About the role#
This is a 12-week, full-time summer internship program based in Simi Valley, California. You will join our Small Unmanned Systems team to gain hands-on experience in the aerospace and defense industry. Working alongside experienced engineers, you will contribute to real-world projects involving Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) systems, flight testing, and software development.
What you'll do#
- Assist in the design and development of GN&C systems for current and future aircraft projects.
- Support system testing, including simulation environments like 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.
- Collaborate with engineering and test teams to troubleshoot and validate technical solutions.
- Support engineering documentation and report writing.
- Learn and apply engineering processes and tools relevant to flight systems.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Junior level or above preferred with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Completed coursework in GN&C, flight dynamics, control systems, embedded systems, or robotics.
- Basic proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, or similar modeling tools.
- Hands-on project or lab experience involving control systems or autonomous vehicles.
- Familiarity with embedded programming, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, or flight software development.
- Effective communication skills and a collaborative attitude.
- Ability to adapt in a team-oriented environment.
- Must be eligible to work in the U.S. and willing to travel domestically up to 10-20%.
Location & details#
- Location: Simi Valley, California.
- Modality: On-site.
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Status: Paid, full-time internship.
About AV
AV is a public company based in Arlington, Virginia, that specializes in defense and space manufacturing. The firm develops unmanned aircraft systems, ground robots, and software for autonomous platforms. It employs 3,034 people across multiple locations in the United States and Germany. The company focuses on integrated capabilities for modern defense missions.
How to get in at AV
Applying early to AV is a distinct advantage because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first before the pile grows. This helps you avoid the frustration of submitting your resume to a crowded queue. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the right people. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can contact them directly to ask about the position or a referral. It is a more effective approach than waiting for a system response.



