GNC Internship: Reentry Vehicle Guidance & Controls (LA)

Varda Space; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Commuter benefit

Paid holidays

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance (100

Wellness reimbursement

Relocation support

Lyft or car rental credit

EV charging

Job summary

Varda Space is seeking a GNC intern to support end-to-end performance for our reentry vehicles. You will work on 6DOF simulations, sensor integrations, and control algorithm development in a collaborative startup setting in Los Angeles, CA.

Ideal candidates will have a background in orbital mechanics and flight dynamics, with experience in C++ or Python and exposure to simulation tools like GMAT, POST2, and MATLAB/Simulink.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an undergrad or grad program with an aerospace focus.
• Solid understanding of orbital mechanics and flight dynamics.
• Experience with 6DOF simulations and trajectory optimization.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, model, and simulate reentry vehicle dynamics as part of the GNC team.
• Integrate and test GNC sensors, actuators, and software in simulations and hardware-in-the-loop.
• Develop tooling to automate maneuver planning and scheduling decisions.
• Design autonomous attitude control, collision avoidance, rendezvous, burn planning, and re-entry algorithms.
• Perform trajectory design and dispersion analysis for reentry of space capsules.

Skills

GNC internship

Orbital mechanics

Flight dynamics

Trajectory design

6DOF simulations

Navigation solutions

GNC algorithms

Monte Carlo analysis

C++ or Python

Education

Active student in accredited undergraduate/graduate program

Tools

GMAT

POST2

MATLAB/Simulink

Orbital simulation frameworks

HIL tooling

Job description

Varda Space is seeking a GNC intern to support end-to-end performance for our reentry vehicles. You will work on 6DOF simulations, sensor integrations, and control algorithm development in a collaborative startup setting in Los Angeles, CA.

Ideal candidates will have a background in orbital mechanics and flight dynamics, with experience in C++ or Python and exposure to simulation tools like GMAT, POST2, and MATLAB/Simulink.