2027 Navigation Summer Internship

Advanced-Space; Westminster (CO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Mentorship by technical staff

Hands-on space missions

Job summary

Advanced Space in Westminster, Colorado is seeking a 2027 Navigation Summer Intern to join our astrodynamics team. You will contribute to spacecraft navigation, trajectory analysis, and mission design projects while mentored by experienced engineers.

This onsite internship offers hands-on experience with real missions to the Moon and beyond, opportunities to apply programming and numerical methods, and active participation in research tied to space missions.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Strong foundation in orbital mechanics and programming.
• Interest in spacecraft navigation, mission design, guidance and control.

Responsibilities

• Support spacecraft navigation and astrodynamics projects.
• Assist with trajectory analysis and mission design concepts.
• Present project results through reports and discussions.

Skills

orbital mechanics

computer programming

spacecraft navigation

estimation theory

Education

Pursuing degree in Aerospace Engineering

Pursuing degree in Physics or Mathematics

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Numerical methods

Job description

Advanced Space | 2027 Summer Internship | Onsite

We’re going to the Moon. Think you’ve got what it takes?

About the Role

At Advanced Space, we’re enabling humanity’s return to the Moon and building the technologies that will take us to Mars and beyond. We’re looking for a 2027 Navigation Summer Intern to join our astrodynamics team and contribute to innovative spacecraft navigation and mission design projects.

As a Navigation Intern, you’ll work alongside experienced technical staff who will provide mentorship and guidance throughout your internship. You’ll gain hands‑on experience solving complex navigation challenges, conducting technical research, and supporting projects connected to real space missions.

This internship is ideal for students passionate about orbital mechanics, spacecraft navigation, and the future of space exploration. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your technical skills while learning from engineers developing navigation solutions for missions to the Moon and beyond.

About Advanced Space

Advanced Space exists to enable the sustainable exploration, development, and settlement of space through innovative software, mission services, and technology solutions. As the owner and operator of NASA's CAPSTONE mission and the Prime Contractor for AFRL's Oracle mission, we’re helping shape the future of cislunar exploration while supporting commercial, civil, and national security customers.

Our team combines deep technical expertise with an entrepreneurial mindset. We move quickly, collaborate across disciplines, and empower every engineer to make meaningful contributions. If you’re passionate about solving challenging problems and seeing your work fly in space, you’ll fit right in.

What You’ll Actually Do

Support spacecraft navigation and astrodynamics projects.

Work alongside technical staff on summer projects focused on spacecraft navigation, trajectory analysis, and advanced mission design concepts.

Contribute to projects involving areas such as:

• Applications of Kalman Filters
• Assessing navigation algorithm performance
• Fusing various measurement simulation and processing
• Developing nonlinear filtering algorithms
• AI and machine learning applications for spacecraft navigation
• Navigation analysis for future flight programs
• Navigation studies and operations using real flight data

Apply engineering and programming skills.

Use your knowledge of orbital mechanics, programming, and numerical methods to support spacecraft navigation analysis and research.

Share your work and findings.

Present project results through technical reports, presentations, and discussions with members of the astrodynamics and navigation teams.

Who Thrives Here

• You are currently pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or another engineering discipline.
• You have a strong foundation in orbital mechanics and computer programming.
• You have an interest in spacecraft navigation, mission design, guidance and control, optimization, or estimation theory.
• You enjoy solving complex technical problems and exploring new approaches to space mission challenges.
• You have completed coursework or research related to astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, or space systems.
• You are curious, collaborative, and excited to learn from experienced aerospace engineers.

Bonus Points if You Have Experience With

• Undergraduate or graduate research in orbital mechanics or astrodynamics
• Spacecraft navigation or orbit determination concepts
• Guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems
• Optimization techniques and numerical methods
• Three-body dynamics and periodic orbit analysis
• Python, MATLAB, or other scientific computing languages
• Machine learning applications in aerospace

Success is Measured By

• Successfully contributing to spacecraft navigation and astrodynamics projects.
• Applying engineering knowledge to real‑world spaceflight challenges.
• Developing technical skills through mentorship and hands‑on experience.
• Communicating technical findings clearly through reports and presentations.
• Building a strong foundation for a future career in spacecraft mission design and navigation.

Why Join Advanced Space

• Gain hands‑on experience supporting real missions to the Moon and beyond.
• Work alongside engineers solving some of the most challenging problems in space exploration.
• Apply classroom knowledge to real aerospace projects.
• Receive mentorship and guidance from experienced technical staff.
• Be part of a team that’s passionate about delivering innovation to orbit—and beyond.
• Competitive internship compensation: $26–$35/hour
• Housing stipend
• Mentorship and guidance from technical staff
• Opportunities to contribute to research projects directly tied to active space missions
• Collaborative work environment at our Westminster, Colorado headquarters

Advanced Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.