Summer 2026 Embedded Software Engineering Intern

AeroVironment • Petaluma, CA

23h

About The Position

Our Summer Internship Program is meticulously designed to provide students with an immersive and dynamic experience within our industry, offering a taste of what it's like to be part of our professional team. We strive to simulate a full-time job, enabling our interns to work hands-on with cutting-edge technology, contribute to meaningful projects, build strong relationships with coworkers, and develop strategic problem-solving skills. Our program is highly selective, hosting only a handful of interns each year, ensuring personalized attention and ample opportunities to work closely with AV team members. We are hiring for various roles and locations throughout the U.S. During the interview process, we will discuss specific details regarding the team and location. Summary As an Embedded Software Engineering Intern, you will work alongside experienced engineers to design, develop, and test embedded software for unmanned aerial and robotic systems. You’ll gain hands-on experience in real-world development, writing software that runs on microcontrollers, processors, and other hardware used in flight systems, sensors, and payloads. You’ll contribute to projects at various stages of the development lifecycle — from prototyping and integration to testing and validation — while learning industry best practices in embedded software development.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Basic knowledge of embedded systems and microcontrollers.
• Familiarity with programming languages such as C, C++, or Python.
• Understanding of low-level software concepts, such as memory management, interrupts, or device drivers.
• Exposure to hardware communication protocols like I2C, SPI, UART, or CAN.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience with microcontroller platforms (e.g., STM32, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar).
• Familiarity with RTOS environments (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr).
• Exposure to Linux-based development or embedded Linux environments.
• Experience with lab equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters).
• Interest in aerospace, robotics, or autonomous systems.
• Initiative, curiosity, and a passion for learning and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Assist in writing and testing embedded software for systems such as autopilots, sensors, radios, and other onboard components.
• Help implement software in C/C++ for real-time and bare-metal systems using microcontrollers and embedded platforms.
• Support the integration of embedded software with hardware, including debugging with lab tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, etc.).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including electrical, systems, and mechanical engineers, to ensure cohesive development.
• Participate in peer reviews, software documentation, and configuration management processes.
• Contribute to lab testing and field testing of embedded systems in support of real-world mission scenarios.
• Assist in the development of prototypes and proof-of-concept demonstrations.

Benefits

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern