Summer 2027 GNC / Autonomy Intern

AeroVironment; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K matching

9/80 schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

AeroVironment is offering a Summer Internship Program in the United States. The 12-week, onsite internship provides hands-on experience in GN&C, flight testing, software, and hardware development.

It’s designed for students or recent graduates with a 3.0+ GPA and pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant fields. Interns work with AV teams on meaningful projects, gain professional experience, and may receive relocation and housing reimbursement depending on team and location.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink is a plus.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential.
• Eligible to work in the U.S. and willing to travel domestically if needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist in GN&C system design and development for current aircraft projects.
• Support system testing, including simulation environments and basic flight test preparations.
• Help implement and test basic flight control algorithms under supervision.
• Participate in subsystem integration and data analysis activities.
• Support engineering documentation and report writing.
• Collaborate with engineering and test teams to troubleshoot and validate solutions.

Skills

MATLAB/Simulink

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, CS

GPA 3.0+

Job description

Simi Valley, CA

Huntsville, AL

Pottstown, PA

Herndon, VA

Moorpark, CA

San Luis Obispo, CA

Annapolis Junction, MD

Germantown, MD

Albuquerque, NM

Minneapolis, MN

Arlington, VA

Melbourne, FL

Petaluma, CA

San Diego, CA

Full time

8610

Worker Type

Supplemental

Job Description

Summer Internship Program Our paid Summer Internship Program is designed to provide students with an immersive, hands-on experience within the aerospace and defense industry. Interns work alongside AV team members on meaningful projects involving cutting-edge technology while developing professional relationships, strategic problem-solving skills, and practical experience in a full-time work environment.

This is a 12-week, onsite program intended for highly motivated and passionate students who are currently enrolled in college or are recent graduates. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, with a preference for students at the junior level or above.

Our program has been recognized by Yello and WayUp as one of the Top 100 Internship Programs in the United States for multiple years.

Depending on the team and location, students who are willing to relocate for their internship may be eligible for a relocation and housing reimbursement stipend.

AV offers internship opportunities across various teams and locations throughout the United States. Specific team, location, and program details will be discussed during the interview process.

We are seeking a motivated GNC Engineering Intern to join our multidisciplinary team. In this role, you will support projects related to Guidance, Navigation & Control (GN&C), flight testing, software, and hardware development. This internship offers a hands‑on learning opportunity in aerospace systems, providing exposure to flight control systems, testing procedures, and system integration. You will work under the guidance of experienced engineers and gain valuable experience in a fast-paced R&D environment.

Internship Responsibilities

• Assist in the design and development of GN&C systems for current and future aircraft projects


• Support system testing, including simulation environments (e.g., SIL/HIL) and basic flight test preparations


• Help implement and test basic flight control algorithms under supervision


• Participate in subsystem integration and data analysis activities


• Support engineering documentation and report writing


• Collaborate with engineering and test teams to troubleshoot and validate technical solutions


• Learn and apply engineering processes and tools relevant to flight systems


• Perform other duties or learning assignments as needed

Basic Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field


• Completed coursework in one or more of the following areas: GN&C, flight dynamics, control systems, embedded systems, or robotics


• Strong interest in aircraft systems, GN&C, and aerospace engineering


• Basic proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, or similar modeling tools is a plus


• Effective communication skills and a collaborative attitude


• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. and willing to travel domestically (up to 10-20%, if needed)

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with any of the following: PCB design, embedded programming, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, or flight software development


• Hands‑on project or lab experience involving control systems or autonomous vehicles (e.g., drones, robotics projects)


• Enthusiastic about learning and contributing to real‑world aerospace projects


• Ability to adapt in a dynamic team‑oriented environment

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in an office, lab, or test environment


• May require standing or sitting for extended periods and use of standard office equipment

This internship is designed to provide practical experience and skill development in aerospace engineering, particularly in the GN&C discipline. Interns will leave with a better understanding of how flight systems are developed, tested, and integrated in real‑world applications.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A "U.S. person" according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits .

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine‑launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand‑launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real‑time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission‑obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

Careers at AeroVironment (https://www.avinc.com/careers/our-team)