Electrical Engineering Internship - Winter/Spring 2027 (Early Interest)

Pyka; Alameda; On-site; CAD 72,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid holidays

Generous PTO

Unpaid time off

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Free catered lunch

Visa sponsorship

Job summary

Pyka is seeking an Electrical Engineering Intern to support the design, testing, and validation of aircraft subsystems in Alameda, CA. This hands-on, in-person role offers exposure to real-world power electronics, embedded systems, and aviation hardware.

You’ll work under senior engineers, contributing across hardware design, testing, and system integration, with a variety of projects week to week.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering.
• Projects in embedded systems, power electronics, or motor control.
• Familiarity with test equipment (oscilloscope, power supply, multimeter).
• C or C++ coursework or projects.

Responsibilities

• Assist with schematic capture and PCB layout.
• Support component selection and BOM creation.
• Assemble, bring up, and test PCBs in the lab.
• Run bench tests and analyze results.
• Assist with documentation and test procedures.
• Collaborate with Mechanical, Software, and Test teams during integration.

Skills

Embedded systems

Power electronics

Motor control

Control systems

C / C++

Electronics lab equipment

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

KiCad

Eagle

Job description

About Pyka

Pyka’s goal is to provide society with a new form of safe, clean, and cost-effective transportation enabled by autonomous electric aviation.

To get there, we’re taking a different approach than most. We're applying our technologies to every industry where autonomous electric aircraft can be useful, starting with the highest value and most dangerous jobs. In doing so, we're building game-changing products manufactured at scale, while perfecting the safety, reliability, and capabilities of our autonomy engine and electric propulsion systems.

We design, develop and manufacture an ecosystem of technologies including proprietary flight control software, avionics, high power density motors, motor controllers, batteries, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes.

Today, we supply autonomous electric aircraft for cargo transport and crop protection to real-world customers across four separate continents and have secured industry-first regulatory approvals from the FAA. Our cargo aircraft enables remote connectivity, enhances express delivery networks, and ensures fast and reliable shipping of critical supplies to areas in need. Our crop protection aircraft offers agricultural services providers and farmers an autonomous tool to make aerial application safer, more precise, and less harmful to surrounding environments. Both vehicles are highly economical to operate, easy to deploy, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions in their respective industries.

What you work on at Pyka makes people’s lives better now and brings the future of electric aviation one step closer each day.

Role Overview

Pyka is looking for an Electrical Engineering Intern to support our Electrical Engineering team in the design, testing, and validation of aircraft subsystems. This is a hands‑on, in‑person internship ideal for students who want exposure to real‑world power electronics, embedded systems, and aviation hardware.

You’ll work under the guidance of senior engineers and contribute to active development programs. The scope of work will vary week to week, giving you broad exposure across hardware design, testing, and system integration.

What you’ll work on

• Depending on project timing and your interests, you may support work on:
• High-power motor controller systems (30kW–100kW)
• Aircraft electronics for pumps, spray systems, and sensors
• Avionics and air data boards
• Test PCBs and hardware fixtures to support validation and manufacturing

Responsibilities

• Assist with schematic capture and PCB layout for embedded and power electronics systems
• Support component selection and BOM creation under engineer supervision
• Help assemble, bring up, and test PCBs in the lab
• Run bench tests, collect data, and help analyze results
• Support debugging of electrical and embedded systems issues
• Assist with documentation including test procedures, results, and design notes
• Collaborate with Mechanical, Software, and Test teams during integration and testing

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• Coursework or project experience in: Embedded systems, Power electronics, motor control, or control systems, Familiarity with basic electronics lab equipment (oscilloscope, power supply, multimeter), Exposure to C or C++ (coursework or personal projects is fine)
• Ability to work on‑site in Alameda, CA

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with schematic capture or PCB layout tools (Altium, KiCad, Eagle, etc.)
• Exposure to motor control concepts (FOC, PWM, inverters—even at a conceptual level)
• Hands‑on experience from student teams (Formula SAE, robotics, drones, solar car, etc.)
• Curiosity, strong problem‑solving instincts, and a willingness to ask questions
• We understand that candidates bring different strengths and experiences, and you don’t need to meet every qualification to be considered. If this role excites you, we’d love to learn more about you. You may be a great fit even if your background doesn’t align perfectly with the list.

Compensation and Benefits

• $38-$43/hr pay. Compensation will vary depending on location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly wage ranges are subject to change.
• Employer‑sponsored health, dental and vision insurance
• Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off
• Voluntary short‑term disability, long‑term disability, and life insurance
• Pre‑tax commuter benefits
• Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks
• Visa sponsorship

Export Control Requirements

This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls. Employment in this position is conditioned on the continued availability of government authorization to authorize release of such items, to the extent required, including without limitation an export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items.

Company may delay commencement of employment, rescind an offer of employment, terminate employment, and/or may modify job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and/or access to Company facilities and information systems, as Company deems appropriate, in order to ensure compliance with applicable government access control restrictions.

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