance interfaces. Responsibilities include developing Doppler, CFAR, range-Doppler, clutter, and ECM rejection algorithms; integrating radar hardware and high-speed interfaces; building RF test rigs; and conducting hardware-in-the-loop verification using anechoic chambers, radar scene generators, and flight dynamics models.

Supports business development for defense and space systems by engaging DoD customers, preparing proposals and briefing materials, analyzing defense programs and markets, and assisting with partner outreach. The intern will gain exposure to government acquisition, customer calls, strategy discussions, and defense startup operations. Domestic travel to military bases and conferences may occur.

Designs, analyzes, prototypes, tests, and integrates propulsion and dispersal hardware for high-acceleration aerospace systems. Responsibilities include solid rocket motor and grain design, internal ballistics, combustion and thermal analysis, high-pressure hardware, valves, sensors, impulse-transfer mechanisms, CFD/CEA/FEA modeling, static fires, pressure and thermal testing, instrumentation, qualification, and cross-functional system integration. The role requires hands-on energetic-materials and propulsion test experience, strict safety compliance, and ownership from concept through qualification.

Build and maintain high-fidelity physics and end-to-end simulation models for interceptors, targets, sensors, guidance systems, aerodynamics, thermal effects, and dispersal behavior. Run Monte Carlo analyses, parameter sweeps, and probabilistic evaluations to guide system-level design decisions. Integrate models with test data and engineering systems, develop MATLAB/Python/C++ simulation infrastructure and visualization tools, and validate results against analytical or experimental data.