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Internship Payload Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... payloads through space without firing a thruster. Space Kinetic is currently assembling its TRL-5 ... This internship is a paid position with both full and part-time employment opportunities available.

Antenna Intern (Fall 2026) Internships at Astranis typically last for twelve weeks, and are hourly ... As an Antenna Intern, you will work closely with mechanical, thermal, and payload system engineers ...

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Internship Payload information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Payload Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Payload Intern, you generally need a background in engineering, physics, or a related STEM field, alongside strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and programming languages like Python or MATLAB is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills that set candidates apart. These abilities ensure accurate payload design, smooth collaboration, and successful project execution in aerospace or related industries.

What kind of projects or tasks can an intern expect to work on in a Payload Internship?

As a Payload Intern, you can expect to contribute to a variety of hands-on projects that support the design, integration, and testing of payload systems, such as satellites, scientific instruments, or cargo modules. Typical responsibilities may include assisting with hardware assembly, conducting data analysis from test results, documenting procedures, and collaborating with engineers to troubleshoot issues. You'll often work within a multidisciplinary team, gaining exposure to both technical and project management aspects. This role offers the opportunity to develop practical skills and gain insight into the full lifecycle of payload development.

What are Internship Payload positions?

Internship Payload positions are entry-level internships focused on supporting the design, development, testing, or integration of payload systems in aerospace, satellite, or similar engineering fields. These roles typically involve hands-on work with payload hardware or software, data analysis, and collaboration with engineering teams to ensure mission requirements are met. Interns in these positions gain valuable experience in real-world aerospace projects, working closely with experienced professionals and learning about the challenges and technologies of payload systems.

What is the difference between Internship Payload vs Data Analyst?

AspectInternship PayloadData Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate, some technical skillsBachelor's degree in related field, technical skills often required
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, training-focused, temporaryFull-time, professional, ongoing
Employer & Industry UsageInternship programs across industries, educational institutionsBusiness, finance, healthcare, tech companies
Search & Comparison IntentLearning, entry-level opportunities, career explorationCareer development, skill enhancement, job search

Internship Payload is an entry-level, temporary position aimed at gaining experience, often for students or recent graduates. Data Analyst roles are more permanent, requiring specific skills and credentials, focusing on analyzing data to support business decisions. While both involve working with data, the internship is a stepping stone, whereas the Data Analyst position is a professional career role.

More about Internship Payload jobs
What cities are hiring for Internship Payload jobs? Cities with the most Internship Payload job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Payload jobs? The most popular types of Payload jobs are:
What states have the most Internship Payload jobs? States with the most job openings for Internship Payload jobs include:
Infographic showing various Internship Payload job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 16% Internship, 3% As Needed, 80% Full Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Hybrid job distribution.
(DoD SkillBridge) Northrop Grumman Principal OR Senior Principal Payloads Field Service Engineer

(DoD SkillBridge) Northrop Grumman Principal OR Senior Principal Payloads Field Service Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Jacksonville, FL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 336 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

102nd of 512 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
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.
NG- Military Internship Program Description:
As one of the largest global security companies in the world, Northrop Grumman is proud to help our nation's military personnel make the transition to civilian careers. Approximately 1/4th of Northrop Grumman's 90,000 employees self-identify as veterans, and more than 1,600 are reservists.
The Northrop Grumman Military Internship Program (NG-MIP) is an approved SkillBridge Program under Dept. of Defense Instruction 1322.29 .The NG-MIP program is an opportunity for transitioning service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through an individual internship during their last 6 months of service, for up to 180 days. The Northrop Grumman Military internship Program is open to all ranks and experience levels. SkillBridge participants are not eligible for compensation from Northrop Grumman, as they continue to receive military compensation and benefits as active-duty service members
Responsibilities for this internship position are:
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) has developed the Northrop Grumman - Military Internship Program (DoD SkillBridge) utilizing the DoDI guidance for SkillBridge. During this program the service member will be on-site at his or her host company performing an individual internship in an entry to mid-level career type role. The service member will be on the job training supporting a work schedule equivalent to 40hrs per week. Outlined below are the Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes for the program.
Goals - Provide transitioning service members fellowship-style job skills training during the last portion(s) of their military commitment. This program is specifically designed to offer internships that result in the potential to transition to a full-time opportunity as the conclusion of the training. Interns will serve as a pipeline for high-speed, motivated military candidates into NGC.
Objectives - Service Members who complete the Intern program will be highly-trained, capable, future employees that align to the specific needs of the organization and are prepared to meet the NG mission "Defining Possible" on Day 1. This program provides a comprehensive internship experience including professional development, networking with leadership, and training specifically focused on NG leadership principles, company history, customer/stakeholder engagement, product and service overview, and core job responsibilities.
Outcome - Offer transitioning service member a rewarding opportunity to join the Northrop Grumman team.
DoD SkillBridge Eligibility:
  • Has served at least 180 days on active duty
  • Is within 12 months of separation or retirement
  • Will receive an honorable discharge
  • Has taken any service TAPS/TGPS
  • Has attended or participated in an ethics brief within the last 12 months
  • Received Unit Commander (first O-4/Field Grade commander in chain of command) written authorization and approval to participate in DoD SkillBridge Program prior to start of internship

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal OR Senior Principal Payloads Field Service Engineer to our Mayport Field Service Engineer team. This position will be in our Avionics Integration Organization supporting MQ-4C Triton Program.
This position reports to the Operations team lead within the Mission Systems Integrated Product Team (MS IPT) and will receive daily tasking and prioritization from their site lead. The selected candidate will be responsible for operations and maintenance support of the MQ-4C Triton sensors and communications systems at a Forward Operating Base (FOB).
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Provide real time support to flight operations and maintenance, addressing any issues related to communications and/or payloads to include MFAS Radar, EO/IR, airborne recorder, and link16 to include fault isolation, remediation, and resolution
  • Coordinate work with site leadership and confirming that Maintenance Action Forms (MAFs) are in place for all required work
  • Adhere to checklists and procedures to ensure repeated success and providing redlines to procedures when necessary
  • Communicate complex technical issues to local support, the Degrader Action Cell (DAC), Main Operation Bases (MOBs), and Responsible Engineers (REs)
  • Support and lead air crew engagement for proper techniques in solving complex analysis of technical problems that arise during operations
  • Assist with trend analysis as needed for Responsible Engineers (REs)
  • Assist AVO with Main Operating Base comms (voice), networks, and other AVO interfaces
  • Attain and employ expertise across all supported sensor and communications systems

** This position requires 6+ months of training on a Domestic Assignment to San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), CA with some travel to other US locations such as Baltimore, MD and Jacksonville, FL. Final assignment location in Mayport, Florida. **
Initially, this position will work a 9/80 shift. As the program matures, the shifts may become 12-hour shifts that could include nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at the designated facility. There is no remote work available for this role. Outside of traveling for initial training, this position requires the ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
This position can be filled at either the Principal Payloads Field Service Engineer OR Senior Principal Payloads Field Service Engineer, depending upon the qualifications below.
#MPR
Basic Qualifications for Principal Payloads Field Service Engineer:
  • Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline with 1 year of related engineering experience.
  • Willingness and ability to successfully complete required training in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), CA with some travel to other US locations such as Baltimore, MD and Jacksonville, FL.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, Security+CE, CCNP, and CISSP. This certificate must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
  • Competence in Linux, troubleshooting, engineering documents, tools, and equipment
  • Familiarity with payloads operations and/or comms/networking operations
  • Must have a DoD Secret clearance that is in-scope or currently enrolled in Continuous Evaluation (CE), with the ability to obtain a Top-Secret/SCI clearance within a reasonable amount of time to meet business needs
  • Ability to obtain and maintain program access (SAP/PAR).

Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Payloads Field Service Engineer:
  • Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline with 3 years of related engineering experience.
  • Willingness and ability to successfully complete required training in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), CA with some travel to other US locations such as Baltimore, MD and Jacksonville, FL.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, Security+CE, CCNP, and CISSP. This certificate must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
  • Competence in Linux, troubleshooting, engineering documents, tools, and equipment
  • Familiarity with payloads operations and/or comms/networking operations
  • Must have a DoD Secret clearance that is in-scope or currently enrolled in Continuous Evaluation (CE), with the ability to obtain a Top-Secret/SCI clearance within a reasonable amount of time to meet business needs
  • Ability to obtain and maintain program access (SAP/PAR).

Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
  • Active DoD Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
  • Active DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, Security+CE, CCNP, and CISSP.
  • Demonstrated understanding of MQ-4C sensors and communications payloads
  • Experience with test equipment: network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators
  • MPO/TC operator system knowledge
  • System Administrator experience
  • Operations and Maintenance experience at a field site

Primary Level Salary Range: $78,700.00 - $118,100.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $98,100.00 - $147,100.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
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.

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About Northrop Grumman

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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.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939