Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineering Development Program (3 Months - Path to Hire)

Space Kinetic Corp.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 31,684 - 42,705; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Job summary

Space Kinetic is seeking a highly motivated GNC-focused intern to join our Development Program at our El Segundo, CA headquarters. This full-time, onsite program offers mentorship, project ownership, and exposure to cutting-edge dual-use space tech.

You’ll work on 6-DOF modeling, uncertainty analysis, and software development to help achieve a flight demo within two years, in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• Graduate with Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
• Coding in C++, Python and/or Rust
• Experience with MATLAB/SIMULINK
• Ability to obtain Government Security Clearance
• Strong analytical, detail-oriented mindset

Responsibilities

• Support Engineering to design and build prototypes of core technology for a flight demo within two years
• Work with the GNC team to enhance the design architecture for Flight Development
• Involve 6-DOF modeling, uncertainty analysis, and state estimation, control theory
• Contribute to software development and analysis
• Collaborate in a fast-paced startup environment

Skills

C++

Python

Rust

MATLAB/SIMULINK

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Master's or PhD in related field (preferred)

Tools

MATLAB/SIMULINK

Job description

Who We Are:

Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attritable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.

Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attritable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.

Our Development Program:

This is a full-time, onsite program requiring a commitment of 40 hours per week for three months at our headquarters in El Segundo, California.

Our Development Program is a pathway to a career at Space Kinetic. We hire recent graduates who are eager to solve cutting edge technical problems and contribute to high consequence dual use space missions. Interns become part of our core technical, operations, and business teams, work on mission‑critical projects, and are evaluated for long‑term career opportunities based on performance, initiative, collaboration, and ownership. Outstanding interns may receive a full‑time employment offer before or upon completion of the program. Qualified participants relocating for the program may be eligible for a housing stipend, and applications are accepted year‑round based on hiring needs.

Over the three‑month program you are paired with a mentor, assigned one to three meaningful projects, and provide monthly progress updates to the Leadership team.

What You’ll Do:

As a Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) team member, you will support Engineering to help design and build prototypes for Space Kinetic’s core technology to achieve our mission of a flight demo within the next 2 years in a fast‑paced startup environment. You will work with the Space Kinetic GNC team to enhance the current design architecture as we prepare for Flight Development. This role will involve 6‑DOF modeling, uncertainty analysis and state estimation, control theory, as well as software development and analysis.

What It Takes:

• A Graduate with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related major at an accredited college or university
• Coding experience in C++, Python and/or Rust
• Experience with MATLAB/SIMULINK
• Ability to work with minimal direction or support and to learn quickly; strong analytical skills; creative and innovative thinking; detail‑oriented; calm under pressure; commitment to follow‑through; enthusiastic with a talent for motivating others; receptive to career coaching and open to others' ideas; and effective in written communication.
• Ability to maintain or obtain Government Security Clearance.

What We’d Love:

• Master's degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. Compensation will be commensurate with experience, education, and demonstrated technical depth.
• Knowledgeable of Dynamics and Kinematics
• Previous experience with Control Systems (Sensor Fusion, Kalman Filtering, IMU)

Where You’ll Be:

• The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA.

Compensation: $27.00/hr.

Pay Range: $27 USD - $27 USD

The hourly base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.

Individual pay will be determined on a case‑based basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job‑related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.

ITAR Requirements:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here

• 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.
• 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.

Pay Range: $27 USD - $27 USD