Pacific Defense Intern - Cedar Rapids

Pacific Defense; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Pacific Defense in Cedar Rapids, IA offers an internship focused on developing Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) equipment for CMOSS/SOSA-aligned systems. You will join engineering teams to perform research, testing, and analysis while learning how modern defense tech comes together in a mission-ready solution.

Ideal candidates are pursuing degrees in EE/CS/related fields with interest in GPS/GNSS, RF, sensors, or embedded systems.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in engineering or CS.
• Interest in GPS/GNSS, inertial navigation, RF systems or embedded systems.
• Basic programming in Python, MATLAB, or C/C++.
• Strong problem solving and willingness to learn.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a technical team environment.

Responsibilities

• Support engineering teams with research, testing, and analysis related to PNT technologies.
• Assist with data collection, simulation, and performance evaluation of navigation systems.
• Document test results, technical findings, and system behavior.
• Collaborate with engineers across software, hardware, systems, and integration teams.
• Support lab testing, troubleshooting, and prototype development as needed.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

Embedded systems

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Electrical Engineering

Computer Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Computer Science

Job description

Welcome students/ soon-to-be graduates/ graduates! Thank you for your interest in Pacific Defense! Please find additional information about the company below.

About Us

Pacific Defense is designed to support the DoD's disciplined movement to modular open standards and to mirror the way military services address EMS warfare - holistic mission planning and execution. The company's approach inherently enables what it refers to as a rapid prototyping paradigm - embedding a commercial mentality into the defense industry. Products are designed from the outset for modern, AI-driven autonomy and CMOSS and SOSA-aligned hardware and software solutions. This includes state-of-the-art processing that can readily follow the evolution of commercial technology with complete data sharing across networks and platforms. Headquartered in El Segundo, California, Pacific Defense takes an organic, commercial-minded approach to military-use electromagnetic spectrum technologies, and solutions. Focus areas include autonomous systems, command and control, communications, cyber operations, intelligence collection, and electronic warfare. Pacific Defense takes an innovative approach to developing military-use advanced solutions delivering EW, SIGINT, Comms and C2 capabilities to the DoD. This includes state-of-the-art processing that can readily follow the evolution of commercial technology with complete data sharing across networks and platforms.

This Internship position is in our Cedar Rapids office, focused on development of Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) equipment as it applies to our CMOSS and SOSA-aligned systems.

Responsibilities

• Support engineering teams with research, testing, and analysis related to PNT technologies
• Assist with data collection, simulation, and performance evaluation of navigation systems
• Help document test results, technical findings, and system behavior
• Collaborate with engineers across software, hardware, systems, and integration teams
• Support lab testing, troubleshooting, and prototype development as needed

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• Interest in GPS/GNSS, inertial navigation, RF systems, sensors, signal processing, or embedded systems
• Basic programming experience in Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to learn
• Ability to work collaboratively in a technical team environment

Nice to Have

• Coursework or project experience related to navigation, controls, robotics, aerospace systems, or defense technologies
• Experience with lab equipment, data analysis, simulations, or hardware/software integration

Internship Focus

• This role is ideal for a student who wants hands‑on exposure to advanced PNT systems and real-world engineering challenges in a mission-focused environment

Benefits

Pacific Defense provides competitive salaries and immediately vested 401K match. We offer paid time off and federal holidays to spend time with family, pursue outside interests, or just get some extra rest.

Pacific Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.