Systems Engineering and Integration Intern

Odys Aviation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A cutting-edge aerospace company in California is seeking a Systems Engineering and Integration Intern to tackle complex engineering challenges. This role involves defining and integrating aircraft systems, managing requirements, and performing hands-on testing. Ideal candidates will be enrolled in or recent graduates of engineering programs, have a strong attention to detail, and a passion for innovative solutions. The position emphasizes both collaborative efforts and individual responsibility, set within a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in or recently completed relevant degree program.
• Coursework in systems engineering is highly desired.
• Experience in organized student project teams is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define aircraft use-cases and missions.
• Assist with managing system requirements.
• Support integration and testing of systems.

Skills

Systems thinking

Hands-on integration and testing

Attention to detail

Curiosity

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, EE/ME, Computer Science

Tools

Engineering tools

Python

C/C++

Job description

About Odys

Our mission at Odys is simple - we build safe, sustainable aircraft to cut travel time in half on the world's busiest corridors. Our flagship aircraft Alta enables travelers to skip the big-airport hassle by using city helipads and local airports to connect cities less than 1,000 miles apart (approx 40% of flights). And on average cut CO2 by 76% on tens of billions of flight miles globally.

To get there, we start with our UAV called Laila for commercial logistics, medical transport, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense missions. We’re deploying aircraft with launch partners Fiji Airways, Honeywell, Aramex, US Navy beginning in 2026 and already have firm orders for aircraft under contract.

We’re a team of expert engineers from deep tech and aerospace that focus on fast iterations loops completed transition flight faster than our peers combined with mastery of the aircraft certification process. Previously, our team developed custom drones, brought multiple automotive platforms into production, and electrified transportation vehicles that magnetically levitate, that roll, that fly. Together, we’ve been learning, developing, building, testing, and preparing for this challenge our entire lives.

About the Role

Are you motivated by solving complex engineering challenges and contributing to the development of an advanced aircraft system? If you are energized by both big-picture thinking and hands-on execution, this role offers the opportunity to support the definition, architecture, integration, and test of a novel aircraft.

As a Systems Engineering and Integration Intern, you will work across disciplines to support system development activities, including requirements definition, hardware and software integration, and verification. You will engage directly with engineering teams to help translate concepts into functional systems and see your contributions validated through tests.

This role is well suited for individuals who are curious, detail-oriented, and eager to gain experience in a fast-paced engineering environment.

What You’ll Do

• Participate in defining aircraft use-cases, capabilities, missions and functions
• Assist with organizing, managing, and maintaining aircraft, system, and mission requirements
• Use engineering tools to capture and define the system architecture, system boundaries, and interfaces
• Assist in defining, documenting, and implementing engineering processes for software change management, testing, and version control
• Participate in aircraft software verification & validation activities
• Support the integration and testing of a ground control station and software
• Perform hands-on integration and testing of mission equipment (computers, radios, datalinks, cameras, and sensors)
• Conduct lab & field tests, data collection and analysis

What We Are Looking For

• Currently enrolled in or recently completed a bachelor’s or advanced degree program in Aerospace Engineering, EE/ME, Computer Science, or related field
• Coursework in systems engineering is highly desired with basic understanding of engineering development processes
• Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer Science as a core discipline
• Interested in systems thinking and able to visualize, articulate, and understand the a system in its entirety, not just individual components
• Enjoys being hands‑on— integrating and testing real hardware & software
• Able to work independently, take ownership of tasks, and ask good questions when needed
• Strong curiosity, attention to detail, and desire to make a meaningful impact

Nice To Have

• Participation in organized student project teams (DBF, Formula SAE, Robotics/Mechatronics, AI/Autonomy)
• Experience with the mechanical, electrical, and/or software integration of components
• Coding skills (Python, C/C++)
• Interest in system architecture, requirements, system safety, and engineering processes