2027 Guidance Navigation and Control Intern - Dulles VA

Northrop Grumman•Dulles, VA

9d•$27 - $40•Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) intern to join the Space Systems Intern Program. This position will be located in Dulles, VA. The GNC team is responsible for designing, building, and testing spacecraft components for a variety of customers, including DoD, NASA, and commercial clients. They are leaders in innovative solutions for autonomous rendezvous and docking, and rapid design/production of small satellites. The intern will work within the GNC subsystem team, under the supervision of the GNC subsystem lead, and may focus on GNC analysis or GNC components. The role involves applying engineering principles to meet program goals, documenting and presenting designs, analysis, and test results, and working collaboratively in team environments.

Requirements

Be enrolled full-time and pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college/university AND graduating after Fall 2027
Be majoring in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
Be available to work full-time (40 hours per week) for at least 10 weeks during summer 2027
Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)

Nice To Haves

Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance
MS or PhD degree in engineering, physics, or math
Minimum overall GPA of 3.7
Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++
Experience in spacecraft GNC subsystem design, analysis, and testing
Experience implementing GNC algorithms on embedded systems
Prior work experience in related field
Proficiency in Microsoft office suite, version control tools such as SVN or Git
Experience with Model Based Systems engineering, digital transformation tools such as the Atlassian suite.
Previous/current membership or leadership roles in professional groups, clubs, or extracurricular activities is desired
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities

Responsibilities

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).
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.
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.