Electrical Engineering Intern

AeroVironment, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking an Electrical Engineering Intern on the Counter-UAS team in San Diego to contribute to RF and hardware design, development, and testing in a fast-paced defense environment.

You will work with RF front‑end design, PCB design, firmware, and production engineering, supporting hardware bring-up, test equipment, test software, and documentation from prototype to production.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Coursework or project experience in RF/microwave circuits, antennas, or electromagnetics.

Responsibilities

• Assist in design, bring-up, and debugging of RF and mixed-signal PCBAs including LNAs, filters, power amplifiers, and switches.
• Perform RF measurements and characterization using spectrum analyzers, signal generators, VNAs, and power meters.
• Help develop and maintain automated test software (Python, C/C++, or C#) for hardware validation and production test.
• Support firmware integration and testing on embedded processors and SDR/FPGA‑based hardware.
• Collaborate with systems, software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Embedded systems

RF/microwave

Altium

Education

Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

Job description

Electrical Engineering Intern – RF & Hardware (Counter-UAS) Summary

As an Electrical Engineering Intern on our Counter-UAS team, you’ll contribute to the design, development, and testing of RF and electronic hardware for systems that detect, track, and defeat unmanned aircraft. You’ll work alongside engineers across RF front‑end design, PCB design, firmware, and production engineering. You’ll support hardware bring-up, build and improve test equipment, write test software, and troubleshoot real hardware, gaining experience across the full lifecycle from prototype to production. This is an opportunity to apply your academic training to a fielded defense product in a fast‑paced environment, with close mentorship from experienced RF and hardware engineers. This position will work onsite in our San Diego office.

Position Responsibilities

• Assist in the design, bring-up, and debugging of RF and mixed‑signal PCBAs, including RF front‑end circuits such as LNAs, filters, power amplifiers, and switches
• Perform RF measurements and characterization using spectrum analyzers, signal generators, vector network analyzers, and power meters
• Help develop and maintain automated test software (Python, C/C++, or C#) for hardware validation and production test
• Support the design, build, and calibration of test fixtures and stations used in development and production
• Assist with schematic capture, layout reviews, and design documentation in Altium
• Support firmware integration and testing on embedded processors and SDR/FPGA‑based hardware
• Participate in test plan creation, requirements verification, and environmental and performance testing
• Assist production engineering with failure analysis, yield improvement, and resolving manufacturing issues
• Learn and apply engineering best practices, configuration management, and documentation standards
• Collaborate with systems, software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support ongoing engineering efforts

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• Coursework or project experience in one or more of the following: RF/microwave circuits, antennas, or electromagnetics
• Analog and digital circuit design
• Embedded systems, FPGA, or software‑defined radio
• PCB design and assembly
• Familiarity with communication interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, USB, or Ethernet
• Basic programming experience in Python, C, C++, or C#
• Hands‑on exposure to lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and power supplies
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
• Effective communication skills and ability to work well in a team

Preferred Qualifications & Competencies

• Experience with RF test equipment (spectrum analyzer, VNA, signal generator)
• Familiarity with RF concepts such as S-parameters, impedance matching, noise figure, gain, and link budgets
• PCB design experience in Altium or a similar ECAD tool
• Experience with SDR platforms (e.g., USRP, HackRF, PlutoSDR) or GNU Radio/MATLAB signal processing
• Soldering, rework, and prototyping skills
• Experience with Git, test automation, or instrument control (e.g., PyVISA, SCPI)
• Interest in RF systems, electronic warfare, aerospace, or defense
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, and willingness to learn
• Ability to manage time effectively and adapt in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment

Physical Demands

Ability to work in office, lab, and light manufacturing/test environments (Constant). Required to sit, stand, and use computer and lab equipment for extended periods (Frequent). May be required to lift and carry up to 10 lbs. (Occasional). May support outdoor field testing (Occasional).

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

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 22CFR§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.

About AV

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission‑obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI‑powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you’re ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

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.