About the role#
This internship focuses on GNC Engineering for the Fall 2026 term. You will join the Aircraft Software team in Palo Alto to support the development of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft. This is a full-time, paid, on-site position.
What you'll do#
- Support the development and testing of control and state estimation features.
- Run MIL and SIL simulations to assess aircraft performance and behavior.
- Analyze data from flight tests or simulations.
- Build and improve tools, scripts, and test infrastructure using MATLAB, Simulink, and Python.
- Document procedures, test results, and technical findings.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing a Bachelors or Masters degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, or a related field.
- Experience with MATLAB, Simulink, or Python.
- Coursework or project experience related to flight dynamics, controls, or estimation.
- Interest in the eVTOL industry and personal flight.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Preferred: Experience with UAVs, RC aircraft, robotics, autonomy projects, sensor fusion, Kalman filtering, or Git.
Location & details#
- Location: Palo Alto, California.
- Term: Fall 2026.
- Modality: This is an on-site role.
About Pivotal
Pivotal is a contract research organization that provides clinical development services to the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. Founded in 2001, the company maintains its headquarters in Madrid and operates across more than 20 countries. Its staff of approximately 255 employees supports clinical trials across all therapeutic areas. The firm specializes in oncology, innovative therapies, and early phase research.
How to get in at Pivotal
Applying early is a distinct advantage at Pivotal, as recruiters often review candidates before the applicant pool becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, ensuring you can submit your materials among the first. This helps you stay ahead of the crowd when roles open. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the people managing the hiring process directly. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can contact them to ask about the position or a referral. This direct approach often yields better results than simply waiting in the queue.


