Embedded Systems Engineer Internships
Embedded systems engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience building real firmware and hardware systems, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Roles are concentrated across Manufacturing, with Tesla, BAE Systems USA, and Cisco among the employers posting roles now.
Find InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 24+ Embedded Systems Engineer Internships
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 Systems Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
Tips for Your Embedded Systems Engineer Internship Search
Apply to summer roles in the fall
Large employers in defense, aerospace, and semiconductors open their embedded systems engineer summer internship applications as early as August and close them by November. Waiting until spring puts you behind most of the competitive cohort. Set reminders to check postings as soon as a new academic year begins.
Build a hardware or firmware portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for embedded systems engineer internships want evidence of hands-on work, a GitHub repository with microcontroller projects, PCB schematics, RTOS implementations, or a documented personal hardware build. Two or three complete projects with clear documentation and linked code give recruiters something concrete to evaluate when your work history is limited.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and your professors and career center staff often know which embedded systems employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and catches openings that never appear at fairs.
Practice your technical screen out loud before interviews
Embedded systems engineer intern screens typically include coding questions on data structures, bitwise operations, and memory management, plus hardware or debugging scenarios. Practice solving problems aloud and narrating your reasoning, interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you reach the correct answer. Timed mock sessions under realistic conditions build both speed and composure.
Target co-op and rotational programs built for new engineers
Many larger aerospace, defense, and semiconductor companies run structured embedded systems co-op or rotational programs designed to train students with limited industry experience. These programs recruit on fixed academic calendars and fill their cohorts early. Identify the programs that align with your school schedule and apply in the first recruitment wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 43% of the embedded systems engineer internships listed here, reflecting how much of the work involves lab access, hardware prototypes, and test equipment. Decide what location and work arrangement you can commit to before you start applying on Migrate Mate, then filter by work type so you're not sorting through roles you can't actually take.
Embedded Systems Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an embedded systems engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A GitHub repository showing firmware projects, microcontroller code, or hardware schematics gives recruiters something concrete to evaluate for embedded systems engineer candidates. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts, and attend campus career fairs, where embedded systems recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an embedded systems engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For embedded systems engineer interns, what actually drives it is performance on real engineering work, the team's available headcount at the end of the term, and return-offer timing relative to your graduation date. Position for a return offer by delivering on your project scope and building relationships, but treat full-time hiring as a separate process running in parallel.
When should I apply for embedded systems engineer internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers in aerospace, defense, and semiconductor companies recruit summer embedded systems engineer interns the preceding fall, often closing applications by October or November. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check listings regularly and prioritize early applications for structured cohort programs.
Are embedded systems engineer internships paid?
Most professional embedded systems engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Listings show pay ranges where the employer chooses to disclose them, so check individual postings for details. Unpaid arrangements are rare at private employers in this field and more common only in certain research or nonprofit settings.
What should an embedded systems engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects, each listing the microcontrollers, protocols, or tools used and linking to a GitHub repository or project write-up so reviewers can see the actual code or schematics. Add relevant coursework in embedded systems, digital design, or real-time operating systems. Keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote embedded systems engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 57% of the embedded systems engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Because embedded systems work often involves physical hardware, lab equipment, and prototype testing, remote cohorts are more selective and fill quickly. Apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a firmware or hardware co-op for embedded systems engineers?
A co-op is a structured, multi-term work placement, typically four to eight months, where you alternate semesters between coursework and full-time work at the same employer. Many aerospace, defense, and semiconductor companies run embedded systems co-op programs specifically designed to train students on real product development. These programs recruit early and are competitive, so identify the ones that fit your school calendar and apply in the first wave.
Can international students get embedded systems 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.
See All 24 Embedded Systems Engineer Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Internships