Intern - Attitude and Orbit Control; AOCS

Position: Intern - Attitude and Orbit Control (AOCS)
AST Space Mobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today's five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.

Position Overview

We are seeking an Intern to join our team for the 2026 Summer Internship Program, supporting the Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) team. This internship provides hands-on experience in spacecraft operational control and exposure to Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) algorithms. The AOCS team maintains on‑orbit control of all spacecraft in the AST fleet and contributes to the design of future vehicles.

The selected intern will support various automation tasks within the subsystem and gain a strong foundation in systems engineering principles.

This is a 14-week internship beginning 06/01/2026 at our Lanham, MD location. To be considered for the internship you must be enrolled in the following semester. If you are a recent graduate, please apply to one of our full-time roles.

Key Responsibilities

* Embrace a learning mindset and actively pursue opportunities to develop new skills.

* Read, write, clean up, develop, and test software in support of AOCS automation tasks.

* Collaborate with engineers to understand subsystem workflows and contribute to process improvements.

* Assist in developing tools or scripts that support AOCS operational needs.

* Participate in problem‑solving discussions and technical reviews alongside the engineering team.

Qualifications

Education:

* At least 2 years of college completed, preferably in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field.

* Demonstrated interest in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC).

Experience:

No prior professional experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

* Some programming background with MATLAB or Python.

* Experience with C++ is a plus.

* Exposure to aerospace systems, robotics, controls, or related coursework is beneficial.

Soft Skills

* Strong verbal and written communication skills.

* Ability to work through complex problems methodically.

* Curiosity and willingness to ask questions and self-learn.

* Strong attention to detail and willingness to take ownership of assigned tasks.

Technology Stack

* MATLAB, Python, and/or C++.

* Basic familiarity with version control (e.g., Git) is helpful.

* Standard engineering and collaboration tools (e.g., Excel, documentation platforms).

Physical Requirements

* Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.

* Ability to participate in meetings, technical discussions, and collaborative engineering sessions.

This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.

AST Space Mobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.