2027 Guidance Navigation and Control Intern Dulles VA

Northrop Grumman; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman invites highly motivated students to join the Space Systems Intern Program in the Dulles, VA area. You will work with the GNC team on spacecraft attitude control, simulations, and integration with flight software, gaining hands-on experience in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

You will focus on GNC analysis or components, supporting design, testing, and vendor collaboration while developing practical skills in MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, and engineering tools.

Qualifications

• Pursuing undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering.
• Preferred GPA 3.7 or higher where applicable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and tune spacecraft attitude and position control loops.
• Develop and test GNC algorithms for flight software and qualification testing.
• Create simulation models for sensors, actuators, and system dynamics.
• Collaborate with suppliers and teams across subsystems on integration and testing.
• Prepare presentations of designs, analyses, and results for internal/external stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Engineering degree track (Aerospace/Electrical/Mechanical)

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

Git

SVN

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: None
TRAVEL: No

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

An internship at Northrop Grumman is unique. Sure, you’ll learn new skills, explore our enterprise, network with experts, connect with thought leaders, and finish with a resume that opens doors. But you’ll gain something even more valuable: pride in what you’ve done.

Northrop Grumman is seeking Guidance Navigation and Control to join the Space Systems Intern Program. This position will be located in Dulles, VA.

GNC is designing, building, testing spacecraft components for a mix of DoD, NASA, and commercial customers. We are leaders in innovative solutions to the rapidly growing/evolving fields of space based autonomous rendezvous and docking and rapid design/production of small satellites. We are seeking a highly-talented and ambitious Engineer to take responsibility for the attitude control solutions that meet our spacecraft requirements. The spacecraft GNC analysis engineer will work within the GNC subsystem team and under the supervision of the GNC subsystem lead.

Depending on the engineer’s strengths and areas of interest, an engineer may choose to focus on one of two areas GNC analysis or GNC components (or some combination).

A Spacecraft GNC Analysis Engineer Is Expected To

• Design, analyze, and tune spacecraft attitude and position control loops using time and frequency domain techniques
• Design, analyze, and tune sequential filters (e.g. Kalman filters) for attitude determination and relative navigation
• Analyze and test the spacecraft GNC subsystem performance using simulations and other analytic tools
• Implement GNC algorithms in flight software and support flight software qualification testing
• Perform analysis to support early design phase concept development including actuator sizing and placement, sensor selection and placement, and predicted performance assessments
• Develop simulation models for sensors (e.g. star tracker, rate gyro, accelerometer, GPS, magnetometer, sun sensors), actuators (e.g. reaction wheel, torque bar, thruster, CMG), system dynamics (e.g. rigid body, multi-body, orbit mechanics, flexible models), and the space environment (e.g. atmospheric, solar radiation pressure, third-body gravity, geopotential)

A Spacecraft GNC Component Engineer Is Expected To

• Perform GNC component trade studies (including make/buy trades and supplier identification/research). These components may include but are not limited to star cameras, lidars, GPS receivers, sun sensors, reaction wheels, IR cameras, and space based visible cameras.
• Work with the subcontracts/supply chain team as the technical lead to manage procurements including documentation and design reviews
• Work with the team to integrate and test all spacecraft GNC components
• Work closely with multiple suppliers, across multiple subsystems, presenting to managers and customers. Communication is a key element of your role

All GNC Engineers Are Expected To

• Apply engineering principles, industry standards, company process, and knowledge of vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion, classical/modern control, and estimation theory to perform tasks to advanced program/project goals
• Document designs, analysis, and test results and create presentation materials
• Present designs, analysis, and test results to internal and external customers
• Work well within small- to medium-sized groups

Basic Qualifications

• Be enrolled full-time and pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college/university AND graduating after Fall 2027
• Be majoring in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
• Be available to work full-time (40 hours per week) for at least 10 weeks during summer 2027
• Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• MS or PhD degree in engineering, physics, or math
• Minimum overall GPA of 3.7
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++
• Experience in spacecraft GNC subsystem design, analysis, and testing
• Experience implementing GNC algorithms on embedded systems
• Prior work experience in related field
• Proficiency in Microsoft office suite, version control tools such as SVN or Git
• Experience with Model Based Systems engineering, digital transformation tools such as the Atlassian suite.
• Previous/current membership or leadership roles in professional groups, clubs, or extracurricular activities is desired
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.