2026 Internship – Autonomous Systems Design Engineer: Controls, Navigation, Sensors, and Simulation

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Strike Guidance, Navigation, Control (GNC), and Seekers Group is searching for driven interns who are pursuing degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science to jump in and tackle a wide range of technical challenges. Our group is a national leader in the development, design, and prototyping of advanced hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles, guided projectiles, and autonomous flight vehicles—all critical to our nation’s defense. In line with our dedication to building outstanding talent and fueling a culture of bold innovation, you’ll gain hands-on experience, sharpen your expertise, and make a real impact as a key member of our team. As an intern, you will contribute to cutting-edge designs and groundbreaking research in autonomous systems that support vital national security programs, build, test, and refine advanced modeling, simulation, and analysis tools, and collaborate with a dynamic team of engineers and engage directly with government sponsors. You will develop expertise in one or more of the following exciting technical areas: Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC); Radio Frequency and Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensors (RF & EO/IR); Modeling and Simulation (M&S); and Hardware/Software Development and Testing. Bring your curiosity, energy, and drive—and help shape the future of autonomous systems!

Requirements

Pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering Systems Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science.
Prior internship experience, hobbies, or class project work related to your technical area(s) of interest (e.g., Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC); Radio Frequency (RF) or Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors; Modeling and Simulation (M&S); and Hardware/Software Development and Testing).
Experience in coding C++, Python, Matlab/Simulink, or other languages.
Curiosity and appetite for exploring and solving hard problems.
Ability to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by your start date and ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance.
U.S. citizenship.
Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience developing and analyzing control/dynamical systems or sensors.

Responsibilities

Contribute to cutting-edge designs and groundbreaking research in autonomous systems that support vital national security programs.
Build, test, and refine advanced modeling, simulation, and analysis tools.
Collaborate with a dynamic team of engineers and engage directly with government sponsors.
Develop expertise in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), including driving advanced algorithm research and development and applying algorithms to real-world flight test systems.
Develop expertise in Radio Frequency and Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensors (RF & EO/IR), including RF and EO/IR sensor design, performance analysis, modeling & simulation, and signal processing.
Develop expertise in Modeling and Simulation (M&S), including developing multi-physics simulations to innovate new ideas and address intricate build challenges.
Develop expertise in Hardware/Software Development and Testing, including hardware-in-the-loop development, sensor characterization, and embedded systems advancing toward flight tests.