2027 Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Graduate Intern

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance programs

Relocation assistance

Telework options

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a driven GNC intern to support launch vehicle and missile systems analysis at our El Segundo, CA facility. You will help develop models and tools for guidance, navigation, and control tasks while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.

Ideal candidates are enrolled in a Master’s/PhD program in aerospace or mechanical engineering, ready to work full-time for 10 weeks, and able to obtain a security clearance.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Master’s/PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering; full-time for 10 weeks outside of university term.
• Bachelor's degree completed by internship start date; minimum GPA 3.0.
• Some knowledge of control systems, dynamics, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, or guidance and navigation of aerospace vehicles.
• Experience with modeling and simulations for (linear or nonlinear) dynamic systems.
• Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, C++, or Fortran.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance; US citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Develop mathematical models and high‑fidelity simulations of launch vehicles from fundamental dynamics and physics.
• Create tools to analyze flight control, guidance, and state estimation algorithms.
• Support software tools for time and frequency domain controls analysis.
• Analyze launch and upper‑stage guidance and navigation systems and assess sensor data usage.
• Perform trajectory studies and error/orbital perturbation analyses.
• Prepare technical reports and briefings for analysts and management.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

C++

Fortran

Control systems

Flight dynamics

Statistical methods

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree completed

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro‑mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.

The Guidance Analysis Department is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Intern to provide GNC support for launch vehicle, missile systems, and missile defense systems for a wide range of customers including the Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC), the Missile Defense Agency, and other civil customers (e.g. NASA). The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop mathematical models and high‑fidelity computational simulations of launch vehicles from fundamental principles of dynamics and physics
• Develop computational tools to analyze the performance of launch vehicle flight control systems, guidance, and/or navigation (state estimation) algorithms
• Develop and support software tools to perform time and frequency domain controls analysis
• Perform analyses of launch and upper‑stage vehicle guidance and navigation systems, including the performance of guidance algorithms and use of inertial systems, GPS, and other sensors
• Perform trajectory studies and conduct error and orbital perturbation analyses
• Perform statistical analyses of launch vehicle trajectories, maneuvers, and targeting accuracy
• Support multiple programs and work both independently and with interdisciplinary teams
• Verify contractor designs, approaches, and overall launch vehicle GNC performance
• Study and evaluate current and future launch vehicle GNC system designs and algorithms
• Prepare technical reports and briefings to be presented to other analysts and management
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed
• Training and mentorship will be provided

Corporate Skills You’ll Bring

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Must work well in a team environment
• Possess organizational, time management and project management skills
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements: Currently enrolled fulltime in an accredited college/university program pursuing a Master's/PhD degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related discipline; Availability to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside of university term and ability to return to a Master's/Phd degree program full-time after completion of the internship; Bachelor's degree completed by internship start date; Minimum GPA of 3.0; Some knowledge of one or more of the following: control systems, kinematics/dynamics, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, or guidance and navigation of aerospace vehicles; Some experience with modeling and simulations for (linear or nonlinear) dynamic systems; Some knowledge of statistical methods and analysis; Proficiency with one or more of the following tools: Python, MATLAB, C++, Fortran; This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government; U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance; Transcripts required.

Temporary housing assistance is not available.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade‑based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills (Min - Max) $32.00 - $38.00 Pay Basis: Hourly.

Leadership Competencies

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry‑leading benefits. Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company‑paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] . You can also review "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal."

You are all unique,...

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Right Place

The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path

Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose

We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Return to the Aerospace Careers site.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.