2026 Thermal Engineering Intern - Redondo Beach CA
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: No Description At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.Northrop Grumman is a space pioneer, supporting government, civil and commercial customers in solving their biggest challenges. Our forward-leaning, innovative spirit is backed by a legacy of expertise that began at the dawn of the space age. Our mission experience in space runs deep, we know our customers well, and our capabilities are unmatched. This is what allows us to provide reliable, agile and affordable space solutions to best serve our customers.
From defending freedom to advancing human discovery, we are defining what is possible in space every day.
An internship at Northrop Grumman is unique. Sure, you'll learn new skills, explore our enterprise, network with experts, connect with thought leaders, and finish with a resume that opens doors. But you'll gain something even more valuable: pride in what you've done. Join us and launch your career. We'll support you with training, employee resource groups, and our shared vision of global security.
Northrop Grumman is seeking a Thermal Engineer for an internship opportunity. This position will be located at our Space sector in Redondo Beach, CA.
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The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman's Vehicle Thermal Controls (TCS) team within the Western Region Vehicle and Software Engineering Directorate. The intern will support the end-to-end development of vehicle thermal architectures, perform thermal design and analysis for spacecraft subsystems, and assist in testing and verification activities. This role offers exposure to cutting-edge thermal technologies such as heat pipes, capillary pump loops, advanced coatings, and two-phase flow systems.
Roles and Responsibilities
Strong foundation in heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation).
Experience with thermal analysis to perform steady-state and transient heat-transfer calculations (hand calculations, spreadsheets, basic simulation).
Ability to interpret thermal requirements and translate them into design concepts.
Assist in defining and managing TCS (Thermal Control System) functional and design requirements.
Contribute to the creation of thermal hardware specifications and integration plans.
Model spacecraft subsystems, payloads, and directed-energy components using industry tools.
Thermal testing; support hardware test setup, data acquisition, and post-test analysis.
Participate in test execution, anomaly investigation, and reporting.
Translate system-level thermal budgets into detailed component requirements.
Verify compliance through analysis, simulation, and test results.
Conduct preliminary studies on heat-pipe, looped heat-pipe, and capillary pump loop performance.
Evaluate advanced thermal materials (MLI, coatings, doublers) for mass-efficiency and reliability.
Produce clear technical documents, design reviews, and status reports.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (structures, power, avionics, propulsion).
Basic Qualifications
A candidate must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:
Be a student who is enrolled full-time and pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college/university and will be enrolled full time in Fall 2026
Be majoring in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering or STEM degree
Be available to work full-time (40 hours per week) for at least 10 weeks during summer 2026.
Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
Preferred Qualifications:
Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher
Previous internship/co-op experience, leadership & teamwork capabilities, interpersonal communication skills, and activities (professional/community/extracurricular).
Self-motivation, willingness to learn, and interest in working in a team environment.
Intern Pay Range:*
Bachelor's: $20.50 to $38.00 per hour
Master's: $29.75 to $46.75 per hour
At Northrop Grumman, our internship pay rates are standardized and take into account three main factors: the anticipated graduation date of the individual, the cost of labor of the geographic location, and whether the internship is considered technical or administrative.
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The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- HSA
- HSA With Employer Contribution
- On-Site Gym
- Pet Insurance
- Mental Health Benefits
- Virtual Fitness Classes
Parental Benefits
- Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
- Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
- Fertility Benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
- Adoption Leave
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Remote Work Opportunities
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
- Four-Day Work Week
Office Life and Perks
- Commuter Benefits Program
- Company Outings
- On-Site Cafeteria
- Holiday Events
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Sabbatical
- Leave of Absence
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K)
- 401(K) With Company Matching
- Performance Bonus
- Relocation Assistance
- Financial Counseling
- Profit Sharing
Professional Development
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Promote From Within
- Mentor Program
- Shadowing Opportunities
- Access to Online Courses
- Lunch and Learns
- Internship Program
- Leadership Training Program
- Associate or Rotational Training Program
Diversity and Inclusion
Company Videos
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