2025 Internship - Engineer/Scientist - Miniature Device Technologies

Do you want to apply your College experiences to solve hard problems with real-world applications?

Are you passionate about working with collaborative and dedicated teams to move ideas to prototypes and solving technical challenges with real impact?

If so, we are looking for someone like you to join the Miniature Device Technologies group at APL!

The Miniature Device Technologies Group develops highly customized tools and techniques required to carry out missions around the globe. We are seeking interns to help us demonstrate new and creative concepts, continuously improving on the state of the art. Whether it be a quick reaction need from the field or the long-term development of a novel capability, you will join a creative, forward-thinking, multi-disciplinary team to work hand in hand with our government sponsors to conceive and realize solutions to their most challenging problems. We leverage multiple engineering fields in digital/analog/RF integrated circuit design, printed circuit board (PCB) design, embedded software, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), signal processing, algorithm development/implementation, automated test and evaluation, and more to create ultra-small, low-power solutions that exceed comparable commercial alternatives

As a member of our team...

1. Assist in the development of portable communication devices and miniature wireless systems through contributions to embedded software applications, FPGA-based algorithm development, graphical user interfaces, or board-level integration (60%)
2. Support evaluation of prototype devices & systems through laboratory testing. Develop & document formal & informal subsystem requirements and specifications from written high-level specifications and simulations. Develop test plans & write test cases to verify subsystem functionality. Testing may also include troubleshooting & debugging (20%)
3. Participate in field evaluation of applications. Rapidly modify relevant subsystem according to test results and in response to emergent technical and operational requirements (10%)
4. Document work in formal technical reports and informal memoranda. Present work to sponsors and the technical community (10%)

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Are pursuing Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Math, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a similar major
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Possess strong oral and written communication skills
• Possess good organizational skills
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work independently, and demonstrated ability to work as part of a multi-organizational team
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Coding C/C++ in an embedded environment
• RF/analog/high-speed circuit design
• GUI development
• Automated testing of electronic devices

• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You will go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Are willing to work on quick-reaction projects in support of the sponsor's operational requirements
• Possess familiarity in designing and developing real time embedded software programs to run in 8051, PIC, ARM, or similar micro-controller architectures
• Have the ability to code embedded device drivers using electronic schematics and vendor datasheets
• Possess familiarity with any of the following protocols: RS-232C, I2C, SPI, CAN, 802.11 family, Bluetooth, etc...
• Have basic GUI and command line skills for working in Unix/Linux and Windows environments
• Have experience with any Real Time Operation System (RTOS) in an embedded environment a plus
• Are proficient in any assembly language as well as high level programming languages such as Java, .NET C#, and scripting languages a plus
• Are familiar with a hardware description language (Verilog, VHDL)
• Are experienced with FPGA-based implementation of signal processing algorithms, especially in resource-constrained embedded systems
• Are familiar with software-defined radio architectures and commercial transceiver chip interfaces
• Are familiar with GNURadio or other SDR toolkits a plus
• Have experience with Ettus SDR platform or other SDR platforms
• Are familiar with basic RF communications, control, and digital signal processing concepts
• Are competent in using standard lab tools such as oscilloscopes, multi-meters, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, protocol analyzer, frequency counters, etc...
• Have experience with any circuit or electromagnetic design software such as SPICE, ADS, Microwave Office, and HFSS
• Have experience with printed circuit board schematic & layout tools such as Altium, Eagle, or Mentor

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu. Only by ensuring that everyone's voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.