Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) Internship - Spring 2027

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

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

Spring internships will range between the months of January and May.All dates dependent upon the university schedule of the selected students. Internships are full-time and on-site in Los Angeles, CA. To be considered for this internship, candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.

The GNC (Guidance, Navigation & Controls) team is responsible for the design, analysis, simulation, and operational performance of Varda’s reentry vehicles. In this internship, you'll help enable end-to-end GNC performance for our flight vehicles—supporting everything from 6DOF simulation and control system modeling to sensor integration and trajectory optimization.

Internships at Varda are optimal for students looking to grow technically and professionally while working on impactful projects critical to the company’s success. You will be working on a collaborative team in a startup environment while being able to learn from some of most accomplished and experienced aerospace professionals in the world. We’re dedicated to providing an experience that will let your decisions and contributions help drive Varda’s success.

Responsibilities

• As part of the GNC team, own or contribute to analysis, algorithms and simulations for reentry vehicles
• Own Integration and testing of GNC sensors, actuators and software in simulation and hardware in the loop environments
• Design and implement mission critical tooling needed to facilitate automated maneuver responsibility and scheduling decisions
• Design and implementation of autonomous satellite attitude control, collision avoidance, orbital rendezvous, burn planning and atmospheric re-entry algorithms
• Perform trajectory design, optimization, and dispersion analysis for the reentry of a space capsule

Basic Qualifications

• Previous GNC internship
• Familiar with orbital mechanics,flight dynamics, trajectory design and optimization, feedback controls, 6DOF flight simulations, navigation solutions, guidance navigation and controls flight algorithms, monte carlo analysis,
• Familiarity with C++ or python and modern software development principles

Preferred Skills And Experience

• At least one year of experience on a technical project team (e.g., CubeSat, Rocket Team, AIAA Design-Build-Fly, Formula SAE)
• Previous experience working on simulation support tools or GNC tooling for aerospace vehicles
• Familiarity with Monte Carlo analysis, navigation filters, sensor/actuator integration, or HIL simulation environments
• Experience with tools like GMAT, POST2, MATLAB/Simulink, or custom orbital simulation frameworks
• Strong communication and documentation skills

Compensation

• Hourly Rate: $33.00
• Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area
• Commuter benefit to support local transportation

Benefits for Interns

Health & Wellness

• Paidobservedholidays
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $4,000gross up in relocation support, ifeligible
• Up to $850commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happyhoursand mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

ITAR Requirements

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
"US person" means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about theE-Verify program.

E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.