Embedded Software Engineer Internships
Embedded software engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience building firmware and real-time systems, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated in Manufacturing, with Tesla, CNH Industrial, and BAE Systems USA among the employers posting roles now.
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The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.
Aerospace Corporation is hiring an Embedded Systems / Software Engineering Undergraduate Interns for the Software Implementation and Integration Department within the Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD). Position will be full-time and 100% onsite at our office in El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA.
Job Summary
Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) staff couple the latest in information system technologies, such as elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real-time operating systems, and visualization frameworks, with expertise in cyber security, software architecture, software engineering, data science, Artificial Intelligence, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high-performance software intensive systems to our Intelligence Community, DoD, and civilian customers.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Participates in the software design & implementation of a simulated space system.
- Develops prototype software in Python, Java & C to operate on the simulated space element and the simulated ground element.
- Participates with an interdisciplinary team in ongoing research or technical programs with academic collaboration partners.
- Applies standard techniques and procedures to carry out a series of prescribed scientific and/or engineering tasks.
- Training and mentorship will be provided.
What Corporate Skills You Will Bring
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Must work well in a team environment.
- Must possess strong organizational, time management and project management skills.
- Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need.
- Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations.
- Demonstrate behavior that is consistent with the company’s values of Dedication to Mission Success, Technical Excellence, Commitment to Our People, Objectivity and Integrity, and Innovation
What You Need to Be Successful
Minimum Requirements:
- Currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college/university degree program pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related technical field(s)
- Availability to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside of university term and ability to return to a degree program full- time after completion of the internship.
- Experience with Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)
- Experience programming in Python, C/C++, or JAVA
- Ability to work with common cloud computing services such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure.
- This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
- Transcripts required.
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- GPA 3.5 or higher
- Active TS/SCI
- Prior participation in agile software development.
Temporary housing assistance is not available.
We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.
(Min - Max)
$25.00 - $30.00 Pay Basis: HourlyLeadership Competencies
Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:
- Operate Strategically
- Lead Change
- Engage with Impact
- Foster Innovation
- Deliver Results
Ways We Reward Our Employees
During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.
Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:
Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
Flexible spending accounts
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
Relocation assistance
Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
Education assistance programs
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .
The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.
Aerospace Corporation is hiring an Embedded Systems / Software Engineering Undergraduate Interns for the Software Implementation and Integration Department within the Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD). Position will be full-time and 100% onsite at our office in El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA.
Job Summary
Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) staff couple the latest in information system technologies, such as elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real-time operating systems, and visualization frameworks, with expertise in cyber security, software architecture, software engineering, data science, Artificial Intelligence, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high-performance software intensive systems to our Intelligence Community, DoD, and civilian customers.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Participates in the software design & implementation of a simulated space system.
- Develops prototype software in Python, Java & C to operate on the simulated space element and the simulated ground element.
- Participates with an interdisciplinary team in ongoing research or technical programs with academic collaboration partners.
- Applies standard techniques and procedures to carry out a series of prescribed scientific and/or engineering tasks.
- Training and mentorship will be provided.
What Corporate Skills You Will Bring
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Must work well in a team environment.
- Must possess strong organizational, time management and project management skills.
- Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need.
- Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations.
- Demonstrate behavior that is consistent with the company’s values of Dedication to Mission Success, Technical Excellence, Commitment to Our People, Objectivity and Integrity, and Innovation
What You Need to Be Successful
Minimum Requirements:
- Currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college/university degree program pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related technical field(s)
- Availability to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside of university term and ability to return to a degree program full- time after completion of the internship.
- Experience with Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)
- Experience programming in Python, C/C++, or JAVA
- Ability to work with common cloud computing services such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure.
- This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
- Transcripts required.
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- GPA 3.5 or higher
- Active TS/SCI
- Prior participation in agile software development.
Temporary housing assistance is not available.
We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.
(Min - Max)
$25.00 - $30.00 Pay Basis: HourlyLeadership Competencies
Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:
- Operate Strategically
- Lead Change
- Engage with Impact
- Foster Innovation
- Deliver Results
Ways We Reward Our Employees
During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.
Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:
Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
Flexible spending accounts
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
Relocation assistance
Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
Education assistance programs
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .
Embedded Software Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- Tesla10
- CNH Industrial4
- BAE Systems USA4
- Cisco2
- Amazon2
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
Tips for Your Embedded Software Engineer Internship Search
Apply in fall for the following summer
Large employers in semiconductor, defense, and automotive sectors open summer internship applications as early as August and close them by November. Waiting until spring means most structured cohorts are already full. Set reminders to check listings each fall and submit applications before holiday hiring freezes.
Build a GitHub portfolio before you apply
Embedded software engineer intern screens assess your ability to write firmware, configure peripherals, and debug hardware. A GitHub repository showing a complete project, such as a bare-metal RTOS implementation or a sensor driver with documentation, gives recruiters something concrete to evaluate when your work history is limited.
Work campus fairs and direct applications together
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Professors and your career center frequently know which embedded systems employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to smaller companies running their own cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach.
Practice coding and debugging on real hardware out loud
Embedded software engineer intern interviews commonly include a coding screen covering data structures and low-level programming, plus questions on interrupts, memory management, and debugging methodology. Practice explaining your reasoning as you work through problems, not just producing an answer, since interviewers weigh how you think through a hardware constraint as much as the final solution.
Target structured university and rotational programs early
Several large semiconductor and defense companies run formal rotational or university internship programs designed to train candidates new to embedded development. These programs recruit well ahead of general postings and fill fast. Identify the ones that fit your focus area, whether that is firmware, FPGA development, or real-time systems, and apply in the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 50% of the embedded software engineer internships listed here. Embedded development frequently requires lab access, hardware bring-up, and bench debugging, so on-site or hybrid arrangements are common. Decide what you can commit to before searching and filter by location and work type so you are not sorting through roles you cannot take.
Embedded Software Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an embedded software engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. The concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a GitHub repository or portfolio showing firmware, driver code, or RTOS projects with clear documentation. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an embedded software engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for embedded software engineer interns is consistent delivery on real work, available headcount on the team at offer time, and return-offer windows that close before graduation. Position for one by treating your project like a full-time assignment, but keep applying to other roles throughout.
When should I apply for embedded software engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers at semiconductor, aerospace, and automotive companies recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing applications by November. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings consistently rather than waiting for a single season prevents you from missing early-closing cohorts.
Are embedded software engineer internships paid?
Most professional embedded software engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer discloses it. Unpaid arrangements are rare outside certain academic research settings and are not the norm for engineering internships at commercial employers.
What should an embedded software engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects naming the microcontroller or processor, the toolchain, and the language used, with a linked GitHub repository so reviewers can read the code. Add relevant coursework in embedded systems, real-time operating systems, and hardware interfaces. Keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote embedded software engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 50% of the embedded software engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get embedded software engineer internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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