Flight Software Engineer Internships
Flight software engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience building embedded systems and real-time control software, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated in {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Hermeus, Rocket Lab USA, and York Space Systems among the employers posting roles now.
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About the Team:
You'll join a small, fast-moving team building the avionics and flight software for a new flight vehicle program from clean sheet. Everything is actively being built, integrated, and tested on real hardware supporting real tests.
This role will focus on developing simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) infrastructure, combining software development, flight simulation, and hands-on hardware integration.
Small team, big ownership, and we move at speeds the rest of the industry doesn't.
Responsibilities:
- Support development of a 6-DOF flight simulation including vehicle dynamics, sensor/actuator models, and engine/plant models to verify flight software in closed loop.
- Support hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing, including integrating flight computers, avionics, sensors, actuators, and cable harnesses.
- Write simulation and test software primarily in C++, with Python and MATLAB used for modeling and tooling.
- Troubleshoot and integrate hardware using schematics, pinouts, connectors, and common bench tools.
- Build tooling that makes simulation and HITL testing fast, repeatable, and data-rich through logging, playback, and automation.
- Independently own simulation and integration tasks from initial setup through testing and troubleshooting.
Required Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- Working proficiency in C++.
- Strong understanding of physics and dynamics fundamentals, including rigid-body dynamics, classical mechanics, reference frames, and equations of motion.
- Comfortable working hands-on with hardware, including reading schematics and pinouts, building or terminating cables, and troubleshooting hardware.
- Comfortable using common bench tools such as a multimeter, oscilloscope, and power supply.
- Comfortable working in a Linux command-line environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary technical teams.
- GPA of 3.0 or above.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Working knowledge of MATLAB and/or Python for simulation modeling, analysis, and tooling.
- Experience with 6-DOF simulation, flight or vehicle dynamics modeling, or software-in-the-loop (SITL).
- Hardware-in-the-loop (HITL), real-time, or embedded systems experience.
- GNC coursework or projects involving controls, state estimation, navigation, or flight dynamics.
- Soldering, connectorization, or wire-harness fabrication experience.
- Hands-on experience with robotics, UAVs/drones, rocketry, FSAE, CubeSat, or similar technical teams.
- Previous simulation, GNC, avionics, or flight software internship experience.
- Currently pursuing a graduate degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
The hourly rate listed for this internship is intended as a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined based on degree level.
Benefits:
- Time Off: Interns are eligible for 5 days of sick leave and unpaid time off.
- Office Perks: Weekly paid office lunches and fully stocked breakrooms.
#LI-JC3
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
About the Team:
You'll join a small, fast-moving team building the avionics and flight software for a new flight vehicle program from clean sheet. Everything is actively being built, integrated, and tested on real hardware supporting real tests.
This role will focus on developing simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) infrastructure, combining software development, flight simulation, and hands-on hardware integration.
Small team, big ownership, and we move at speeds the rest of the industry doesn't.
Responsibilities:
- Support development of a 6-DOF flight simulation including vehicle dynamics, sensor/actuator models, and engine/plant models to verify flight software in closed loop.
- Support hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing, including integrating flight computers, avionics, sensors, actuators, and cable harnesses.
- Write simulation and test software primarily in C++, with Python and MATLAB used for modeling and tooling.
- Troubleshoot and integrate hardware using schematics, pinouts, connectors, and common bench tools.
- Build tooling that makes simulation and HITL testing fast, repeatable, and data-rich through logging, playback, and automation.
- Independently own simulation and integration tasks from initial setup through testing and troubleshooting.
Required Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- Working proficiency in C++.
- Strong understanding of physics and dynamics fundamentals, including rigid-body dynamics, classical mechanics, reference frames, and equations of motion.
- Comfortable working hands-on with hardware, including reading schematics and pinouts, building or terminating cables, and troubleshooting hardware.
- Comfortable using common bench tools such as a multimeter, oscilloscope, and power supply.
- Comfortable working in a Linux command-line environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary technical teams.
- GPA of 3.0 or above.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Working knowledge of MATLAB and/or Python for simulation modeling, analysis, and tooling.
- Experience with 6-DOF simulation, flight or vehicle dynamics modeling, or software-in-the-loop (SITL).
- Hardware-in-the-loop (HITL), real-time, or embedded systems experience.
- GNC coursework or projects involving controls, state estimation, navigation, or flight dynamics.
- Soldering, connectorization, or wire-harness fabrication experience.
- Hands-on experience with robotics, UAVs/drones, rocketry, FSAE, CubeSat, or similar technical teams.
- Previous simulation, GNC, avionics, or flight software internship experience.
- Currently pursuing a graduate degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
The hourly rate listed for this internship is intended as a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined based on degree level.
Benefits:
- Time Off: Interns are eligible for 5 days of sick leave and unpaid time off.
- Office Perks: Weekly paid office lunches and fully stocked breakrooms.
#LI-JC3
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Flight Software Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Flight Software Engineer Internship Search
Apply months before the summer start date
Large aerospace, defense, and space employers open summer internship applications the preceding fall, and many cohorts fill before the new year. Set a reminder to search in September and October so you are not competing for the final seats when the spring rush hits.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for flight software engineer interns expect limited work history and assess candidates through code and documentation instead. Push two or three complete projects to a public repository, write a clear README for each, and make sure the languages and tools match what real-time embedded roles require: C, C++, and Python are the most common.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Career fairs bring aerospace and defense recruiters who fill structured university-tied programs, and your professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to smaller companies running targeted cohorts at the same time so you reach the full pool of available internships.
Practice your technical screen before you submit
Flight software engineer intern interviews typically include a coding screen focused on data structures, algorithms, and sometimes embedded or systems-level problems. Practice solving problems out loud and explaining your reasoning at each step, because interviewers weigh how you think through constraints as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Flight Software Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a flight software engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A linked GitHub repository showing embedded C, C++, or Python work gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where aerospace and defense recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a flight software engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it most is performance on real deliverables, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest before the return-offer window closes. Treat the internship as an extended interview, stay engaged on your assigned project, and ask your manager about the timeline for decisions without counting on a particular outcome.
When should I apply for flight software engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large aerospace and defense employers, along with government contractors, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with applications sometimes closing before winter break. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round and reward consistent searching rather than a single seasonal push.
Are flight software engineer internships paid?
Most professional flight software engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry segment, and location, so the specifics differ meaningfully across employers. Where the employer discloses pay, it appears directly in the listing, so you can compare offers as you apply.
What should a flight software engineer internship resume include?
Lead with two or three complete, documented projects rather than work history. For each, name the tools and languages used and link to the code repository or technical write-up so reviewers can assess your work directly. Add relevant coursework in real-time systems, embedded software, or control theory, and keep the whole document to one page.
What is a flight software engineering rotational internship?
Some large aerospace employers run structured rotational programs that cycle interns across multiple engineering teams, such as guidance systems, avionics software, and ground support tools, over a single summer or multi-term co-op. These programs are designed for students new to the field, recruit heavily on campus in the fall, and are competitive, so identifying them early and applying in the first wave matters.
Can international students get flight 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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