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

The role

You will support end-to-end GNC performance for flight vehicles through 6DOF simulation, control system modeling, sensor integration, and trajectory optimization. This role involves working on analysis, algorithms, and simulations for reentry vehicles.

What you will do

• 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

Required 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 algorith
• Familiarity with C++ or python and modern software development principles

Nice to have

• 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

Benefits

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

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) to access export-controlled items

About the company

Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. The company is headquartered in El Segundo, California.