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Internship Gnc Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Inversion

Simulation Engineer I, Arc Vehicle

Vista, CA · On-site

$71K - $124K/yr

You will play a key role in bridging the gap between GNC, Software, and Simulation teams ... Typically 1+ years of internship, academic research, or professional experience developing software ...

Aetherflux

Senior Spacecraft Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Collaborate cross-functionally with software, electrical, optical, and GNC teams to ensure system ... Experience working on spacecraft or aerospace vehicle development programs (internship, academic ...

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How much do internship gnc engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship gnc engineer in the United States is $19.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $20.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Internship GNC Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, control systems, and mathematics, typically supported by progress toward or completion of a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink, programming languages such as Python or C++, and version control systems is often required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork and communication skills are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for developing reliable GNC solutions, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring the safety and performance of aerospace systems.

What are some common challenges faced by a GN&C Engineer intern, and how can I prepare to address them?

As a GN&C (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Engineer intern, you may encounter challenges such as quickly adapting to complex simulation tools, understanding advanced control algorithms, and interpreting large data sets from test runs. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams—including software, hardware, and systems engineers—is also essential, so strong communication skills will help you bridge knowledge gaps. To prepare, familiarize yourself with industry-standard software like MATLAB/Simulink, review basic control theory, and practice presenting technical findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

What are Internship GNC Engineers?

Internship GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Engineers are students or recent graduates who assist in designing, developing, and testing systems that control the movement and direction of vehicles such as spacecraft, aircraft, or missiles. They work under the supervision of experienced engineers to gain practical experience in areas like trajectory planning, sensor integration, and control algorithms. These internships provide hands-on learning opportunities and are often a stepping stone to full-time roles in aerospace engineering.
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Internship Gnc Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Gnc Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,174 per year, or $19.3 per hour.
Guidance, Navigation and Controls (GNC) Internship - Fall 2026

Guidance, Navigation and Controls (GNC) Internship - Fall 2026

Varda Space Industries

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$33/hr

Full-time, Internship

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

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
Fall internships will range between the months of August and December. 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
Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well-being, and a high-quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full-time employees receive (at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):
Health & Wellness
  • Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
  • 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
  • Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
  • $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
  • 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
  • Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
  • Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement
  • Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
  • 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
  • $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
  • Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks
  • Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
  • Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and 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 the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
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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.

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