Research and development internship jobs in Huntsville, AL

Our Summer Internship Program is meticulously designed to provide students with an immersive and dynamic experience within our industry, offering a taste of what it's like to be part of our professional team. We strive to simulate a full-time job, enabling our interns to work hands-on with cutting-edge technology, contribute to meaningful projects, build strong relationships with coworkers, and develop strategic problem-solving skills. Our program is highly selective, hosting only a handful of interns each year, ensuring personalized attention and ample opportunities to work closely with AV team members. We are hiring for various roles and locations throughout the U.S. During the interview process, we will discuss specific details regarding the team and location. Summary As an Embedded Software Engineering Intern, you will work alongside experienced engineers to design, develop, and test embedded software for unmanned aerial and robotic systems. You'll gain hands-on experience in real-world development, writing software that runs on microcontrollers, processors, and other hardware used in flight systems, sensors, and payloads. You'll contribute to projects at various stages of the development lifecycle - from prototyping and integration to testing and validation - while learning industry best practices in embedded software development. Position Responsibilities * Assist in writing and testing embedded software for systems such as autopilots, sensors, radios, and other onboard components. * Help implement software in C/C++ for real-time and bare-metal systems using microcontrollers and embedded platforms. * Support the integration of embedded software with hardware, including debugging with lab tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, etc.). * Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including electrical, systems, and mechanical engineers, to ensure cohesive development. * Participate in peer reviews, software documentation, and configuration management processes. * Contribute to lab testing and field testing of embedded systems in support of real-world mission scenarios. * Assist in the development of prototypes and proof-of-concept demonstrations. Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience) * Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. * Basic knowledge of embedded systems and microcontrollers. * Familiarity with programming languages such as C, C++, or Python. * Understanding of low-level software concepts, such as memory management, interrupts, or device drivers. * Exposure to hardware communication protocols like I2C, SPI, UART, or CAN. * Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills. * Effective verbal and written communication. * Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Preferred Qualifications & Competencies * Hands-on experience with microcontroller platforms (e.g., STM32, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar). * Familiarity with RTOS environments (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr). * Exposure to Linux-based development or embedded Linux environments. * Experience with lab equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters). * Interest in aerospace, robotics, or autonomous systems. * Initiative, curiosity, and a passion for learning and innovation. Physical Demands * Ability to work in an office and R&D environment (Constant) * Required to sit, type, and use office/lab equipment for extended periods (Frequent) * Occasional hands-on work in lab and field test environments may be required ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment's business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements. Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: ********************************** We also encourage you to review our company website at ******************** to learn more about us. Principals only need apply. NO agencies please. Who We Are Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we've been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world's most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution's permanent collection in Washington, DC. Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty - and succeed. What We Do Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company's hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status. ITAR