Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) Internship - Spring 2027
Join Varda as a GNC intern to work on impactful aerospace projects in a collaborative startup environment.
Posted by employer 2 months ago
First seen on Joblaze 2 months ago
Last verified on the company career page 4 hours ago
Skills & Technologies
Requirements
- Experience
- 1+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
Not disclosed in this posting: visa sponsorship.
Benefits
Joblaze summary
The Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) intern at Varda Space will engage in the design and analysis of reentry vehicles, focusing on simulations and sensor integration. Key skills include familiarity with orbital mechanics, flight dynamics, and programming in C++ or Python. This role is ideal for students with prior GNC experience and a background in aerospace projects, looking to deepen their technical expertise in a startup environment. Varda's team comprises seasoned professionals from leading aerospace companies, fostering a collaborative atmosphere for innovation.
Joblaze insights
Quick facts
- Is the Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) Internship - Spring 2027 role remote?
- No — this is an on-site role in El Segundo, California, United States.
- What's the salary range?
- Varda Space lists $33–$33 for this role.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 1 year of relevant experience for this Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) Internship - Spring 2027 role.
- Where is the role based?
- Varda Space is hiring for this position in El Segundo, California, United States.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: 6DOF flight simulations, C++, MATLAB, Monte Carlo analysis, Python, Simulink.
- What seniority level is this role?
- Varda Space targets intern candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Internship for this Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) Internship - Spring 2027 role at Varda Space.
From the original posting
About Varda
About This Role
Spring internships will range between the months of January and May. All dates dependent upon the university schedule of the selected students. Internships are full-time and on-site in Los Angeles, CA. To be considered for this internship, candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.
The GNC (Guidance, Navigation & Controls) team is responsible for the design, analysis, simulation, and operational performance of Varda’s reentry vehicles. In this internship, you'll help enable end-to-end GNC performance for our flight vehicles—supporting everything from 6DOF simulation and control system modeling to sensor integration and trajectory optimization.
Internships at Varda are optimal for students looking to grow technically and professionally while working on impactful projects critical to the company’s success. You will be working on a collaborative team in a startup environment while being able to learn from some of most accomplished and experienced aerospace professionals in the world. We’re dedicated to providing an experience that will let your decisions and contributions help drive Varda’s success.
Responsibilities
- As part of the GNC team, own or contribute to analysis, algorithms and simulations for reentry vehicles
- Own Integration and testing of GNC sensors, actuators and software in simulation and hardware in the loop environments
- Design and implement mission critical tooling needed to facilitate automated maneuver responsibility and scheduling decisions
- Design and implementation of autonomous satellite attitude control, collision avoidance, orbital rendezvous, burn planning and atmospheric re-entry algorithms
- Perform trajectory design, optimization, and dispersion analysis for the reentry of a space capsule
Basic Qualifications
- Previous GNC internship
- Familiar with orbital mechanics, flight dynamics, trajectory design and optimization, feedback controls, 6DOF flight simulations, navigation solutions, guidance navigation and controls flight algorithms, monte carlo analysis,
- Familiarity with C++ or python and modern software development principles
Preferred Skills And Experience
- At least one year of experience on a technical project team (e.g., CubeSat, Rocket Team, AIAA Design-Build-Fly, Formula SAE)
- Previous experience working on simulation support tools or GNC tooling for aerospace vehicles
- Familiarity with Monte Carlo analysis, navigation filters, sensor/actuator integration, or HIL simulation environments
- Experience with tools like GMAT, POST2, MATLAB/Simulink, or custom orbital simulation frameworks
- Strong communication and documentation skills
Compensation
- Hourly Rate: $33.00
- Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area
- Commuter benefit to support local transportation
Standard company text repeated across Varda Space's postings is omitted here.