GNC Intern (Summer 2027)

About the role

Rendezvous Robotics is a small team in Golden, Colorado, developing electromagnetic self-assembling spacecraft components that dock and latch together to form larger spacecraft. As a GNC Intern (Summer 2027, full-time, 12-15 weeks), you will work on the dynamics and control of a reconfigurable spacecraft made from electromagnetically docked tiles. The work runs alongside the GNC team, from physics models and simulations to hardware testbeds and eventually on-orbit.

Key responsibilities

• Develop physics models of electromagnetic docking dynamics
• Support development of control algorithms for rendezvous, proximity operations and docking
• Work on attitude determination and control for individual tiles and the assembled spacecraft
• Support trade studies and evaluation of the tile sensor suite
• Build simulation tools and dashboards to verify GNC algorithms before hardware testing

Required profile

• Currently pursuing a degree in aerospace, mechanical or electrical engineering, physics, mathematics or another relevant engineering discipline, with coursework in dynamics and controls
• Understanding of rigid-body dynamics and basic electromagnetics
• Preferred: experience with spacecraft attitude determination and control (coursework or CubeSat team), background in electromagnetic systems, familiarity with orbital mechanics and reference frames, and experience with formation flying, swarm robotics or multi-body reconfigurable systems
• Preferred: familiarity with version control systems such as Git
• Preferred: excellent written and verbal communication skills

Required skills

• Working knowledge of Python, C++ or MATLAB/Simulink for simulation and analysis
• Preferred: experience with spacecraft attitude determination and control

To comply with U.S. government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident, a refugee or asylee, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.