Systems Engineering and Integration Intern

About the role

The role helps shape how a novel aircraft is defined, structured, and connected. Team members translate concepts into working systems and confirm behavior through verification. The position suits people who are thorough, curious, and building experience in a demanding engineering setting. You will own the breakdown of complex aircraft concepts into clear, testable requirements. Collaboration with the engineering team ensures that aircraft capabilities, missions, and functions are consistently defined. The work directly supports the establishment of engineering processes for software changes, testing, and version control. You will verify and validate aircraft software to support development and regulatory compliance activities. Your contributions will integrate and test mission equipment including computers, radios, datalinks, cameras, and sensors in lab and field settings.

Key facts

What you'll do

Aircraft use-cases, capabilities, missions, and functions are defined with the engineering team.

Aircraft, system, and mission requirements are organized and kept consistent to support development.

With the team, engineering processes for software changes, testing, and version control are established and followed.

Verification and validation activities for aircraft software support development and compliance.

Integration and testing for a ground control station and its software are supported to confirm function.

Lab and field activities integrate and test mission equipment such as computers, radios, datalinks, cameras, and sensors.

Data from lab and field tests are collected and analyzed to assess system performance.

Test procedures are executed, and results are documented to provide clear feedback to the engineering team.

You will trace system behaviors to ensure that requirements are met across integrated hardware and software components.

Communication of findings, decisions, and trade studies is documented for the team to review and act upon.

Collaboration with team members ensures that development activities align with project objectives and processes.

Continuous improvement of integration and test methods is driven by analyzing results and updating procedures.

Requirements

You must be currently enrolled in or recently completed a bachelor's or advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, EE/ME, Computer Science, or a related field.

Your core discipline must be Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer Science.

Systems engineering coursework is desired along with a basic grasp of engineering development processes.

You must be able to visualize, articulate, and understand a system as a whole instead of only its parts.

Integration and testing of real hardware and software should be engaging for you.

You must work independently, own tasks, and ask strong questions when needed.

Strong curiosity, attention to detail, and a drive to make a meaningful impact are required.

You must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship for this position.

Nice to have

Experience with organized student project teams such as DBF, Formula SAE, Robotics/Mechatronics, or AI/Autonomy is valued.

Background in the mechanical, electrical, and software integration of components is preferred.

Coding skills in Python and C/C++ are beneficial.

Interest in system architecture, requirements, system safety, and engineering processes is encouraged.

Practical notes

This is an internship role based in Long Beach CA.

You must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship for this position.

Typical interview steps

Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds.

Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions.

Some loops include a take-home task.

Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions.

Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer.

Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.

Good to know

The role involves hands-on work with aircraft systems, hardware, and software in a demanding setting.

General engineering tools for system architecture, requirements, and processes are used in this role.

The role focuses on system thinking and integration testing.

Data collection and analysis support verification and validation activities.

The work contributes to aircraft development and test validation.