Discipline guide

Test, validation & reliability internships

Test and validation engineers prove that hardware works and keeps working: bench validation of new designs, automated production test, environmental and reliability testing, hardware-in-the-loop rigs, silicon validation and failure analysis. It is one of the most common entry points into hardware teams because every product needs it.

82 open roles right now: none say freshmen or sophomores can apply, 74 don't list a class year. Filter this discipline in the full list.

What interns do

  • Write automated tests in Python that control instruments over SCPI or PyVISA.
  • Build fixtures and harnesses for boards, modules or whole vehicles.
  • Run thermal, vibration, radiation or burn-in tests and analyze the data.
  • Investigate failures and write clear reports that designers can act on.

Skills to show

  • Python, including pandas and plotting, for test automation and analysis.
  • Comfort with power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes and electronic loads.
  • Wiring, crimping and soldering for fixtures and harnesses.
  • Basic statistics for yield and process capability.
  • Careful documentation and a curiosity about how things fail.

Starter projects

  1. Automate a bench measurement: control a power supply and multimeter from Python to sweep a regulator's load, then plot efficiency and regulation.
  2. Build a small hardware-in-the-loop rig in which one microcontroller emulates sensors for another board and checks its responses automatically.
  3. Run a small reliability study (for example, thermal cycling of inexpensive parts), log the data and write up what degraded and why.

Open Test/validation roles

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

  1. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Test/validation Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    US Citizenship or Green Card

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

  2. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Test/validation Winter 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    US Citizenship or Green Card

    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 Test/validation Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    US Citizenship or Green Card

    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 Test/validation Winter 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    US Citizenship or Green Card

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

  5. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Power electronics PCB/hardware Test/validation Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    US Citizenship or Green Card

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

  6. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Power electronics PCB/hardware Test/validation 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.

  7. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  8. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  9. Oklo · Santa Clara, CA; Any Office Location

    Class year not stated Test/validation Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US citizen

    Why these labels?
    Due to the nature of Oklo's work, only U.S. citizens can be considered for these positions.

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

  10. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  11. Hermeus · Atlanta, GA

    Juniors+ Test/validation Spring 2027 Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export $25–33/hr

    Why these labels?
    Pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, or a related technical field (undergraduate student in your third… U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

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

  12. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  13. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  14. Shield AI · Seattle, WA; Dallas, TX

    Class year not stated Test/validation Summer 2027 $38–65/hr

  15. Waymo · Mountain View, CA

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

  16. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Spring 2027

  17. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Summer 2027

  18. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  19. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  20. Formlabs · Somerville, MA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Winter 2027 Spring 2027

  21. Physical Intelligence · San Francisco

    Class year not stated PCB/hardware Test/validation Controls/robotics

  22. Rocket Lab · Pasadena, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Controls/robotics 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.

  23. Rocket Lab · Long Beach, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  24. Rocket Lab · Stennis Space Center, MS

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  25. Rocket Lab · Stennis Space Center, MS

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  26. Skydio · San Mateo, CA · Remote

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

  27. Lightmatter · Boston, MA; Mountain View, CA

    Class year not stated FPGA/RTL/ASIC Test/validation Photonics/optics ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Export Control

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

  28. Anduril Industries · Costa Mesa, CA

    Class year not stated Co-op PCB/hardware Test/validation 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.

  29. Anduril Industries · Quincy, MA

    Class year not stated Co-op Test/validation Controls/robotics 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.

  30. Gecko Robotics · Pittsburgh

    Juniors+ Test/validation Summer 2027

    Why these labels?
    Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or a related technical 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.

  31. Skydio · Tampere, Finland · Remote

    Class year not stated Test/validation Photonics/optics

  32. Lightmatter · Boston, MA

    Class year not stated RF/wireless Test/validation Photonics/optics ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Export Control

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

  33. Rocket Lab · Long Beach, CA

    Class year not stated PCB/hardware Test/validation 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.

  34. 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.

  35. Rocket Lab · Long Beach, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  36. Rocket Lab · Long Beach, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  37. Rocket Lab · Long Beach, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  38. Saronic Technologies · Austin, TX

    Class year not stated Test/validation Controls/robotics Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status.

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

  39. Shield AI · Melbourne

    Class year not stated Test/validation Controls/robotics

  40. Shield AI · Melbourne

    Class year not stated Embedded/firmware Test/validation

  41. Skydio · San Mateo, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Summer 2027

  42. Hermeus · Atlanta, GA; Los Angeles, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  43. Eight Sleep · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Test/validation Fall 2026 $30 – $35 per hour

  44. Hermeus · Atlanta, GA

    Juniors+ Test/validation Spring 2027 Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export $25–33/hr

    Why these labels?
    Must be currently enrolled in a STEM program at an accredited college or university (undergraduate student in your third or fourth year of study, or enrolled in a… U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

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

  45. Formlabs · Somerville, MA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Winter 2027 Spring 2027

  46. Hermeus · Atlanta, GA

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  47. Hermeus · Atlanta, GA; Los Angeles, CA

    Juniors+ Test/validation Spring 2027 Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export $25–33/hr

    Why these labels?
    Must be currently enrolled in a STEM program at an accredited college or university (undergraduate student in your third or fourth year of study, or enrolled in a… U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

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

  48. K2 Space · Los Angeles, CA

    Class year not stated PCB/hardware Test/validation Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans).

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

  49. K2 Space · Los Angeles, CA

    Class year not stated Analog/mixed-signal PCB/hardware Test/validation Summer 2027 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans).

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

  50. Shield AI · Dallas, TX; Seattle, WA +2 more

    Juniors+ PCB/hardware Test/validation Summer 2027 $38–73/hr

    Why these labels?
    Expected to graduate in December 2027 or Spring 2028.

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

  51. 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.

  52. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

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

  53. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

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

  54. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Spring 2027

  55. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Summer 2027

  56. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Spring 2027

  57. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Summer 2027

  58. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Spring 2027

  59. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Summer 2027

  60. 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.

  61. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Juniors+ PCB/hardware Test/validation Summer 2027

    Why these labels?
    Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical 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.

  62. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Spring 2027

  63. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Summer 2027

  64. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Spring 2027

  65. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Summer 2027

  66. Rocket Lab · Auckland, NZ

    Class year not stated RF/wireless Test/validation 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.

  67. Varda Space Industries · El Segundo, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation 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.

  68. Skydio · San Mateo, CA · Remote

    Class year not stated Test/validation Fall 2026 Winter 2027

  69. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Spring 2027

  70. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Summer 2027

  71. Kairos Power · Alameda, CA, Albuquerque, NM; Oak Ridge, TN

    Class year not stated Test/validation Controls/robotics Summer 2027 ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Note: You are applying for a position that is located in a facility that handles information that is subject to export control restrictions by the Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810.

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

  72. Kairos Power · Alameda, CA, Albuquerque, NM; Oak Ridge, TN

    Class year not stated Test/validation Summer 2027 ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    Note: You are applying for a position that is located in a facility that handles information that is subject to export control restrictions by the Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810.

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

  73. Zoox · Hayward, CA · Hybrid

    Class year not stated Test/validation Controls/robotics

  74. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated PCB/hardware Test/validation Fall 2026 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    US Citizenship or Green Card

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

  75. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated PCB/hardware Test/validation Fall 2026 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    US Citizenship or Green Card

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

  76. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Test/validation Fall 2026 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    US Citizenship or Green Card

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

  77. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Test/validation Fall 2026 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.

  78. PsiQuantum · Milpitas, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Semi process/device Photonics/optics US person / PR

    Why these labels?
    Variable based on permanent residency location

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

  79. Zipline · South San Francisco, CA

    Class year not stated Test/validation Fall 2026

  80. Astranis · San Francisco

    Class year not stated Power electronics PCB/hardware Test/validation Fall 2026 US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    US Citizenship or Green Card

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

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

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

  82. Anduril Industries · Costa Mesa, CA; Irvine, CA +1 more

    Class year not stated RF/wireless PCB/hardware Test/validation US person / PR ITAR / export

    Why these labels?
    U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data

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

Other disciplines

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