Guidance, Navigation, and Control Intern (Summer 2027)

Impulsespace; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

Job summary

Impulse Space in Boulder, CO is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Intern for Summer 2027. You will support GNC analysis, test, and flight operations of spacecraft, collaborating with software, propulsion, and hardware engineers.

This 12-week internship runs May through August/September 2027 on-site in Colorado. You will implement and improve simulation models, test GNC on real hardware, and contribute to flight-code development.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a master's program in a relevant field (Aerospace, Math, Electrical Eng, etc).
• Experience with Matlab, Python, or C++ programming.
• Exposure to simulation, closed‑loop control, estimation theory or orbital mechanics.
• Ability to communicate technical challenges and rationale effectively.

Responsibilities

• Implement and improve simulation models.
• Characterize on-orbit performance of GNC functions.
• Test GNC functionality on real hardware and support flight development.
• Write robust, tested flight code.

Skills

Matlab

Python

C++

Communication

Education

Master's program in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

Version control

Simulation tools

Testing hardware

Job description

Guidance, Navigation, and Control Intern (Summer 2027)

Department: Internship

Employment Type: Internship

Location: Boulder County

Reporting To: Bryan Rogler

Compensation: $30.00 / hour

Description

As a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Intern your core responsibility will be to support GNC analysis, test, and flight operations of spacecraft that are flying and to be built. You will work with software engineers, propulsion engineers, and others. You will have the opportunity to contribute to various aspects of spacecraft development, including mission analysis, testing of new flight-hardware, automation of analysis and test, and writing simulation and flight code.

*This internship is 12 weeks long from May/June through August/September 2027

Responsibilities

• Implement and improve simulation models
• Characterize on-orbit performance of GNC functions
• Test GNC functionality on real hardware, supporting Mira and Helios development and delivery
• Write robust, reviewed, and tested code for flight

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a master’s program in Aerospace Engineering, Math, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Experience with quality Matlab, Python, and/or C++ programming
• Experience in any of the following:
  • Simulation
  • Closed-loop control design
  • Estimation theory
  • Orbital mechanics
• Ability to communicate technical challenges, explain rationale and resolve concerns

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in attitude determination and control for spacecraft
• Experience operating spacecraft and reviewing flight data
• Experience working collaboratively on a team with a mix of hardware and software engineers
• Experience working in a vehicle development environment (cars, planes, rockets, satellites, drones, boats, etc)
• Experience using version control, test cases, and other software best practices

Additional Requirements:

• Willing and able to work on-site in Louisville, CO for the duration of the internship
• This position may require overtime hours; interns are eligible for overtime pay.

Additional Information:

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.