SATCOM Intern - Airborne SATCOM & Connectivity

MITRE; Fairborn (OH); On-site; USD 47,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE is seeking a student engineer for an on-site internship in Dayton, Ohio, supporting advanced wireless and SATCOM activities within the Advanced Wireless & SATCOM Department. You will assist with integration, testing, and data collection on MAF-related projects.

You will use Python or C/C++ to organize test data, run basic analyses, and help document configurations and results while collaborating with Dayton and Bedford teams.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Completed coursework in engineering math, physics, computing, circuits, or related discipline.
• Basic ability to read/write code in C/C++ or Python.
• Foundational experience applying an engineering design, test, or troubleshooting process.
• Ability to work onsite in Dayton, OH and travel to Bedford, MA.

Responsibilities

• Support supervised engineering analysis of connectivity for Mobility Air Forces (MAF) aircraft and related HST program efforts, including KC-46 and KC-135 activities as applicable.
• Assist with communications system and SATCOM terminal integration, test setup, procedures, measurements, and evaluation of link or network performance.
• Use introductory Python or C/C++ scripting to organize test data, perform basic calculations, plot results, and improve repeatable laboratory workflows. Collaborate with Dayton engineers and the Bedford SATCOM team during approved hands-on lab visits.
• Document test configurations, observations, technical issues, and results; contribute to short team briefings and engineering summaries.

Skills

Python scripting

C/C++ programming

Electrical engineering

Engineering math

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Git

MATLAB

Oscilloscope

Multimeter

Spectrum analyzer

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

MITRE's Advanced Wireless & SATCOM Department applies communications and network engineering to mission‑critical satellite, wireless, and airborne connectivity challenges. The department supports technical analysis, systems integration, modeling, laboratory testing, and experimentation to improve the performance and resiliency of sponsor communications capabilities.

Job Responsibilities

• Support supervised engineering analysis of connectivity for Mobility Air Forces (MAF) aircraft and related HST program efforts, including KC-46 and KC-135 activities as applicable.
• Assist with communications system and SATCOM terminal integration, test setup, procedures, measurements, and evaluation of link or network performance.
• Use introductory Python or C/C++ scripting to organize test data, perform basic calculations, plot results, and improve repeatable laboratory workflows. Collaborate with Dayton engineers and the Bedford SATCOM team during approved hands‑on lab visits.
• Document test configurations, observations, technical issues, and results; contribute to short team briefings and engineering summaries.

Basic Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related engineering field.
• Completed introductory coursework or projects involving engineering mathematics, physics, computing, circuits, or a related discipline.
• Basic ability to read and write code in at least one language, such as C/C++ or Python, through coursework or projects.
• Foundational experience applying an engineering design, test, or troubleshooting process to a class, research, or personal project.
• Ability to work primarily onsite in Dayton, Ohio, and participate in occasional authorized work travel to Bedford, Massachusetts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in RF, wireless or satellite communications, airborne connectivity, networking, or communications systems testing.
• Hands‑on exposure to embedded systems, microcontrollers, sensors, or hardware‑software integration.
• Exposure to engineering laboratory measurement, data analysis, verification, or test equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, or spectrum analyzers. Familiarity with Python, C/C++, MATLAB, Git, or other tools for engineering analysis and test automation.
• Ability to communicate findings clearly, collaborate with engineers across sites, and learn unfamiliar technical concepts.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

None

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$46,500 - $58,000 - $69,500 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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