Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Intern at AstroForge – Seal Beach, California

Guidance, Navigation, and Controls InternAt AstroForge, our mission is to make space resources accessible on Earth. We mine asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower cost and smaller carbon footprint than current terrestrial mining methods. By joining the team at AF you’ll have the opportunity to work side by side with our amazing engineer and science teams. This position will provide you with valuable skills, experience, and mentorship necessary to become a leading professional in your field. We offer a unique opportunity to join an exciting team looking to expand humanity’s capabilities in space.
Job DescriptionAs a GNC intern, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and testing the algorithms that will power the world’s first asteroid mining vehicles. From spacecraft attitude determination & control, to on-board perception, to vehicle autonomy, you will alongside our Guidance, Navigation, and Control engineers as we tackle a wide array of challenges for both on-going and upcoming missions.
Basic Qualifications

• 18 years or older.
• Proof of US Citizenship or Permanent Residency.
• Enrollment in an accredited college or university, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Must not be otherwise employed for the duration of the internship.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Proficiency with Python, C, C++, or Rust.
• Strong background in dynamics, calculus, and linear algebra.
• Experience with one or more robotics concepts (e.g., state estimation, controls, perception).
• Currently pursuing a degree in engineering or a STEM-related field.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Rising seniors or graduate students graduating either winter 2025 or spring 2026.
• Experience testing / debugging software in hardware-in-the-loop environments.
• Aerospace project or course experience a plus but not required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills.

Location: Onsite in Seal BeachPay Rate: $30.00 per hourDuration: 10 weeks
ITAR RequirementsTo conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S.,protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.