Embedded Systems & Controls Engineering Intern

OrthoIQ, Inc; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

OrthoIQ, Inc. in Cambridge, MA is seeking an Embedded Systems & Firmware Engineering Intern to help develop the embedded electronics and control systems behind our orthopedic tools.

You will participate in architecture, circuitry, prototyping, integration, and testing, taking on meaningful technical ownership while collaborating with a team of engineers and surgeons. This internship provides exposure to real-time firmware development in C/C++, sensor interfaces, power electronics, and reliable

Qualifications

• Pursuing or recently completed BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
• Experience with microcontrollers and embedded systems.
• Experience with embedded C/C++.
• Familiarity with circuit design and PCB development.
• Experience with sensors, ADCs, motors, or control systems preferred.
• Hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, soldering, and hardware debugging.
• Comfortable independently solving technical problems in an early-stage startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Embedded electronics architecture and PCB design.
• MCU/processor evaluation and selection based on system requirements.
• Embedded C/C++ and real-time firmware development.
• Sensor interfaces, ADCs, signal conditioning, communications, and power electronics.
• Port validated signal-processing and detection algorithms onto embedded hardware.
• Develop real-time control and safety-critical system architectures.
• Motor/actuator control and hardware-software integration.
• Prototype, debug, test, and characterize embedded systems.
• Support design for reliability, EMC, power, thermal constraints, and medical-device development.

Skills

Embedded systems

Microcontrollers

Embedded C/C++

PCB design

Sensors

Hardware debugging

Soldering

Independent problem solving

Education

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering / Robotics

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Soldering

Hardware debugging

Job description

Embedded Systems & Firmware Engineering Intern

Location: Cambridge, MA
Duration: Spring or Summer 2027 (10+ weeks)

About OrthoIQ

OrthoIQ is an MIT-founded medical technology startup developing intelligent surgical tools for orthopedic procedures. Our systems provide real-time sensing and feedback to surgeons, helping improve implant fixation, reduce complications, and improve surgical outcomes.

We are building a new class of smart orthopedic instrumentation, combining mechanical systems, sensing, and data to bring intelligence into the operating room.

Role Overview

We are seeking an Embedded Systems & Firmware Engineering Intern to help develop the embedded electronics and control systems behind our next-generation orthopedic surgical tools.

This is a highly hands-on role where you will contribute to embedded hardware and firmware development, from system architecture and circuit design through prototyping, integration, and testing. Interns should expect significant technical ownership while collaborating closely with our engineering team on architecture and design reviews.

Responsibilities

• Embedded electronics architecture and PCB design
• MCU/processor evaluation and selection based on system requirements
• Embedded C/C++ and real-time firmware development
• Sensor interfaces, ADCs, signal conditioning, communications, and power electronics
• Port validated signal-processing and detection algorithms onto embedded hardware
• Develop real-time control and safety-critical system architectures
• Motor/actuator control and hardware-software integration
• Prototype, debug, test, and characterize embedded systems
• Support design for reliability, EMC, power, thermal constraints, and medical-device development

Desired Qualifications

• Pursuing or recently completed a BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or a related field
• Experience with microcontrollers and embedded systems
• Experience with embedded C/C++
• Familiarity with circuit design and PCB development
• Experience with sensors, ADCs, motors, or control systems preferred
• Hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, soldering, and hardware debugging
• Comfortable independently solving technical problems in an early-stage startup environment

What You'll Gain

• Significant ownership of hardware that may progress toward clinical testing
• Experience taking an embedded system from prototype through integrated medical-device development
• Exposure to regulated and safety-critical product development
• Experience working across electrical, mechanical, software, and clinical disciplines
• Close collaboration with experienced engineers and orthopedic surgeons

00:00

00:40

What you’ll work on

Build the next generation of surgical hammers

Our main product is an orthopedic automatic hammer with an integrated sensor that tells the surgeon when to stop hammering. Right now they judge when to stop hammering based on feel, but overhammering can cause bone fractures and underhammering causes the implant to loosen over time.

Interns will help solve real engineering challenges in mechanism design, prototyping, component selection, thermal management, and reducing weight and recoil.

Help us integrate sensing/controls and prove reliability

We’re integrating sensors to measure what happens during each impact and exploring whether those signals can identify when an implant has reached stable fixation. Interns may build test rigs and data-acquisition systems, run experiments, and analyze mechanical and sensor data.

Surgical devices have to work reliably across different implants, bone conditions, loads, and repeated use. Our device must be manufacturable, sterilizable, reliable, serviceable, and intuitive to use in the operating room.

Interns will contribute to DFM/DFA, reliability and verification testing, design iteration, and the engineering decisions required to move from prototype to production.

00:00

00:46

Join a tight-knit intern cohort that’s passionate about improving patient care.