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Internship Flight Control System Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Design flight control systems for rockets using thrust vector control, aerodynamic surfaces, and novel actuation approaches * Develop and tune control laws (PID, LQR, nonlinear -- whatever the ...

Flight Controls Engineer

Vienna, VA ยท On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Design flight control systems for rockets using thrust vector control, aerodynamic surfaces ... Bonus: experience with missile guidance or state estimation This role is for engineers who want to ...

Principal Flight Controls Engineer

Manassas, VA ยท On-site

$135K - $165K/yr

Translate regulatory requirements and system safety assessments into certifiable flight control ... S. in Aerospace Engineering or related STEM discipline. * 10+ years of experience in flight ...

Senior Controls Engineer

Reston, VA ยท On-site

$156K - $219K/yr

Lead the development of flight control systems, including the design and analysis of control laws ... Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a ...

Senior Controls Engineer

Reston, VA ยท On-site

$156K - $219K/yr

Lead the development of flight control systems, including the design and analysis of control laws ... Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a ...

The Mechanisms Flight Engineer serves as the critical link between mechanism hardware and control-system bring-up in the electronics lab and the successful execution of deployment and actuation ...

The Role As the Engineering Manager - Control Laws, you will serve as both the engineering lead and ... You will collaborate with the flight control system team, airframe team, and flight physics team ...

The Mechanisms Flight Engineer serves as the critical link between mechanism hardware and control-system bring-up in the electronics lab and the successful execution of deployment and actuation ...

The Flight Systems Engineer (FSE) serves as the critical technical contributor to the LOC Missile ... of the Flight System to Payload Interface Control Document (ICD) and related functional ...

Support aircraft maintenance, configuration control, and system readiness * Create and improve ... systems engineering * Strong understanding of aircraft systems, flight dynamics, avionics ...

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Internship Flight Control System Engineer information

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How much do internship flight control system engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship flight control system engineer in Washington, DC is $21.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.22 and $23.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an internship flight control system engineer do?

An Internship Flight Control System Engineer assists with the design, development, testing, and evaluation of aircraft flight control systems under the guidance of experienced engineers. Responsibilities typically include supporting simulation, analysis, and troubleshooting of control system components, as well as participating in integration and validation activities. Interns often learn to work with advanced software tools and hardware while gaining hands-on experience in aerospace engineering environments. This role provides valuable exposure to the processes and standards used in the aviation industry.

What types of projects and tasks can an internship flight control system engineer expect to work on during their internship?

As an Internship Flight Control System Engineer, you can expect to be involved in a variety of hands-on and collaborative projects. These typically include supporting the design, simulation, and testing of flight control algorithms, assisting with the integration of control systems into aircraft models, and analyzing performance data from test flights. You may also work alongside senior engineers to troubleshoot issues, participate in team meetings, and contribute to technical documentation. This role provides valuable exposure to both the theoretical and practical aspects of aerospace engineering within a dynamic team environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship flight control system engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Flight Control System Engineer, you generally need a solid foundation in aerospace engineering principles, control systems, and programming, often supported by current enrollment in a relevant engineering program. Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++ programming, and exposure to flight simulation software are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and effective communication skills help you excel in collaborative engineering environments. These skills ensure accurate design, testing, and troubleshooting of flight control systems, contributing to safe and reliable aircraft operations.

What is the difference between Internship Flight Control System Engineer vs Flight Control System Engineer?

AspectInternship Flight Control System EngineerFlight Control System Engineer
QualificationsTypically pursuing or recently completed relevant degree; limited certificationsBachelor's or Master's in aerospace, electrical, or systems engineering; professional certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, supervised, often in research or development labsFull-time, in aerospace companies or research institutions, with project responsibilities
ResponsibilitiesAssisting with design, testing, and analysis under supervisionDesign, develop, and test flight control systems independently or as part of a team

In summary, an Internship Flight Control System Engineer is a trainee gaining hands-on experience, while a Flight Control System Engineer is a professional responsible for designing and maintaining flight control systems in the aerospace industry.

How to become an internship flight control system engineer?

To become an internship flight control system engineer, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. Gaining experience with control systems, programming languages like MATLAB or C++, and understanding of avionics is beneficial; internships or project work in aerospace environments can also improve prospects.

Flight Controls Engineer

Estes Aerospace

Vienna, VA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

You will design and build the flight control systems for rockets. You'll take your designs from concept all the way through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and live flight test.
What You'll Do
  • Design flight control systems for rockets using thrust vector control, aerodynamic surfaces, and novel actuation approaches
  • Develop and tune control laws (PID, LQR, nonlinear — whatever the problem calls for)
  • Build high-fidelity simulations of your control systems and the vehicles they fly on
  • Run hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing to validate your designs
  • See your work perform in the real world and feed those results back into your next design
What We're Looking For
  • Strong background in control theory and flight dynamics
  • Experience implementing and validating control systems in simulation
  • Comfort working across the hardware/software boundary — you understand both the math and the implementation
  • You like to iterate fast and test often, not wait for perfection
  • Bonus: experience with missile guidance or state estimation

This role is for engineers who want to close the loop — not just model a system, but actually fly it. There's nothing quite like that first flight test.

Estes Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and verification of information provided by the applicant. Background checks are conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and criminal history will be considered only to the extent relevant to the position and permitted by law.

This position is subject to ITAR requirements and can only be filled by individuals who are U.S. Persons, as defined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, 22 C.F.R. § 120.62

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