2026 Summer Internships (ECE/EE/CS)

Perceptive Innovation, Inc.; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Perceptive Innovation, Inc. is looking for an Embedded FPGA Software Engineer to join their team in Sterling, Virginia. The role involves developing real-time software for complex systems involving FPGA technology, alongside opportunities for summer internships focused on innovative projects.

Ideal candidates should be pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering or related fields, have proficiency in Linux OS, and a strong interest in embedded systems. We are committed to fostering new engineering talents and offer exciting opportunities to engage in advanced technological projects.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science.
• Working knowledge of Linux operating systems.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develop real-time software running on multicore Linux processors inside of Zynq Ultrascale+ FPGA SoC.
• Hands-on development of real-time FPGA software and firmware.
• Integrate multiple cameras, processor, and display in HMD headset prototype.

Skills

Linux operating systems

Debugging and problem-solving

Embedded systems

Real-time embedded system knowledge

Strong interest in hardware

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Xilinx FPGAs and Vivado Tool Suite

Altera FPGAs and Quartus Tool Suite

NVIDIA JetPack and CUDA Toolkit

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Perceptive Innovations, Inc. (PI2) is a young and growing small business specializing in advanced systems engineering, hardware, and software development. Perceptive Innovations develops innovative small-SWaP software‑defined tactical systems for ISR, threat warning, and operator situation awareness. We are currently developing a state of the art digital augmented reality multispectral day/night head mounted system which will set a new standard for photon‑to‑photon low latency, a wideband digital SIGINT receiver, and small SWaP Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). The company was founded with the purpose of developing new and innovative small‑SWaP software‑defined tactical systems that enable the advanced capabilities on body‑worn or small unmanned sensors such as:

Image Processing and Sensor Fusion

SIGINT

Multi‑INT Heterogeneous Sensing

Threat Warning and Geolocation

Advanced Navigation and Positioning

PI2's passion is to provide sensors for the tactical operator, hand‑launched UAS, unattended sensors, and enable future autonomous collaborative sensor networks. We have current programs developing advanced high‑performance low‑latency video processing for next‑generation digital night vision augmented‑reality goggles (FPGA‑based), and reduced‑SWaP combined synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and lidar (SAL) image formation (GPP‑ and FPGA‑based). To support our growing contract base, we are seeking a highly talented and motivated Embedded FPGA Software Engineer to develop realtime software running on multicore linux processors inside of the latest Zynq Ultrascale+ FPGA SoC. This project will develop prototype HMD headsets integrating multiple cameras, processor, and display, with hands‑on development of real time FPGA software and firmware culminating with interactive evaluation by actual operators.

Successful applicant must be a U.S. Citizen with the future ability to obtain a DoD Security Clearance

Exciting Times for Engineers at PI2

Perceptive Innovations (PI2) strongly believes in the value of fresh new ideas from soon‑to‑graduate and new‑grad engineering students! We also enjoy giving back, and so as a win‑win for both PI2 and summer interns, we are proud to again offer one or two opportunities for the right candidates to work with us this summer! We have had 4 new program starts in the last year, with work that will continue over the next couple of years and beyond.

Perceptive Innovations is developing two different Digital Night Vision Augmented Reality (AR) Systems (e.g., Digital Night Vision Goggles, DNVG) for the United States Air Force. These systems will process live video streams from multiple integrated cameras, and augment this information with synthetic graphical objects of interest placed in the spatial context of the viewed real world, all fused into a near‑eye display. The system integrates into a helmet, and the AR rendering must stay aligned to the real world with the user's head and body movements. To accomplish this, onboard GNSS and 10‑axis orientation sensors provide up to 200Hz updates to track these movements. The system will be completely self‑contained, including battery power, low power embedded CPU, GPU, DSP, ISP, and FPGA systems‑on‑chip (SoC) with embedded real‑time Linux. We are developing custom optics, integrating sensors, building circuit boards, flex cables, and mechanical housings for the system along with all the software and firmware development, in development projects beginning now over 2 years.

We are also developing small size/weight/power (SWaP) and cost portable processors for the Navy, to form images from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) radio signals, processing the collected data.

There are many areas in which we need help, and for one or more students with the right qualifications and background there are self‑contained projects we can define from this effort that would make excellent summer internships, great fun, and valuable experience on a resume.

Potential Summer Project Focus Areas

• Embedded Software for FPGA or CPU SoC processing systems
• Embedded Firmware for FPGA processing systems
• Embedded Linux and CUDA on NVIDIA Jetson GPU SoC processing systems
• Real time Software development with Linux and "Bare Metal" on Arm multicore processors
• Working with Multi‑GNSS and Inertial Sensors to measure for Head Tracking
• Working with Evaluation Kits for the latest Xilinx and Altera FPGA devices
• Working with Evaluation Kits for the latest Qualcomm and NXP CPU SoC devices
• Interfacing a Thermal Camera, and developing real‑time Image Processing Software
• Experimenting with AI Processors on GPU and CPU SoC Processors

Qualifications

Currently pursuing B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineer, Computer Engineering or Computer Science, and have completed Junior year

Working knowledge of Linux operating systems

You know what a real‑time embedded system is :)

Strong interest in hardware, embedded systems, embedded Linux and microcontroller programming

Strong debugging and problem‑solving skills

Ability to work independently, and meet deadlines

Appropriate coursework and strong GPA

The Following Skillsets Are Desired

• Experience with Digital Signal Processing (DSP), including video and RF signal processing
• Experience with PicoBlaze, MicroBlaze and ARM embedded processors
• Working knowledge of lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal sources, power supplies
• Xilinx FPGAs and Vivado Tool Suite
• Altera FPGAs and Quartus Tool Suite
• NVIDIA JetPack and CUDA Toolkit
• Use of collaboration tools for codebase control in team environment
• MATLAB/Simulink modeling of signal processing systems, at a minimum able to understand a high level model and convert to an implementation
• At least a working knowledge of FPGA HDL languages (VHDL, Verilog) and understanding of PS/PL interactions and integration
• Experience with embedded systems
• Experience with script languages (Tcl, Python, Perl, Ruby, etc.)

Perceptive Innovations is an equal opportunity employer.

Successful applicant must be a U.S. Citizen with the future ability to obtain a DoD Security Clearance