Discipline guide

Controls, robotics & GNC internships

Controls and robotics engineers make physical systems behave: feedback control, state estimation, motion planning, and the sensors and actuators that close the loop. The same skills run robot arms, humanoids, drones, cars and spacecraft, where the field is called guidance, navigation and control (GNC).

39 open roles right now: none say freshmen or sophomores can apply, 36 don't list a class year. Filter this discipline in the full list.

What interns do

  • Tune controllers on real hardware and compare the results with a model.
  • Build simulations in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, Gazebo or MuJoCo.
  • Write sensor-fusion code, such as a Kalman filter combining an IMU with other sensors.
  • Integrate motors, encoders and IMUs, then log and analyze test data.

Skills to show

  • Signals and systems, feedback control (PID and state-space) and linear algebra.
  • Python or MATLAB for modeling; C++ for real-time code.
  • ROS basics if you are aiming at robotics companies.
  • Hands-on experience with motors, drivers and sensors.

Starter projects

  1. Build a self-balancing robot or ball-on-beam system with a PID controller; document your tuning with step-response plots and a model comparison.
  2. Estimate orientation from an IMU with a complementary or Kalman filter on a microcontroller, and validate it against a reference.
  3. Simulate a quadrotor or small rover with a controller in Python, then port the controller to real hardware and compare.

Open Controls/robotics roles

Newest first. Labels are automatic; read each posting on the employer's site.

  1. Oklo · Santa Clara, CA; Any Office Location

    Class year not stated Test/validation Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US citizen

    Why these labels?
    Due to the nature of Oklo's work, only U.S. citizens can be considered for these positions.

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  2. Astranis · San Francisco

    Juniors+ Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Currently enrolled in a M.S program in a technical discipline (e.g. engineering, CS, physics) with a focus on control systems, orbital mechanics, or spacecraft design… U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  3. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  4. Physical Intelligence · San Francisco

    Class year not stated PCB/hardware Test/validation Controls/robotics

  5. Rocket Lab · Pasadena, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or…

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  6. Anduril Industries · Costa Mesa, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export Clearance

    Why these labels?
    Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities;

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  7. Anduril Industries · Lexington, MA; Quincy, MA

    Class year not stated Co-op PCB/hardware Controls/robotics Winter 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export Clearance

    Why these labels?
    Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities;

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  8. Anduril Industries · Quincy, MA

    Class year not stated Co-op Test/validation Controls/robotics Winter 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export Clearance

    Why these labels?
    Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities;

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  9. CesiumAstro · Westminster, CO

    Class year not stated Co-op Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the…

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  10. Gecko Robotics · Pittsburgh

    Juniors+ Embedded/firmware Controls/robotics Summer 2027

    Why these labels?
    Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related engineering discipline, with an expected graduation date between December 2027 and May 2028.

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  11. 1X · San Carlos, CA

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics $35 per hour

  12. Anduril Industries · Ashville, OH

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export Clearance

    Why these labels?
    Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities;

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  13. Rocket Lab · Littleton, CO

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or…

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  14. Saronic Technologies · Austin, TX

    Class year not stated Analog/mixed-signal PCB/hardware Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status.

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  15. Saronic Technologies · Austin, TX

    Class year not stated Test/validation Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status.

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  16. Shield AI · Melbourne

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics

  17. Shield AI · Melbourne

    Class year not stated Test/validation Controls/robotics

  18. Shield AI · Melbourne

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics

  19. Shield AI · Melbourne

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics

  20. Anduril Industries · Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics 2026 (season not stated) Clearance

    Why these labels?
    Ability to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Clearance.

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  21. Hermeus · Atlanta, GA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Controls/robotics Spring 2027 Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export $25–33/hr

    Why these labels?
    U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  22. Hermeus · Atlanta, GA

    Juniors+ Controls/robotics Spring 2027 Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export $25–33/hr

    Why these labels?
    Must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university (Undergraduate student (at least a rising senior) or enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program) U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  23. K2 Space · Los Angeles, CA

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans).

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  24. Shield AI · London · Hybrid

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics

  25. Kodiak Robotics · Mountain View, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware PCB/hardware Controls/robotics Winter 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Accordingly, roles that carry more sensitive requirements may be limited to candidates that can satisfy additional scrutiny and eligibility for such positions may hinge on verification of a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status.

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  26. Kodiak Robotics · Mountain View, CA

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics Winter 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Accordingly, roles that carry more sensitive requirements may be limited to candidates that can satisfy additional scrutiny and eligibility for such positions may hinge on verification of a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status.

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  27. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics Spring 2027

  28. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics Summer 2027

  29. Varda Space Industries · El Segundo, CA

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics Spring 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    ITAR Requirements

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  30. Shield AI · London

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics Clearance

    Why these labels?
    Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  31. Kairos Power · Alameda, CA, Albuquerque, NM; Oak Ridge, TN

    Class year not stated Test/validation Controls/robotics Summer 2027 ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Note: You are applying for a position that is located in a facility that handles information that is subject to export control restrictions by the Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810.

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  32. Zoox · Hayward, CA · Hybrid

    Class year not stated Test/validation Controls/robotics

  33. Anduril Industries · Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA +6 more

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export Clearance

    Why these labels?
    Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities;

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  34. Neuralink · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics

  35. Neuralink · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Controls/robotics

  36. Neuralink · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware PCB/hardware Controls/robotics

  37. Neuralink · Austin, TX; South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics Photonics/optics

  38. Neuralink · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics

  39. Neuralink · Austin, TX; South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Controls/robotics

Other disciplines

Embedded systems & firmware · FPGA, RTL & ASIC design and verification · Analog & mixed-signal · RF, microwave & wireless · Power electronics · PCB & hardware design · Test, validation & reliability · Photonics & optics