Summer 2027 GNC / Autonomy Intern

AeroVironment • Pottstown, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Our paid Summer Internship Program is designed to provide students with an immersive, hands-on experience within the aerospace and defense industry. Interns work alongside AV team members on meaningful projects involving cutting-edge technology while developing professional relationships, strategic problem-solving skills, and practical experience in a full-time work environment. This is a 12-week, onsite program intended for highly motivated and passionate students who are currently enrolled in college or are recent graduates. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, with a preference for students at the junior level or above. Our program has been recognized by Yello and WayUp as one of the Top 100 Internship Programs in the United States for multiple years. Depending on the team and location, students who are willing to relocate for their internship may be eligible for a relocation and housing reimbursement stipend. AV offers internship opportunities across various teams and locations throughout the United States. Specific team, location, and program details will be discussed during the interview process. We are seeking a motivated GNC Engineering Intern to join our multidisciplinary team. In this role, you will support projects related to Guidance, Navigation & Control (GN&C), flight testing, software, and hardware development. This internship offers a hands-on learning opportunity in aerospace systems, providing exposure to flight control systems, testing procedures, and system integration. You will work under the guidance of experienced engineers and gain valuable experience in a fast-paced R&D environment. This internship is designed to provide practical experience and skill development in aerospace engineering, particularly in the GN&C discipline. Interns will leave with a better understanding of how flight systems are developed, tested, and integrated in real-world applications.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• Completed coursework in one or more of the following areas: GN&C, flight dynamics, control systems, embedded systems, or robotics
• Strong interest in aircraft systems, GN&C, and aerospace engineering
• Basic proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, or similar modeling tools is a plus
• Effective communication skills and a collaborative attitude
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. and willing to travel domestically (up to 10–20%, if needed)
• This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with any of the following: PCB design, embedded programming, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, or flight software development
• Hands-on project or lab experience involving control systems or autonomous vehicles (e.g., drones, robotics projects)
• Enthusiastic about learning and contributing to real-world aerospace projects
• Ability to adapt in a dynamic team-oriented environment
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Preference for students at the junior level or above

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design and development of GN&C systems for current and future aircraft projects
• Support system testing, including simulation environments (e.g., 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
• Support engineering documentation and report writing
• Collaborate with engineering and test teams to troubleshoot and validate technical solutions
• Learn and apply engineering processes and tools relevant to flight systems
• Perform other duties or learning assignments as needed

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401K with company matching
• 9/80 work schedule
• Paid holiday shutdown
• Relocation and housing reimbursement stipend (may be eligible)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern