GNC / Autonomy Engineering Intern

Worker Type

Supplemental

Job Description

 

Summer Internship Program

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. 

This position will report onsite to our Simi Valley, CA office and support our Small Unmanned Systems team.

 

We are seeking a motivated GNC / Autonomy 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. 

 

Internship 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 

 

Basic Qualifications 

• 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) 

 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Familiarity with any of the following: 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 

 

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to work in an office, lab, or test environment 
• May require standing or sitting for extended periods and use of standard office equipment 

 

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. 

 

Clearance Level

 

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

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 must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR 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.

Benefits:  AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.  For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply.  NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

 

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.