About the role#
The Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) team manages the design, analysis, simulation, and operational performance of our reentry vehicles. As an intern, you will contribute to end-to-end GNC performance, supporting tasks from 6DOF simulation and control system modeling to sensor integration and trajectory optimization. You will work within a collaborative team in a startup environment, learning from experienced aerospace professionals while contributing to projects critical to our mission.
What you'll do#
- Own or contribute to analysis, algorithms, and simulations for reentry vehicles.
- Integrate and test GNC sensors, actuators, and software in simulation and hardware-in-the-loop environments.
- Design and implement mission-critical tooling for automated maneuver responsibility and scheduling decisions.
- Develop 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.
What you'll need#
- A previous GNC internship.
- Familiarity with orbital mechanics, flight dynamics, trajectory design and optimization, feedback controls, 6DOF flight simulations, navigation solutions, and Monte Carlo analysis.
- Proficiency in C++ or Python and modern software development principles.
- At least one year of experience on a technical project team, such as a CubeSat, rocket team, or similar competition.
- Experience working on simulation support tools or GNC tooling for aerospace vehicles.
- Familiarity with 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.
Location & details#
- Location: El Segundo, California.
- Term: Summer 2027 (May through August).
- Modality: Full-time, on-site.
- Education: Pursuing a degree in Aerospace, Computer, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering.
About Varda Space Industries
Varda Space Industries operates in the defense and space manufacturing sector. The company focuses on orbital infrastructure, including pharmaceutical processing and reentry capsules. It produces items that require manufacturing in space, such as fiber optic cables and medical products. Founded in 2021, the firm maintains its headquarters in El Segundo, California. It currently employs over 250 people.
How to get in at Varda Space Industries
Applying early to Varda Space Industries gives you a significant advantage before the applicant pool becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first and ensure your materials are seen before the pile grows. Reaching out to the right person can be the difference between a form rejection and an interview. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves your response rates.
