Radio Frequency Design Engineer Internships
Radio frequency design engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career candidates hands-on project experience designing and testing RF systems, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated in {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Tesla, Lockheed Martin, and Type One Energy among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 9+ Radio Frequency Design Engineer Internships
Standard Job Description
At Lockheed Martin we keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work. With our employees as our priority, we provide career opportunities designed to propel development and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. This is a place for engineers, scientists, and problem-solvers who are ready to engage deeply, think critically, and build with purpose. You will not just launch a career. You will be part of something bigger. This is where the best are built.
Performs assignments in technical/engineering organizations (e.g., Electronics Engineering, Software Engineering, Facilities Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering) during vacations and short-term breaks from college attendance while enrolled in an accredited degree program.
Basic Qualifications
- In Pursuit of a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related technical field.
- Basic knowledge / experience / coursework in High Frequency Systems / RF / Microwave design
- Basic knowledge/experience with Electronics design and test utilizing benchtop test equipment
- Must be a US Citizen; this position will require a government security clearance. This position is located at a facility that requires special access.
Desired Skills
- Previous internship experiecne related to RF Engineering and/or Defense industry
- Proficiency with MATLAB
- Basic knowledge/experience using RF modeling tools such as HFSS, ADS, and/or Microwave Office
- Basic knowledge/experience using PCB Design tools such as Altium, Xpedition, and/or Zuken
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $22.66 - $31.67
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
- For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
Standard Job Description
At Lockheed Martin we keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work. With our employees as our priority, we provide career opportunities designed to propel development and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. This is a place for engineers, scientists, and problem-solvers who are ready to engage deeply, think critically, and build with purpose. You will not just launch a career. You will be part of something bigger. This is where the best are built.
Performs assignments in technical/engineering organizations (e.g., Electronics Engineering, Software Engineering, Facilities Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering) during vacations and short-term breaks from college attendance while enrolled in an accredited degree program.
Basic Qualifications
- In Pursuit of a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related technical field.
- Basic knowledge / experience / coursework in High Frequency Systems / RF / Microwave design
- Basic knowledge/experience with Electronics design and test utilizing benchtop test equipment
- Must be a US Citizen; this position will require a government security clearance. This position is located at a facility that requires special access.
Desired Skills
- Previous internship experiecne related to RF Engineering and/or Defense industry
- Proficiency with MATLAB
- Basic knowledge/experience using RF modeling tools such as HFSS, ADS, and/or Microwave Office
- Basic knowledge/experience using PCB Design tools such as Altium, Xpedition, and/or Zuken
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $22.66 - $31.67
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
- For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
Radio Frequency Design Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Radio Frequency Design Engineer Internship Search
Apply for summer roles in the fall
Large defense contractors, semiconductor firms, and telecom employers open summer RF internship applications as early as September. Waiting until spring puts you behind cohorts that are already filled. Set a target date in early fall and treat the application cycle the same way you would an exam deadline.
Build a portfolio before you apply
RF internship hiring teams expect limited work history, so your strongest proof is documented project work. Collect simulation files, antenna measurement results, PCB layouts, or lab reports that show hands-on RF design experience. Link to them from your resume so recruiters can assess your skills directly, not just read about them.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Career fairs surface structured university-partnership programs that may never post publicly, and professors often know which employers recruit from your school before roles appear online. Applying directly to smaller companies running their own cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and reduces your reliance on any single channel.
Practice your technical screen out loud
RF internship interviews typically include a technical screen covering electromagnetics fundamentals, transmission line theory, and circuit analysis, sometimes with a short design or troubleshooting problem. Practice solving these problems out loud before your first interview, explaining your reasoning as you go, since interviewers weigh how you think through the problem as much as the final answer.
Target structured RF engineering internship programs early
Larger employers in defense, aerospace, and semiconductors run cohort-based RF engineering programs designed to train students new to applied work. These programs recruit in the first application wave each fall, fill fast, and often convert interns at higher rates than ad hoc roles. Identify the ones that fit your background and get your application in with the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the radio frequency design engineer internships listed here. RF lab and hardware work is heavily on-site by nature, so decide what locations and arrangements you can commit to before you start searching. Filtering by work type and location upfront keeps you from spending time on roles you can't take.
Radio Frequency Design Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a radio frequency design engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern stage. Build a portfolio that shows RF circuit designs, antenna simulation outputs, or lab reports with measured results, giving recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a radio frequency design engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for RF interns is delivering quality work on real design tasks, fitting the team culture, and asking early about headcount and return-offer timelines. Position yourself by treating every project as a demonstration of full-time readiness, without counting on conversion as the outcome.
When should I apply for radio frequency design engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large defense contractors, semiconductor companies, and telecom employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with applications closing months before the program starts. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you won't miss shorter application windows.
Are radio frequency design engineer internships paid?
Most professional radio frequency design engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Listings show pay where the employer discloses it, so you can compare opportunities directly as you apply.
What should a radio frequency design engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Highlight two or three complete, documented projects, naming the tools used, such as MATLAB, ADS, HFSS, or similar simulation software, and link to any published results, design files, or lab writeups where possible. Add relevant coursework in electromagnetics, microwave engineering, or signal processing, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote radio frequency design engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the radio frequency design 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.
What is a DoD or defense-sector RF engineering internship program?
Major defense contractors and government agencies run structured RF engineering internship cohorts that place students on programs involving radar, electronic warfare, or communications systems. These programs target students new to applied RF work, pair them with cleared engineers, and recruit early in the fall semester. They are competitive and fill in the first application wave, so identify the programs that fit your background and apply without delay.
Can international students get radio frequency design 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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