GNC Software Intern

Karman+

We are inventors, designers, engineers, scientists, tinkerers, entrepreneurs, adventurers, artists, activists, global citizens, architects, musicians, builders, writers, athletes and space nerds. We partner with the best minds and most experienced teams across industry and academia, bringing together the knowledge, experience, and skills required to navigate our critical path.

Mission

We want to mine space resources from near-Earth asteroids to provide abundant, sustainable energy and resources in space and for Earth.

Vision 

Asteroid mining has lived at the intersection of scientific research and popular culture for decades, with as many academic papers published as there are books, TV shows and movies about it.

Access to resources, with its finite nature and disparate distribution, plays an essential part in the geopolitical web of power and wealth. It has defined economic growth to such an extent that we have been using them as primary demarcation lines and identifiers in our history, from the stone to bronze and iron age to our current silicon age.

But our resources-driven growth faces a massive existential challenge, with climate change, ecosystem degradation and resource depletion demanding a complete reset. Humanity needs to shift global transportation, manufacturing, construction and energy onto a sustainable path.

Expanding beyond the Kármán line is where we believe transformative future growth and innovation will be found. Recent missions by NASA (OSIRIS-REx & DART) and JAXA (Hayabusa2) have firmly pushed the idea of using space resources from academic research into commercial opportunity.

We believe the Regolith Age, powered by abundant space resources, is an inevitability that we can accelerate.

 

We value these principles:

• Diversity of thought. We believe that different perspectives drive better results. We aim to build diverse teams and a diverse company.
• Ownership, feedback and accountability. Ideas improve through collaboration, discussion and iteration. Decisions don’t follow the same pattern and revert to the mean when made in a group. We aim to have clear ownership, accountability for results and autonomy to deliver. 
• No silos. We build cross-functional teams to be able to deliver on our goals. There are no predefined lanes for people to operate in, information is pushed out across all teams to make sure we benefit from cross-pollination.
• High talent bar, no a**holes. We optimize for potential and a growth mindset. We value experience, but only when balanced with self-awareness and first principles thinking.
• Small is beautiful. The best results as well as the best work experience come from a small team of talented people working towards a common goal.

 

Position: GNC Software Intern

Location: Broomfield, CO

Position Type: Full-time, Summer Internship

Mission: High Frontier – Design and Simulate Closed-Loop GNC Software for Autonomous Spacecraft Operations

We’re Karman+, a fast-moving space startup on a mission to redefine what small, dedicated teams can achieve in space. Our High Frontier mission requires advanced autonomy and precise control across all phases of spacecraft flight. As an intern at Karman+, you’ll gain hands-on experience working alongside seasoned engineers to design, simulate, and integrate the spacecraft’s guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems into a closed-loop mission simulator.

What it takes to be successful in this role:

As a GNC Software Intern at Karman+, you will contribute to the development of a closed-loop simulation that integrates GNC flight software with spacecraft dynamics models and emulated hardware. This simulator spans mission phases from low-thrust spiral escape from Earth orbit, to deep space navigation and autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations near small bodies using advanced computer vision techniques. Your work will involve algorithm implementation, simulation, and validation using modern programming tools.

You should have familiarity with basic spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms, and ideally familiarity with implementation and simulation of real-time, closed loop control systems in C++ and Python or Matlab.

Key Responsibilities 

• Support development and testing of real-time, closed-loop GNC software in simulation environments.
• Implement and tune algorithms for guidance, state estimation, and control of spacecraft systems.
• Integrate dynamics models, flight software, and simulated sensor/actuator hardware into a full mission simulation.
• Support mission phase transitions and test autonomous behaviors including low-thrust maneuvers and proximity operations.
• Analyze simulation results and contribute to performance evaluation, debugging, and algorithm improvement.
• Collaborate with GNC and flight software engineers to ensure simulation fidelity and performance.
• Document findings, software changes, and test outcomes for team use and review.

What You Bring

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate engineering or computer science degree with exposure to aerospace
• Familiarity with implementation and simulation of closed loop dynamic systems 
• Exposure to spacecraft guidance, navigation, and controls concepts
• Familiarity with C++, Python, or optionally Matlab programming 
• Ability to work independently, iterate quickly, and communicate technical ideas clearly
• Enthusiasm for space and a curiosity for solving complex technical challenges

Bonus Skills

• Familiarity with embedded system programming or flight software architecture.
• Familiarity with computer vision / optical navigation techniques
• Exposure to orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, or spacecraft mission planning.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a BS or MS in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• A passion for space and a drive to learn by doing

Additional Information

We Offer

Our cash compensation amount for this role is targeted at $20.00 - $25.00 per hour in this location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience and expertise and may vary from the amount listed above.

Location & Work Environment

This position is full-time in-person at our offices & lab in Broomfield, CO. If you reside in locations outside of daily commuting distance you will be considered, however, no relocation or travel assistance will be provided by Karman+ for this position. This position operates in an office environment. This entails working inside in an office space wherein you may be provided with a public work station (cubicle) or private offices. In the performance of the duties and responsibilities of this job, you will be required to view a computer terminal for prolonged periods of time.

Travel

Occasional travel to work site locations may be expected. Overnight stays may be required from time to time for training, seminars, conferences, meetings, events, or visits to onsite locations.

Disclaimer

This job posting is not intended to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required. Karman+ reserves the right to change or assign additional duties, responsibilities, and activities at any time with or without notice. 

Hiring Practices

Karman+ is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact hr@karmanplus.com.  

Come work with us...

We are crazy ambitious but the timing is right. Be part of the team looking to make it happen.

• We are looking to build things to put in space quickly.
• We emphasize creativity and innovation and resources are available to support good ideas.
• Join a team of people working toward the same ambitious goal.
• We are an engaging team looking to empower our teammates.
• You can have a share in the company value creation.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. 

 

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If you know someone who'd be a great addition to our team, please encourage them to apply for this role or for our General Application.