Flight Software Research Intern - Pendulum Project

Mclaurin Aerospace • Knoxville, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Flight Software & Controls Research Intern will support the Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GN&C) team through hands-on work on a dynamic pendulum-based control system project, designed to model, simulate, and control real-world physical behavior. This internship is intentionally structured as a learning-focused experience for students majoring in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering who are interested in controls, embedded systems, and modeling & simulation. Interns will contribute to the development of embedded flight software and 6 degrees of freedom (6-DOF) modeling and simulation tools while gaining exposure to real-time systems, control theory, and experimental validation. The pendulum project serves as a testbed for applying classical and modern control concepts, sensor integration, data acquisition, and system modeling-mirroring challenges encountered in launch vehicle and spacecraft GN&C systems. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. Undergraduate candidates should have completed at least 60 credit hours of coursework. This position is located at McLaurin Aerospace in Knoxville, TN.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering , Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Coursework or interest in control systems, dynamics, or systems modeling.
• Programming experience in C/C++ and/or Python.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and debugging skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a hands-on, research-oriented engineering environment.
• Familiarity with CAD tools and FDM 3D printers
• Student positions require a minimum commitment of 20 hours per pay period
• This position is open to US citizen students residing in HUBZone qualified areas only. For more information on HUBZone qualification, see https://maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map .
• US Citizenship and the ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation is required.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with embedded systems, sensors, actuators, or real-time systems is a plus.
• Exposure to feedback control concepts (e.g., PID control, state-space modeling) is beneficial but not

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design, implementation, and testing of embedded software for a pendulum-based control system, including sensors, actuators, and feedback control loops.
• Develop and refine mathematical models and simulations representing pendulum dynamics and control behavior.
• Contribute to ongoing development of 6-DOF launch vehicle and spacecraft modeling and simulation software.
• Write and test code for real-time embedded systems supporting control, data acquisition, and communications.
• Participate in software and system verification and validation, including simulation-based analysis and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing.
• Analyze system performance data and support tuning of control algorithms.
• Create and maintain documentation for code, test procedures, models, and software interfaces.
• Participate in code reviews, debugging sessions, and structured testing activities.
• Create 3D models using CAD tools and manufacture parts with FDM 3D printing

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern