Flight Software Internship - Spring 2027

Shine BrightX LLC; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Commuter benefit

Paid holidays

Medical, Dental & Vision

Wellness reimbursement

One Medical membership

Cell phone reimbursement

Relocation support

Lyft commute credit

Lunch provided

Company events

EV charging

Job summary

Shine BrightX LLC in Los Angeles, CA invites interns to work on software powering mission-critical ground, flight, and embedded systems. You will build tools in Python and C++ with a focus on correctness, determinism, and observability, contributing to simulation and testing infrastructure.

The role requires strong C++ skills, experience with embedded systems, and solid CS fundamentals. You will collaborate across flight software, embedded, operations, and test teams, gaining hands-on experience

Qualifications

• Proficiency in C++.
• Experience with embedded systems or microcontrollers beyond Arduino.
• Understanding of core computer science fundamentals including data structures, algorithms, and operating systems.
• Ability to debug complex software issues and comfort working in Linux environments.
• Familiarity with systems fundamentals such as concurrency, networking, performance, and reliability.
• Exposure to real-time embedded development or safety-critical software, with working knowledge of math and physics.
• Participation in projects like robotics, rocketry, capstone projects, personal builds, lab work, or open-source contributions demonstrating interest in systems beneath abstraction layers.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to software powering missions across ground systems, flight and embedded software, testing and simulation, and developer platform and infrastructure.
• Build Python and/or C++ tools, services, and libraries interfacing with flight and ground systems, focusing on correctness, determinism, and observability.
• Develop automation for simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and scenario-based testing.
• Debug complex issues involving OS behavior, networking, timing, and hardware-software interactions.
• Collaborate with flight software, embedded systems, mission operations, and test teams; communicate clearly and seek support when needed.
• Work full-time on-site in Los Angeles, CA during the internship period (January to May, dates depend on university schedule).

Skills

C++

Embedded systems

CS fundamentals

Linux debugging

Concurrency

RTOS basics

Education

Computer Architecture

Operating Systems

Data Structures & Algorithms

Software Engineering

Job description

Your Role

Here's what you will be doing:

• Contribute to software powering Varda's missions across ground systems, flight and embedded software, testing and simulation, and developer platform and infrastructure.
• Build Python and/or C++ tools, services, and libraries interfacing with flight and ground systems, focusing on correctness, determinism, and observability.
• Develop automation for simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and scenario-based testing.
• Debug complex issues involving OS behavior, networking, timing, and hardware-software interactions.
• Collaborate with flight software, embedded systems, mission operations, and test teams; communicate clearly and seek support when needed.
• Work full-time on-site in Los Angeles, CA during the internship period (January to May, dates depend on university schedule).

About You

The company is looking for candidates with:

• Proficiency in C++.
• Experience with embedded systems or microcontrollers beyond Arduino.
• Understanding of core computer science fundamentals including data structures, algorithms, and operating systems.
• Ability to debug complex software issues and comfort working in Linux environments.
• Familiarity with systems fundamentals such as concurrency, networking, performance, and reliability.
• Exposure to real-time embedded development or safety-critical software, with working knowledge of math and physics.
• Participation in projects like robotics, rocketry, capstone projects, personal builds, lab work, or open-source contributions demonstrating interest in systems beneath abstraction layers.

Relevant coursework includes Computer Architecture, Operating Systems, Software Engineering, Data Structures & Algorithms, with bonus points for Signals and Systems, Digital Design, Assembly, Embedded Systems, and Electronics.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly rate of $37.00.
• Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area.
• Commuter benefit to support local transportation.
• Paid observed holidays.
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.
• Up to $4,000 gross-up in relocation support, if eligible.
• Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible.
• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner twice weekly.
• Company and team-bonding events, happy hours, and mission-success celebrations.
• Complimentary EV charging.