Worker Type
Fixed Term (Fixed Term)
Job Description
Summary
At AV, we understand that a valuable internship should provide meaningful learning and real-world experience. Our Summer Internship Program offers students the opportunity to work alongside experienced engineers and scientists, gaining hands-on exposure to the technologies and challenges that drive our industry. Interns contribute directly to active projects, developing practical skills and building professional relationships in a collaborative environment as a valued member of the team.
Our internship program is highly selective, ensuring that each intern receives personalized mentorship and opportunities to engage deeply with our engineering teams. We’re seeking motivated students with an interest in electrical engineering and RF technologies to assist in developing and testing custom solutions for next-gen radar, phased array telemetry, radio, and perimeter intrusion detection systems.
Responsibilities
- Work with a team of engineers, scientists, and project managers.
- Perform technology research, including field surveys, trade studies, and comparative analysis.
- Assist in design and testing of prototype and production systems using software and/or electrical engineering skills.
- Utilize and/or modify existing code bases and libraries; create and shape new functionality.
- Conduct field testing and evaluation of components, systems, and products.
- Develop firmware for embedded systems.
Requirements
- Must be a high school graduate.
- Due to the nature of the role U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Currently enrolled or recently completed post-secondary program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
- Willing and able to work on-site at the Germantown, MD AV office for the duration of the internship.
- Possess strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong background and interest in one or more of: software development; data analysis; electrical engineering; embedded software development; systems engineering; engineering design validation, verification, and test.
Desired Skills
- Experience with electrical design, PCB layout, and/or ECAD.
- Understanding of RF and antenna technology.
- Skills in software development for embedded microcontrollers.
- Experience with FPGAs and firmware development.
- Proficiency in object-oriented programming (e.g. Java, JavaScript, C++, Python) with the ability to write clean, well-documented code.
- Competency in data analysis and visualization tools such as Excel or MATLAB.
- Familiarity with GitHub/GitLab, command line, and/or Linux.
- Confidence in using lab tools such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, etc.
- Experience with engineering product prototyping, production, or integration test design/testing.
- Knowledge in systems engineering, system integration, and/or design documentation.
- Participation in extracurricular student engineering competitions.
Physical Demands
- Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)
- Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Constant)
Hourly Rate Range: $20 - $25
Clearance Level
ITAR Requirement:
This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.
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. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.
We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.
Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.
Who We Are
Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.
Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.
What We Do
Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.
ITAR
Skills Required
- Currently enrolled or recently completed post-secondary program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field
- Must be a high school graduate
- Possess strong written and verbal communication skills
- Willing and able to work on-site at the Germantown, MD AV office
- Experience with electrical design, PCB layout, and/or ECAD
- Skills in software development for embedded microcontrollers
- Proficiency in object-oriented programming (e.g., Java, JavaScript, C++, Python)
- Competency in data analysis and visualization tools such as Excel or MATLAB
AeroVironment Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AeroVironment and has not been reviewed or approved by AeroVironment.
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Healthcare Strength — Benefits include multiple medical plan options with HSA pairing and employer contributions, plus company-paid life and disability coverage. Feedback suggests health coverage quality and breadth are consistently seen as strong.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with generous matching and immediate vesting, alongside programs like an ESPP and deferred compensation for eligible employees, signals robust retirement support. Feedback suggests the retirement offering stands out within the total rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Discretionary Time Off for eligible salaried employees, paid sick leave, parental leave supplements, holidays, and a 9/80 schedule provide broad time-off flexibility. Feedback suggests these options enhance work-life balance when team norms support their use.
AeroVironment Insights
What We Do
At AV, we build shoulder-to-shoulder with our customers, delivering systems shaped by real-world missions, not theoretical requirements. Now stronger than ever, we deliver integrated capabilities across every domain of modern warfare—from autonomous systems and loitering munitions to space-based platforms, directed energy, cyber and electronic warfare. We build to win today’s battles and shape tomorrow’s conflicts.
