Motion Planning Software Engineering Intern, Summer 2027

wing; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 135,000; Part time

Job summary

Wing offers a 12-week paid summer internship in Palo Alto, CA, joining the Pathfinder team as a Motion Planning Software Engineering Intern. You will work on path planning for autonomous delivery drones and collaborate with GNC, perception, and flight software teams.

The program is hybrid, in-person, with May/June start dates. Candidates should be current students returning after the internship, pursuing CS/engineering degrees, and graduating in 2027–2028.

Qualifications

• Current student pursuing a degree with expected graduation between Dec 2027 and Aug 2028.
• Strong engineering experience from internships, labs, robotics projects, or competitions.
• Experience applying algorithms to path planning, navigation, or spatial search problems.
• Programming experience in C++ or Python; solid CS fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Create path planning and trajectory generation solutions for autonomous delivery drones.
• Build simulation, analysis, and testing tools to validate algorithms against flight logs.
• Occasion to run software on real aircraft during flight testing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including GNC and perception.
• Develop safety-critical robotics software deployed at scale.

Skills

C++

Python

Path planning

Algorithms

Data structures

Robotics

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering/related field

Job description

About Wing:

Wing offers drone delivery as a safe, fast, and sustainable solution for last mile logistics. Consumer appetites for on-demand services are increasing, but current delivery methods are inefficient, costly, and contribute to road accidents and air pollution. Wing's fleet of highly automated delivery drones can transport small packages directly from businesses to homes on-demand, in minutes. We design, build, and operate our aircraft, and offer drone delivery services on two continents. Our technology is designed to be easy to integrate into existing delivery and logistics networks, offering a scalable drone delivery solution for a broad range of businesses. Wing is a part of Google's parent company, Alphabet, and our mission is to create the preferred means of delivery for the planet. If you're ready to do the greatest work of your life, come join us.

About the Program:

Join Wing's 12-week paid summer internship! This is a hybrid, in-person program based in Palo Alto, CA, with start dates in May or June. Eligible candidates must be a current student enrolled in a degree program and intend to return to the program after the completion of the summer internship.

About the Role:

Wing is looking for a Motion Planning Software Engineering Intern to join our Pathfinder team based in Palo Alto, CA .

We are looking for Engineers with Software Engineering and Path Planning experience to contribute to the development and continuous improvement of a system that safely flies thousands of autonomous aircraft every day around the world. Developing and fielding this kind of large-scale production path planning system is a challenge that you find both humbling and exciting. You enjoy developing systems from concept through production, and you have an eye for crafting practical solutions that run reliably on real-world systems. You will work in a multidisciplinary environment with direct access to our guidance, navigation, and control engineers and backend engineers.

In this role you will:

• Create innovative aircraft path planning and trajectory generation solutions that enable new flight capabilities for our fleet of autonomous delivery drones.
• Build the simulation, analysis, and testing tools required to validate your algorithms against flight logs from Wing's commercial fleet.
• Have the opportunity to see your software fly on physical aircraft during flight testing, taking algorithms from simulation to real flight dynamics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams, including Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC), perception, and flight software.
• Gain hands‑on experience developing safety-critical robotics software deployed on a commercial autonomous drone delivery fleet operating at scale.

What You'll Need:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, graduating between December 2027 and August 2028
• Strong examples of previous engineering experience through prior internships, university lab research, robotics competition teams, or technical projects.
• Academic or project experience applying algorithms to path planning, navigation, or spatial search problems.
• Programming experience in C++ or Python.
• Solid foundation in data structures, algorithms, and software engineering principles.
• Passion for aviation, drones, or related technologies.

Salary Range

The US base salary range for this internship position is the salary range below + benefits. Wing's salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

$128,000 - $135,000 USD

Wing is an equal opportunity employer and it is Wing's policy to comply with all applicable national, state and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. Employment at Wing is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. Wing does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law.

If you have a need that requires accommodation during the interview process due to a disability or special need, please let us know by completing our Candidate Accommodations Request Form .