The Engineering Strategic Support Unit comprises the organizational talent and technical 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.

The Ball Aerospace Internship Program is a 10-week summer program that provides interns with practical experience working on relevant projects while working with designated mentors; access to state-of-the-art equipment; a competitive wage; relocation reimbursement; in-house training; group activities; possible future employment and the ability to participate in the Ball Aerospace Remote Sensing Team (BIRST) program to build and launch a rocket or high-altitude balloon. At the conclusion of your internship, you will be required to prepare and deliver a formal presentation of your project work to your respective department.

Technical Intern – Detector Test

What You’ll Do:

• Aid in the test and evaluation of cutting-edge imaging detectors.
• Experiment and test setup design pursuant to the unique characteristics of a given detector.
• Laboratory setup.
• Detector mechanical fixture and cooling system implementation, including the use of vacuum systems, cryogenics.
• Optical setup including lenses, optical test equipment, and light sources.
• Test execution.
• Use custom electronics and software to operate the detector.
• Use electrical test equipment to debug problems.
• Data analysis / detector performance evaluation.
• Aid in the development of test equipment (electronics, software, mechanical fixtures) for detector characterization.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Support Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

What You’ll Need:

• Must have completed your sophomore or junior year and be enrolled in a degree program for the fall of 2021. We will also accept students enrolled in a post graduate 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.
• Pursuing a Science or Engineering degree (e.g. Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Microelectronic Engineering).
• Interest in Focal Plane Assemblies.
• Experience working in an electronics lab.
• Interest in building, tinkering, and testing an electrical system.
• Ability to adapt to new situations.
• Creative problem-solving abilities.
• Attention to detail.
• Desire for complete understanding of a system/problem.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Desire to learn and try new things that are potentially outside of job description.
• Experience handling hardware with delicate components (ex: optics, semiconductor fab, microelectronics).
• Experience using a Microscope.
• Hands on lab-experience, knowledge of measurement and test equipment.
• Detector experience (operation/test) is desirable.
• Experience with any of: MATLAB, IDL, LabVIEW, NumPy, C++, Verilog, VHDL.
• Experience using a microscope and/or oscilloscope.
• Electronics and software design experience is desirable.

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.
• Travel and local commute between Ball campuses and other possible non-Ball locations may be required.

Relocation for this position is available.

US CITIZENSHIP MAY BE REQUIRED

Ball Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.