RF Engineer Internships
Rf engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working with real RF systems, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Electronics & Hardware, with Skyworks Solutions, MACOM Technology Solutions, and inversion among the employers posting roles now.
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i3 has an exciting opportunity for an RF Engineering Intern to support the Naval Research Laboratory, Tactical Electronic Warfare Division. The TEWD's mission is to protect the warfighter from emerging threats by advancing electronic warfare (EW) through RDT&E of current and future technologies.
This internship is for the Summer 2027 time frame and will be an on-site internship.
Pay Range $25-48/hour
The pay range for this position is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, geographic location, and any applicable laws.
Responsibilities:
- Assist with designing, developing, integrating, and testing RF subsystems in seekers for threat simulators
- Support analysis of emerging RF seeker threats and help document findings for stakeholders
- Collect and evaluate experimental data using laboratory RF test equipment under the guidance of senior engineers
- Assist with modeling and simulation of RF components and basic circuitry
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Education/Experience:
- Currently enrolled in a BS or MS degree in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field. Candidate must be a current student at the time of the internship
- Completed academic coursework covering electromagnetics, RF circuits, signals, or communications
- Foundational experience with modeling and simulation of RF components through coursework or academic projects
- Basic familiarity with RF front-end concepts such as antenna design
- Hands-on laboratory experience with basic RF and electrical test equipment gained through university labs
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security clearance. An Active Secret clearance is required prior to start
- US. Citizenship is required
Desired Education/Experience:
- Coursework or exposure to digital signal processing in radar applications
- Familiarity with RF test and evaluation using tools such as Keysight ADS and spectrum analyzers
- Exposure to RF antennas and beamforming networks
- Experience applying MATLAB to simulation and data analysis
- Familiarity with matched filtering principles
- Interest in or exposure to anechoic chamber operations
Knowledge/Skills
- Knowledge of office administration and procedures.
- Exceptional judgment capabilities and relationship management skills.
- Excellent communication, teamwork, and client service skills; ability to clearly communicate in discussions and written documents, and to deliver feedback clearly and tactfully.
- Interact with a diverse array of customers and staff in a professional and courteous manner.
- Work with supervision and have accountability for accurate and complete results.
- Be extremely organized and exceptionally detail oriented.
- Work well both independently and in a team environment.
- Be energized by a fast-paced work environment.
- Must be able to communicate with others effectively.
- Analyze information and respond appropriately.
- Manage time wisely and prioritize tasks.
- Provide superior customer service.
- Multi-task in a pleasant manner.
- Work well under pressure.
Physical Demands
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
- The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- Regular i3 hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, however, additional hours may be required on occasion. Regular and punctual attendance is required.
i3 team members operate at the leading edge of national defense across a broad range of technical disciplines, from systems and software engineering to modeling, simulation, and training solutions to cybersecurity, digital engineering, and enterprise IT. We also take products from prototype through production, bringing that same engineering rigor to manufacturing and delivering hardware at scale. For candidates, that means a rare opportunity: the innovation and mission focus of an engineering services company paired with the hands-on impact of building and delivering real solutions that benefit the Warfighter, all inside an employee-owned company where your contributions directly shape both the mission and your ownership stake in the business.
i3 has an exciting opportunity for an RF Engineering Intern to support the Naval Research Laboratory, Tactical Electronic Warfare Division. The TEWD's mission is to protect the warfighter from emerging threats by advancing electronic warfare (EW) through RDT&E of current and future technologies.
This internship is for the Summer 2027 time frame and will be an on-site internship.
Pay Range $25-48/hour
The pay range for this position is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, geographic location, and any applicable laws.
Responsibilities:
- Assist with designing, developing, integrating, and testing RF subsystems in seekers for threat simulators
- Support analysis of emerging RF seeker threats and help document findings for stakeholders
- Collect and evaluate experimental data using laboratory RF test equipment under the guidance of senior engineers
- Assist with modeling and simulation of RF components and basic circuitry
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Education/Experience:
- Currently enrolled in a BS or MS degree in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field. Candidate must be a current student at the time of the internship
- Completed academic coursework covering electromagnetics, RF circuits, signals, or communications
- Foundational experience with modeling and simulation of RF components through coursework or academic projects
- Basic familiarity with RF front-end concepts such as antenna design
- Hands-on laboratory experience with basic RF and electrical test equipment gained through university labs
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security clearance. An Active Secret clearance is required prior to start
- US. Citizenship is required
Desired Education/Experience:
- Coursework or exposure to digital signal processing in radar applications
- Familiarity with RF test and evaluation using tools such as Keysight ADS and spectrum analyzers
- Exposure to RF antennas and beamforming networks
- Experience applying MATLAB to simulation and data analysis
- Familiarity with matched filtering principles
- Interest in or exposure to anechoic chamber operations
Knowledge/Skills
- Knowledge of office administration and procedures.
- Exceptional judgment capabilities and relationship management skills.
- Excellent communication, teamwork, and client service skills; ability to clearly communicate in discussions and written documents, and to deliver feedback clearly and tactfully.
- Interact with a diverse array of customers and staff in a professional and courteous manner.
- Work with supervision and have accountability for accurate and complete results.
- Be extremely organized and exceptionally detail oriented.
- Work well both independently and in a team environment.
- Be energized by a fast-paced work environment.
- Must be able to communicate with others effectively.
- Analyze information and respond appropriately.
- Manage time wisely and prioritize tasks.
- Provide superior customer service.
- Multi-task in a pleasant manner.
- Work well under pressure.
Physical Demands
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
- The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- Regular i3 hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, however, additional hours may be required on occasion. Regular and punctual attendance is required.
i3 team members operate at the leading edge of national defense across a broad range of technical disciplines, from systems and software engineering to modeling, simulation, and training solutions to cybersecurity, digital engineering, and enterprise IT. We also take products from prototype through production, bringing that same engineering rigor to manufacturing and delivering hardware at scale. For candidates, that means a rare opportunity: the innovation and mission focus of an engineering services company paired with the hands-on impact of building and delivering real solutions that benefit the Warfighter, all inside an employee-owned company where your contributions directly shape both the mission and your ownership stake in the business.
RF Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
Tips for Your RF Engineer Internship Search
Apply months before the start date
Large aerospace, defense, and telecom employers recruit summer rf engineer interns the preceding fall, closing cohorts well before spring. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Check listings throughout the year so you catch structured early programs and rolling openings from smaller employers alike.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for rf engineer interns expect limited work history and weigh project evidence instead. Document two or three complete projects showing RF circuit designs, antenna simulations, or signal-processing work, name every tool used, and make the work viewable, whether through a linked portfolio, shared simulation files, or a published design. That gives recruiters something concrete to assess.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured rf engineer internship programs tied directly to your university, and your professors and career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside your campus activity widens the pool you reach and fills gaps the structured programs do not cover.
Practice your technical screen out loud
RF engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering electromagnetics, transmission line theory, RF circuit fundamentals, and sometimes signal processing or systems concepts. Practice solving problems out loud and explaining your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you work through a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured RF internship programs early
Larger defense contractors, government labs, and technology companies run structured cohort or university internship programs specifically built to train early-career rf engineers. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and often have dedicated recruiting timelines separate from general hiring. Identify the programs that match your background and apply in the first wave of their cycle.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the rf engineer internships listed here, reflecting how much of the work involves lab equipment, anechoic chambers, and hardware testing. Decide what you can actually commit to before you start reviewing listings, then filter by location and work type so you are not sorting through roles you cannot take.
RF Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an rf engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For rf engineer candidates, the concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a documented project portfolio showing RF circuit designs, antenna simulations, or signal-processing work with the tools used. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an rf 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 rf engineer interns is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest before the return-offer decision. Position for one by treating every deliverable seriously, but keep applying to other roles so you are not counting on it.
When should I apply for rf engineer internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers in aerospace, defense, and telecom recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before spring semester begins. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you catch both early structured programs and rolling openings from smaller employers.
Are rf engineer internships paid?
Most professional rf engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Larger defense contractors and technology companies tend to offer structured compensation packages, while smaller firms and research settings may vary more widely.
What should an rf engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects showing the RF tools and software you used, such as HFSS, ADS, MATLAB, or similar, and link to any published work, simulation files, or design portfolios where the work is visible. Add relevant coursework in electromagnetics, microwave theory, or communications systems, and keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote rf engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the rf engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Because RF work often involves lab equipment and hardware testing, fully remote cohorts are less typical than in software roles, but they do exist, particularly for simulation, modeling, and systems analysis work. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them.
Can international students get rf 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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