Recent College Graduate and Intern Information
How do I apply for an internship?
All interested students should send his/her resume directly to our interns mailbox at interns@orbital.com
What type of majors do you typically recruit for?
Typically, Orbital focuses on the following disciplines:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Accounting
I previously interned at Orbital and will soon graduate. What’s the process for applying?
Prior interns are encouraged to apply directly online. Once you have submitted your resume, feel free to contact the recruiting department and let them know that you have applied to the position and you are interested in joining Orbital as a full time employee.
Which of Orbital’s locations hire recent graduates?
All of Orbital’s locations hire recent college graduates. To learn more about what each of our five locations specialize in, please click on the specific location links on the left. Once you have identified a location that you would like to work at, you can view all the available job opportunities under the Search Jobs Postings link on the left.
If I am interested in more than one location, should I apply to multiple requisitions?
Yes, each Orbital location has their own recruiting department and has specific requisitions open for their site. It is recommended that if you are interested in multiple locations, you apply to the appropriate open requisition that relates to each location.
I have looked at the college recruiting schedule and Orbital will not be visiting my school. What should I do?
Although Orbital tries to visit as many schools as possible, we are not able to make it to every school that we hire graduates from. Even if we did not visit your school, we’d still like you to apply! Please view all of our current positions and apply directly to the job requisition that matches your skill set. Also, please check back periodically as we add new schools to our schedule.
What are the requirements to apply for a position that is posted on Orbital.com?
To be eligible for employment, you must be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, Asylee, Refugee or lawful temporary resident under an amnesty program.
What is the process for applying for a position within Orbital?
Once you identify a position that you are interested in, please submit your resume directly for that requisition. After Orbital receives your resume, a recruiter will review your resume to determine if you are a qualified match. In the event that your skills match a current need and the business unit expresses interest, we will contact you for an interview
Innovative Thinking Encouraged - Warp 10 Project
“Innovation is central to Orbital's culture, and there is no better source of innovation than Orbital's employees. Orbital's Warp10 Project is an initiative that encourages employees to submit their ideas directly to Orbital's senior management, including the CEO. All employees, whether they are 20-year industry veterans or freshout new hires, can participate and take an active role in presenting and executing their ideas for new products, processes or business models. So, come join us at Orbital and help us innovate for the future!”
-- Bhavesh Patel
Senior Director, Corporate Strategy and Development
Warp10 Innovation Project Manager
Orbital is known throughout the space industry for its innovative products such as Pegasus, MicroStar, Orbital Boost Vehicle, Star GEO satellites, DART autonomous rendezvous experiment, the Dawn spacecraft, the Coyote supersonic target, the Cargo Transport Containers for the Space Station, and the GPS-based OrbCAD fleet management product. The company has introduced 15 major innovations over the past 10 years. This innovation stream is important to continue fueling the future growth of the company.
The Warp-10 Project, Orbital's Innovation Incubator, is designed to encourage and assist employees to imagine, invent and implement growth-enhancing innovative ideas. The Warp-10 Project is administered by a task force comprised of representatives from all operating groups.
The task force reviews employee proposals. They select the most promising for future development to include limited funding, time at work and business planning advise. The task force conducts a later review and proposals may be selected for full implementation. If selected, the employee is given the opportunity to play a leading role on the implementation team.
Intern Social Events
In addition to gaining valuable job experience, professional development and the satisfaction of embracing real-world challenges, Orbital’s goal for our summer interns is to enhance their overall experience through both social and educational activities.
Various activities are offered to provide opportunities in which interns will:
- Develop a network with their peers
- Gain an appreciation for the various geographical areas where Orbital's offices are located
- Demonstrate that Orbital is a company with the ability to balance work and fun
A sampling of some of our 2006 summer activities included:
- Lunch with the CEO
- Brown Bag Lunches focusing on the functions of the business groups within Orbital
- Participation in the Orbital Academy (weekly classes conducted by Orbital employees covering various topics related to Orbital’s business)
- A trip to the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar Hazy Center, followed by a pizza party
- Washington Nationals Baseball Game
- Day at the Water Park
Orbital is committed to helping our college graduates adjust to their new working environment and in many cases the new living environment. We understand that getting your first job is a very big step, however, getting a job isn’t always the only challenge ---finding people you can relate to and socialize with is also very important.
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Freshout Welcoming Committee
Orbital has implemented a “Freshout Welcoming Committee” to ease the transition of our new graduates. The purpose of this group is to give our new hires the chance to meet their peers who work in different divisions within Orbital whom they may not typically have an opportunity to meet. This group meets after work, typically in a social setting.
A sampling of some of our 2006 activities include:
College Invitational
To further our goal of recruiting the best and brightest students in the country, Orbital hosts an annual College Invitational. Selected students, chosen from visits at college recruiting events, are flown to the Dulles, Virginia Headquarters for this exciting, all-day event.
Lunch with the CEO and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Satellite Manufacturing Facility and Mission Control Center are just a few of the activities scheduled. Most importantly, students will interview with hiring managers and have an opportunity to ask questions about projects and career paths. The result: an in-depth look at Orbital’s work environment and cutting-edge products.
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Recent College Graduate Quotes
“Deciding to start my professional career at Orbital has turned out to be the best decision I could have made… I work in small teams and am able to develop strong professional relationships with everyone I collaborate with. I feel fortunate to be part of such a supportive work environment, where I feel that I have mentors instead of supervisors. I also like that I am challenged every day and my job is never dull. Being in the space industry is something that I have always wanted to do and I feel that I work in the perfect company to excel in the industry.”
Scotty Fahs, University of Michigan ’05
Engineer, Advanced Systems in Business Development
Space Systems Group
“I always wanted a work environment that was challenging, welcoming, and provided continuous growth as an Engineer and person. Working at Orbital has helped in achieving these goals far beyond my expectations.”
Brandi Atwell, Virginia Tech ’05
Associate Engineer, Mechanical Engineering in Integration & Test
Space Systems Group
“At Orbital, I have gained practical engineering knowledge through a network of bright, experienced co-workers that are ready and willing to share their knowledge. It’s a great feeling knowing that I am applying what I learned in college to important and performance-critical projects. Orbital has made my transition to the real world very easy. I enjoy a very flexible working schedule, intelligent and friendly co-workers, and a great working environment.”
Edgar Terrero, MIT ’05
Associate Engineer, Software Engineering in Simulations
Space Systems Group
“With the mentor system here at Orbital, I've been able to come in and hit the ground running. Immediately getting put onto a project and thrust into the action has been an incredible way to learn to do real engineering… my mentor took the raw engineering skills I learned in school and has shown me how they're used now that I'm in the real world.”
Kristin Pilotte, University of Maryland ’05
Associate Engineer, Electronic Packaging
Space Systems Group
“Orbital is a great place to work at if you don't want to get lost in one of those huge aerospace companies… the work atmosphere is great, everyone here is really dedicated, but they also know when to have a good time as well.”
Matt Cheplak, Georgia Tech ’05
Engineer, Systems Engineering
Space Systems Group
“I've been working at Orbital for 7 months now and really enjoy the work I've been given. As a part of the mechanical analysis group I perform structural analysis for multiple programs. I enjoy the challenge of new tasks and the exposure to such a variety of projects.”
Lisa Chandler, MIT ’05
Associate Engineer, Mechanical Engineering
Launch Systems Group
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