Systems Engineering Intern

AeroVironment, Inc.; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Systems Engineering Intern to support design, development, and integration of advanced unmanned aircraft systems. You will gain hands‑on experience in requirements development, system architecture, technical documentation, and project planning while contributing to real programs.

Work with Electrical, Mechanical, Software, and Test teams in a collaborative environment. Office-based with occasional lab/test environments; motivated students in a space with defense

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a STEM field (Systems, Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline)
• Strong interest in systems engineering, aerospace, or defense technology
• Exposure to technical documentation or systems modeling through coursework or projects
• Familiarity with engineering principles including requirements development, design, and integration
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Comfortable working in cross‑functional teams

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze customer requirements to understand system impacts
• Develop and document system-level requirements, ICDs, and specifications
• Support trade studies, cost/schedule estimation, and technical planning efforts
• Participate in design reviews and create materials for presentations
• Collaborate with Electrical, Mechanical, Software, and Test engineers for integration
• Document and track system-level issues, risks, and changes
• Contribute to test planning and verification/validation
• Gain experience with MBSE tools and best practices
• Perform engineering support tasks under mentorship
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Systems engineering interest

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Documentation skills

MBSE exposure

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in STEM

Tools

DOORS

Cameo

MBSE frameworks

Job description

Worker Type Supplemental Job Description

Our Summer Internship Program is meticulously designed to provide students with an immersive and dynamic experience within our industry, offering a taste of what it's like to be part of our professional team. We strive to simulate a full-time job, enabling our interns to work hands‑on with cutting‑edge technology, contribute to meaningful projects, build strong relationships with coworkers, and develop strategic problem‑solving skills. Our program is highly selective, hosting only a handful of interns each year, ensuring personalized attention and ample opportunities to work closely with AV team members. We are hiring for various roles and locations throughout the U.S. During the interview process, we will discuss specific details regarding the team and location.

Summary

As a Systems Engineering Intern, you will work alongside experienced systems engineers to support the design, development, and integration of advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their subsystems. This role provides hands‑on exposure to requirements development, system architecture, technical documentation, and project planning — while offering real contributions to projects that matter.

What You’ll Do

• Assist in reviewing and analyzing customer requirements to understand system impacts
• Help develop and document system-level requirements, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and specifications
• Support trade studies, cost/schedule estimation, and technical planning efforts
• Participate in design reviews and assist with creating materials for presentations
• Collaborate with engineers from Electrical, Mechanical, Software, and Test disciplines to ensure effective integration
• Aid in documenting and tracking system-level issues, risks, and changes
• Contribute to test planning and verification/validation efforts
• Gain experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and best practices
• Perform various engineering support tasks under the mentorship of experienced engineers
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a STEM field (Systems, Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline)
• Strong interest in systems engineering, aerospace, or defense technology
• Exposure to technical documentation or systems modeling through coursework or projects
• Familiarity with engineering principles including requirements development, design, and integration
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Comfortable working in cross‑functional teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with UAVs, aerospace systems, or robotics
• Exposure to systems engineering tools like DOORS, Cameo, or MBSE frameworks
• Experience with technical drawings, schematics, or block diagrams
• Coursework or experience in project planning, risk management, or design reviews
• Interest in defense technologies such as avionics, communications, GPS, or propulsion systems

You Might Be a Good Fit If You...

• Are naturally curious and ask thoughtful questions
• Enjoy solving complex problems and organizing technical information
• Communicate clearly and professionally with technical and non‑technical audiences
• Like working in collaborative, multidisciplinary teams
• Are proactive, self‑motivated, and open to feedback

Additional Details

Location: Office and occasional lab/test environments

Physical Requirements

• Able to sit or stand for long periods
• Comfortable using standard office equipment and computers
• Able to occasionally walk the facility floor or assist with light equipment

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

About AV

About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission‑obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI‑powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants.

Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR U.S. Citizenship required

About AV

About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission‑obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI‑powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

Careers at AeroVironment