Worker Type
Supplemental
Job Description
Summer Internship Program
Our paid Summer Internship Program is designed to provide students with an immersive, hands-on experience within the aerospace and defense industry. Interns work alongside AV team members on meaningful projects involving cutting-edge technology while developing professional relationships, strategic problem-solving skills, and practical experience in a full-time work environment.
This is a 12-week, onsite program intended for highly motivated and passionate students who are currently enrolled in college or are recent graduates. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, with a preference for students at the junior level or above.
Our program has been recognized by Yello and WayUp as one of the Top 100 Internship Programs in the United States for multiple years.
Depending on the team and location, students who are willing to relocate for their internship may be eligible for a relocation and housing reimbursement stipend.
AV offers internship opportunities across various teams and locations throughout the United States. Specific team, location, and program details will be discussed during the interview process.
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.
Position 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.
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)
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.
Preferred Qualifications & Competencies
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.
Physical Demands
Ability to work in an office and R&D environment (Constant)
Required to sit, type, and use office/lab equipment for extended periods (Frequent)
Occasional hands-on work in lab and field test environments may be required
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 will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their 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 pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Basic knowledge of embedded systems and microcontrollers
- Familiarity with C, C++, or Python
- Understanding of low-level software concepts, including memory management, interrupts, or device drivers
- Exposure to I2C, SPI, UART, or CAN hardware communication protocols
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
- Effective verbal and written communication
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
- Hands-on experience with STM32, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar microcontroller platforms
- Familiarity with FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or similar RTOS environments
- Exposure to Linux-based or embedded Linux development
- Experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, or similar lab equipment
- Interest in aerospace, robotics, or autonomous systems
- Ability to provide documentation verifying U.S. person status under ITAR and/or EAR requirements
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.
