GNC Engineering Intern – Summer 2027

K2 Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Travel stipend

Job summary

K2 Space is seeking a stellar GNC Intern to join our team for a 3-month internship. You will work with GNC engineers to develop models in our in-house 6DoF simulation, test GNC algorithms for attitude and orbit control, and support on-orbit operations.

Join a fast-growing team in Torrance and gain hands-on experience with space-grade flight software verification and validation, while maintaining significant ownership and autonomy.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's program in aerospace, mechanical, or other relevant engineering discipline.
• 6+ months of experience applying technical engineering skills outside of the university classroom setting (e.g., laboratory, research, extracurricular project teams, volunteering, personal projects or prior internship/work experience)
• Experience with Python, Julia, C/C++, or Matlab for algorithm development, implementation, and simulation.

Responsibilities

• Develop a novel high-level vehicle architecture with other engineers.
• Develop novel algorithms for precise pointing, state estimation, orbit transfer, mission design, and station-keeping of very large structures in earth orbit and beyond.
• Test these novel algorithms in unit testing and an integrated simulation and HITL environment.
• Develop models and simulations for high fidelity spacecraft actuators, sensors, and dynamics.
• Support actuator and sensor hardware trades for K2’s next generation spacecraft.

Skills

Python

Julia

C/C++

Matlab

Education

Bachelor's in aerospace/mechanical or related engineering

Job description

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.

The Role

We’relooking for a stellar GNC Intern to join our team for a3monthinternship. Working closely with our GNC engineers, you willbe responsible fordeveloping models in our in-house 6DoFsimulation, testing and developing GNC algorithms for attitude and orbit control to support spacecraft operations,supportingactualon-orbit operations of spacecraft,andassistingin the verification and validation of space-grade flight software. K2 Space is a highly collaborativeenvironment,and our interns will be encouraged to work with mentors and other team members to execute complex projects whilemaintaininga significant level of ownership and autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Work with other engineers to develop a novel high-level vehicle architecture
• Develop novel algorithms for precise pointing, state estimation, orbit transfer, mission design, and station-keeping ofvery largestructures in earth orbit and beyond
• Test these novel algorithms in unit testing and an integrated simulation and HITL environment
• Develop models and simulations for high fidelity spacecraft actuators, sensors, and dynamics
• Support actuator and sensor hardware trades for K2’s next generation spacecraft

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in aBachelor’sprogram in aerospace, mechanical, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 6+ months of experience applying technical engineering skills outside of the university classroom setting (eg: laboratory, research, extracurricular project teams, volunteering, personalprojectsor prior internship/work experience)
• Experience with Python, Julia, C/C++, orMatlabfor algorithm development, implementation, and simulation

Additional Requirements

• Available for a minimum 12-week internship in person at our HQ in Torrance

Nice to Have

• Currently enrolled in aMaster’sor PhD program in aerospace, mechanical, or other relevant engineering discipline
• Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic professional setting with changing needs and requirements
• Experience with Rust for algorithm development, implementation, and simulation
• Demonstrated ability with GNC actuator or sensor sizing,selection, and system design within an integrated engineering team outside a classroom setting
• Demonstrated understanding of trajectory analysis, modeling, and mission design

Compensation

• Hourly pay range for this non-exempt role is $30 - $40 per hour
• Hourly rate will be based on several factors including, but not limitedto:knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
• Housing and travel stipend may also be available

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

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