2026 Guidance Navigation and Control Intern Dulles VA

GNC is designing, building, testing spacecraft components for a mix of DoD, NASA, and commercial customers. We are leaders in innovative solutions to the rapidly growing/evolving fields of space based autonomous rendezvous and docking and rapid design/production of small satellites. We are seeking a highly-talented and ambitious Engineer to take responsibility for the attitude control solutions that meet our spacecraft requirements. The spacecraft GNC analysis engineer will work within the GNC subsystem team and under the supervision of the GNC subsystem lead.

Depending on the engineer’s strengths and areas of interest, an engineer may choose to focus on one of two areas GNC analysis or GNC components (or some combination).

A spacecraft GNC analysis engineer is expected to:
•Design, analyze, and tune spacecraft attitude and position control loops using time and frequency domain techniques
•Design, analyze, and tune sequential filters (e.g. Kalman filters) for attitude determination and relative navigation
•Analyze and test the spacecraft GNC subsystem performance using simulations and other analytic tools
•Implement GNC algorithms in flight software and support flight software qualification testing
•Perform analysis to support early design phase concept development including actuator sizing and placement, sensor selection and placement, and predicted performance assessments
•Develop simulation models for sensors (e.g. star tracker, rate gyro, accelerometer, GPS, magnetometer, sun sensors), actuators (e.g. reaction wheel, torque bar, thruster, CMG), system dynamics (e.g. rigid body, multi-body, orbit mechanics, flexible models), and the space environment (e.g. atmospheric, solar radiation pressure, third-body gravity, geopotential)

A spacecraft GNC component engineer is expected to:

•Perform GNC component trade studies (including make/buy trades and supplier identification/research). These components may include but are not limited to star cameras, lidars, GPS receivers, sun sensors, reaction wheels, IR cameras, and space based visible cameras.
•Work with the subcontracts/supply chain team as the technical lead to manage procurements including documentation and design reviews
•Work with the team to integrate and test all spacecraft GNC components
•Work closely with multiple suppliers, across multiple subsystems, presenting to managers and customers. Communication is a key element of your role

All GNC engineers are expected to:
•Apply engineering principles, industry standards, company process, and knowledge of vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion, classical/modern control, and estimation theory to perform tasks to advanced program/project goals
•Document designs, analysis, and test results and create presentation materials
•Present designs, analysis, and test results to internal and external customers
•Work well within small- to medium-sized groups