Discipline guide

Embedded systems & firmware internships

Embedded engineers write the software that runs directly on microcontrollers and system-on-chips inside a product: device drivers, real-time tasks, bootloaders and control loops. Unlike app development, you work within fixed budgets of memory, timing and power, and a bug can mean a board that does not boot.

33 open roles right now: none say freshmen or sophomores can apply, 27 don't list a class year. Filter this discipline in the full list.

What interns do

  • Bring up peripherals on a new board revision (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, ADC) and write or fix their drivers.
  • Add features to an RTOS-based application and measure timing, stack use and power draw.
  • Debug with a logic analyzer, oscilloscope and JTAG/SWD debugger rather than print statements alone.
  • Write Python tools that flash devices, run hardware-in-the-loop tests and parse logs.

Skills to show

  • C (pointers, bit manipulation, volatile, interrupts); some C++ helps.
  • Reading a datasheet and reference manual to configure a peripheral register by register.
  • One microcontroller family end to end, such as STM32, nRF52, ESP32 or RP2040.
  • An RTOS (FreeRTOS or Zephyr) or a clear bare-metal scheduler you wrote yourself.
  • Lab debugging with a scope or logic analyzer, plus Git and basic Python.

Starter projects

  1. Write an I2C driver for a temperature or IMU sensor straight from its datasheet (no vendor library), stream readings over UART, and include a logic-analyzer capture of one transaction in your write-up.
  2. Build a three-task FreeRTOS or Zephyr app (sensor read, filtering, serial or BLE output). Document task priorities, stack sizes and what happens when a task overruns.
  3. Make a battery-powered sensor node that sleeps between readings. Measure current in each state with a multimeter or power profiler and show how your firmware changes cut average power.

Open Embedded/firmware roles

Newest first. Labels are automatic; read each posting on the employer's site.

  1. Astranis · San Francisco

    Juniors+ Embedded/firmware Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Hold a four-year degree in Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or a related technical field, or be currently enrolled in a M.S program in a similar… U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  2. Astranis · San Francisco

    Juniors+ Embedded/firmware Winter 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Hold a four-year degree in Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or a related technical field, or be currently enrolled in a M.S program in a similar… U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  3. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  4. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Winter 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  5. HawkEye 360 · Herndon, VA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware RF/wireless PCB/hardware Summer 2027

  6. Waymo · Mountain View, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Test/validation Summer 2027

  7. Skydio · San Mateo, CA · Remote

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware PCB/hardware Test/validation Winter 2027

  8. Skydio · San Mateo, CA · Remote

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Fall 2026 Winter 2027

  9. CesiumAstro · Westminster, CO; Austin, TX · 1 more posting merged

    Class year not stated Co-op Embedded/firmware Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the…

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  10. Anduril Industries · Costa Mesa, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export Clearance

    Why these labels?
    Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities;

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  11. Anduril Industries · Costa Mesa, CA; Quincy, MA

    Class year not stated Co-op Embedded/firmware PCB/hardware Winter 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export Clearance

    Why these labels?
    Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities;

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  12. Gecko Robotics · Pittsburgh

    Juniors+ Embedded/firmware Controls/robotics Summer 2027

    Why these labels?
    Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related engineering discipline, with an expected graduation date between December 2027 and May 2028.

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  13. Rocket Lab · Toronto, CAN; Pasadena, CA +1 more · 2 more postings merged

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Test/validation FPGA/RTL/ASIC PCB/hardware Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or…

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  14. Rocket Lab · Littleton, CO

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Spring 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or…

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  15. Rocket Lab · Littleton, CO

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or…

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  16. Shield AI · Melbourne

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Test/validation

  17. Hermeus · Atlanta, GA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Controls/robotics Spring 2027 Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export $25–33/hr

    Why these labels?
    U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  18. Samsara · San Francisco - SF9

    Juniors+ Co-op Embedded/firmware PCB/hardware Test/validation

    Why these labels?
    Your target graduation timeline is May-June 2026.

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  19. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware PCB/hardware Test/validation Summer 2027

  20. Kodiak Robotics · Mountain View, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware PCB/hardware Controls/robotics Winter 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Accordingly, roles that carry more sensitive requirements may be limited to candidates that can satisfy additional scrutiny and eligibility for such positions may hinge on verification of a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status.

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  21. Verkada · San Mateo, CA United States

    Juniors+ Co-op Embedded/firmware Winter 2027 Summer 2027

    Why these labels?
    Actively pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or similar technical field of study and graduating by June 2027

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  22. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware PCB/hardware Test/validation Spring 2027

  23. Formlabs · Somerville, MA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware PCB/hardware Winter 2027 Spring 2027

  24. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Juniors+ Embedded/firmware Test/validation Summer 2027

    Why these labels?
    Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field, ideally in your junior or senior year.

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  25. Varda Space Industries · El Segundo, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Spring 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    ITAR Requirements

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  26. Anduril Industries · Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA +7 more

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware PCB/hardware Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export Clearance

    Why these labels?
    Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities;

    Excerpt from the posting (at most 300 characters). Always read the full posting on the employer's site.

  27. Figure · San Jose, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Analog/mixed-signal PCB/hardware Fall 2026

  28. Neuralink · Austin, TX; South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware PCB/hardware Test/validation

  29. Zoox · Foster City, CA; San Diego, CA +1 more · Hybrid

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware

  30. Etched · San Jose

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Summer 2026 Fall 2026 Spring 2027

  31. Neuralink · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Controls/robotics

  32. Neuralink · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware PCB/hardware Controls/robotics

  33. Neuralink · Austin, TX; South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware

Other disciplines

FPGA, RTL & ASIC design and verification · Analog & mixed-signal · RF, microwave & wireless · Power electronics · PCB & hardware design · Test, validation & reliability · Controls, robotics & GNC · Photonics & optics