Commercial Spaceflight Federation

Are you a recent graduate - or someone about to graduate in December - who is passionate about commercial spaceflight? Are you interested in entrepreneurship, business, “big picture” policy decisions, and humanity’s future in space? Are you interested in accelerating your career by tackling challenges that most people your age would never get to work on, while getting to meet and work with successful CEOs? And would you like to contribute to opening up the space frontier to everyone?
The growth of the commercial space industry is enabling the Commercial Spaceflight Federation to expand its staff and therefore we are accepting applicants for a new immediate job opening. Located two blocks from the White House, the Commercial Spaceflight Federation is an industry group with over 40 company members including SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, Sierra Nevada Space Systems, Bigelow Aerospace, Blue Origin, XCOR Aerospace, Masten Space Systems, Scaled Composites, and many others. The Commercial Spaceflight Federation, which is led by a CEO-level Board of Directors, is located at the epicenter of this fast-paced industry, playing a key role during this pivotal time.
In joining the CSF team, you will work with the CSF Executive Director and CSF Associate Director to fulfill our exciting, challenging, and world-changing goals. CSF promotes the development of commercial spaceflight through policy and advocacy work with Congress, the White House, and NASA, as well as regulatory and technical work with the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA-AST) and outreach to national and international media. CSF staff handle a diverse range of tasks including: research and analysis, policy and advocacy, education and public outreach, running and growing a nonprofit organization, technical regulatory topics, industry and governmental relations, business operations, and articulating our exciting vision for humanity's future in space. At CSF, you will solve these types of challenges, and you will be in a position to pursue new projects and ideas of your own choosing as well. Joining the CSF offers the opportunity to gain professional experience that will be invaluable to anyone whose long-term career goals include being a entrepreneur, program manager, CEO, technical leader, or senior policy-maker. As a CSF staffer you will work with our industry CEOs and attend our closed-door CSF Board of Directors Meetings.
This job opening is ideal for anyone with an educational background in engineering or science who likes to think about “big picture” issues, is interested in learning about the business, politics, and economics of spaceflight, and would like to work on issues that affect tens of thousands of people. The successful candidate will be energetic, a great writer, able to thrive in a fast-paced environment, personable, and passionate about commercial spaceflight. Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree with engineering or science degrees being a strong plus. Excellent research, writing, and organizational skills are a must. A history of top-notch accomplishments such as engineering internships, participation in the NASA Academy, leadership roles in clubs such as AIAA and SEDS, and entrepreneurial experience are also a plus.

To apply, please send a short cover letter and resume to CSF Associate Director Matthew Isakowitz at matt@commercialspaceflight.org with the subject heading “CSF job opening.” Please apply as soon as possible as we will conduct interviews on a rolling basis.

Deadline: December 5, 2011

Space-X

At SpaceX, you will obtain invaluable hands-on technical experience that you can't learn in a classroom. Our engineers will teach you to roll up your sleeves and apply text book theory and lab experience to creating solutions for real aerospace challenges. You will gain hands-on experience by participating in actual space hardware development projects. Our internship program is a great introduction to a wide range of technical pursuits. Each year SpaceX hires numerous new graduates with many coming from past SpaceX internships.

Deadline: Varying
Location: McGregor, TX, Hawthorne, CA, & Cape Canaveral, FL.
Website: http://www.spacex.com/newgrads.php

Rocket Lab: New Zealand

Rocket Lab is a privately owned rocket science company, offering rapid, intelligent solutions to complex aerospace problems. This company does not openly advertise internships, but applications are accepted through email.

Deadline:
Location: New Zealand
Website: http://www.rocketlab.co.nz/company-profile.html

Masten Space Systems

Masten Space Systems is an aerospace R&D startup company that is working to create reliable and reusable rocket vehicles and components. As part of their ongoing propulsion and flight vehicle development projects, they offer full-time internships during three periods per year. Applicants must be able to commit to 3 full months, and may stay longer than that if possible. The dates for the internships are flexible, as we recognize that different schools set their academic dates differently.
The Website is out-of-date, but they are still accepting applications.

Deadline:
Location: Mojave, CA
Website: http://masten-space.com/opencats/careers/index.php?m=careers&p=showJob&ID=6

Student Volunteer Service Project

The Student Volunteer Service Project gives qualified students a means to volunteer their services to the Marshall Space Flight Center, gain work experience and knowledge and engage in early career exploration. Selected students who show outstanding promise, particularly in scientific subjects, are allowed to work on a nonpaying, voluntary basis at Marshall during a specific time and under the direction of a designated MSFC employee. Participation is limited to students who are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years of age, and at least a junior in high school.

Deadline: None
Location: Marshall Space Flight Center
Website: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/descriptions/Student_Volunteer_Service_Project.html