Develop embedded software for custom avionics hardware supporting ground testing, manufacturing, and spacecraft flight functions. Responsibilities include implementing processor, peripheral, communication, and closed-loop control functions; writing test and development code for avionics, fluids, and propulsion systems; and producing rigorous, reviewed, tested flight and manufacturing software. The intern will collaborate with hardware, propulsion, and GNC engineers while working onsite in Redondo Beach.
As a Flight/Embedded Software Intern, your core responsibility will be to write embedded code on custom avionics hardware for executing ground test and flight functions. You will work with avionics hardware engineers, propulsion engineers, GNC engineers, and others. You will have the opportunity to contribute to various aspects of spacecraft development, including bench testing of new hardware, automation of test and manufacturing equipment, and writing code for use in flight.
*This internship is 12 weeks long from May/June to August/September of 2027
Responsibilities
- Implement and improve low-level processor functions such as controls of peripherals, and setup of communication interfaces
- Implement and improve functions such as closed loop control of physical processes
- Write scrappy code to support development testing of avionics, fluids, and propulsion devices
- Write rigorous, reviewed, and tested code to support manufacturing and flight
Minimum Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- Experience developing your own embedded microcontroller code for an extracurricular project, ideally in C, C++, Rust, or assembly
- Ability to communicate technical challenges, explain rationale and/or resolve concerns
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience implementing code for control of physical devices such as motors, batteries, power supplies, DAQs, CNCs, 3D printers, RC cars, radios, or just about anything else
- Experience working collaboratively on a team with a mix of hardware and software engineers
- Experience working in a vehicle development environment (cars, planes, rockets, satellites, drones, boats, etc)
- Experience using version control, test cases, and other software best practices
Additional Requirements:
- Willing and able to work on-site in Redondo Beach, CA, for the duration of the internship
- This position may require overtime hours; interns are eligible for overtime pay.
Additional Information:
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
About
Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.
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