About the role#
The GNC Engineering internship at Pivotal offers the opportunity to contribute to the development of light electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This role focuses on supporting the Aircraft Software team with control and state estimation tasks during the Fall 2026 term.
What you'll do#
- Support the development and testing of control and state estimation features.
- Run Model-in-the-Loop (MIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) simulations to assess system performance and behavior.
- Analyze data gathered from simulations or flight tests.
- Build or improve internal tools, scripts, and test infrastructure using MATLAB, Simulink, or Python.
- Document procedures, test results, and technical findings.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a Bachelors or Masters degree program in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, or a related field.
- Demonstrated interest in the eVTOL industry and personal flight.
- Practical experience with MATLAB, Simulink, or Python.
- Exposure to flight dynamics, controls, or estimation through academic coursework or projects.
- Preferred: Experience with UAVs, RC aircraft, robotics, or autonomy projects.
- Preferred: Familiarity with sensor fusion, Kalman filtering, control design, or version control tools like Git.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Location & details#
- Location: Palo Alto, California.
- Modality: On-site.
- Term: Fall 2026.
- Status: Paid, full-time.
About Pivotal
Pivotal is a contract research organization that manages clinical trials. Founded in 2001, the company operates across more than 20 countries. It focuses on drug development programs by designing trials for patients and investigators. The firm maintains a staff of 51 to 200 employees and is based in Madrid, Spain.
How to get in at Pivotal
Securing an internship at Pivotal requires timing, as roles in clinical research are competitive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first. Early applicants get seen before the pile grows, which is a significant advantage when the hiring team starts reviewing resumes. You should also focus on building a direct connection with the team. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the role or a referral. This approach materially improves response rates compared to submitting an application through a general portal.
