RF Systems Intern - Masters

Join Us for an Unforgettable Summer Internship Experience!

Looking to grow your skills, build your network, and have a little fun along the way? Our Summer Internship Program offers the perfect mix of hands-on experience and community-building activities designed to support both your personal and professional development.

Over the course of the summer, you’ll dive into meaningful work that will expand your knowledge and challenge you to think creatively. But it’s not all work—we believe in balance.

You’ll also get the chance to:

Connect with fellow interns and early-career professionals through engaging networking events

Unwind with movie nights, beach days, and celebrate National Intern Day

Explore our cutting-edge science during two half days of guided laboratory tours, where you’ll visit 8 of our top research facilities and see innovation in action

Whether you’re looking to kick-start your career or simply learn more about the exciting work we do, this is more than just an internship—it’s your first step into a vibrant, supportive, and forward-thinking community.

HRL Laboratories pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers – ready for real-world application. For more than 70 years, HRL’s rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other — often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways. As a private company owned jointly by Boeing and GM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art.

HRL Laboratories develops radiofrequency, millimeter-wave and electro-optical sensors using state-of-the-art materials and device fabrication processes to deliver agile, mission-ready systems. Our high-performance solutions are highly integrated, architecturally low cost, and optimized for size, weight and power efficiency while leveraging commercial, custom and novel mixed-signal innovations.

Essential Duties:

•    Contribute advanced technical expertise within a focused, multidisciplinary team that designs, fabricates, integrates, and tests RF and millimeter-wave subsystems.
•    Collaborate closely with scientists and engineers to support the development of state-of-the-art RF subsystems for communications, radar, and sensing applications, including contributing to system-level architecture and design trade studies.
•    Independently execute modeling, simulation, and analysis tasks to inform design decisions and optimize subsystem performance.
•    Additional responsibilities include contributing to solving complex customer problems, supporting invention disclosures, co-authoring technical papers and reports, preparing and delivering technical briefings, participating in proposal development, and assisting in the communication and marketing of organizational capabilities.

Required Qualifications:

•    Hands-on experience with modeling, simulation, and analysis of electronic components, RF electronics, and circuits (e.g., using tools such as HFSS, ADS, CST, or similar).
•    Experience working with FPGAs, DSPs, or microcontrollers, including implementation and debugging of signal processing or control algorithms.
•    Strong foundation in circuit theory, electromagnetics, and digital signal processing, with the ability to apply these principles to practical design challenges.
•    Familiarity with RF and high-speed digital test equipment, and ability to interpret measurement data.
•    Graduate-level coursework or research in DSP, circuits, electromagnetics, communications, radar, antennas, and/or hardware description languages (e.g., VHDL/Verilog).
•    Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, analyze complex systems, and communicate technical findings effectively

•   Ability to interact professionally with program managers, technical staff, and customers, and to operate complex electronic equipment.
•   Capability to perform detailed analysis of integrated circuits and RF subsystems and translate findings into actionable insights.
•   Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver technical presentations.
•   Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a highly skilled, collaborative engineering team.
•   Willingness to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and contribute to technically challenging, multidisciplinary projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

•    Proficiency in programming and data analysis using Python, C/C++, and MATLAB; experience with Simulink or similar tools is highly desirable.

•    Working knowledge of RF components, communication systems, and radar systems; experience with system integration is a plus.

•    Working knowledge of RF components, communication systems, and radar systems; experience with system integration is a plus.

Essential Physical Requirements:

•   Ability to travel as required.

Special Requirements:

U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Security Clearance. 

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay Range: $43 - $48 an hour

• The pay will be determined on your educational year. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hires for the position. Your recruiter can share more about the specific range during the hiring process.
• Benefits: 80 hours of Sick time

Assignment Length:

• HRL Summer internship assignments typically span 8 to 12 weeks, with three available cohort start dates: May 25, June 1 and June 15.

Stipend: 

• For students who will be relocating and renting in the Malibu, CA area for the summer we offer a 1 time stipend to help with moving costs. Specific information on pay out and requirements to be discussed with your recruiter. 

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. 

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

For our privacy policy please visit: www.hrl.com/privacy