Avionics Integration & Test Engineering Intern (Summer 2026)

• →Ownership: Take ownership of test tasks for avionics systems across a range of customer programs
• →Technical Mentorship: Work closely with a dedicated mentor who will provide technical guidance, assign projects, and support your development throughout the internship
• →Test Rack Setup & Integration: Build, configure, and maintain avionics test racks and benches, including hardware setup, cable routing, and interface verification
• →HITL Support: Support hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) test environments by integrating real avionics hardware with simulation infrastructure and verifying end-to-end signal flow
• →Test Execution & Documentation: Write, review, and execute test procedures for functional, environmental, and interface testing; document results clearly and flag anomalies for engineering review
• →Data Acquisition: Operate data acquisition systems and test equipment (oscilloscopes, DMMs, power supplies, thermal chambers, etc.) to capture and analyze test data

• →Current enrollment in college (Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field)
• →Programming experience with Python or another object-oriented language, including writing maintainable, readable code for test or instrumentation applications
• →Basic knowledge of electrical circuits, signals, and electronics fundamentals
• →Familiarity with avionics interfaces or communication protocols (e.g., UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, MIL-STD-1553, or similar)
• →Strong attention to detail when handling flight hardware, test equipment, and technical documentation
• →Curiosity and drive to learn in a fast-paced, hardware-forward environment; comfort taking instruction and asking questions
• →Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to document test results, write clear procedures, and communicate findings to engineers

• →Applicants must be able to commit to a 12-to-16 week internship over the summer 
• →Applicant must be willing to work 40 hours a week on-site in El Segundo, California, USA
• →Applicant must be eligible to work on export controlled projects
• →Job Type: Full-time (Salary)

• Experience in a team-based design and build project (e.g., CubeSat, Formula SAE, Rover Challenge, rocketry, or similar)
• Familiarity with aerospace environmental testing, including thermal cycling, vibration, shock, thermal vacuum (TVAC), and EMI/EMC
• Experience with automated test systems, data logging software, or lab instruments controlled via Python 
• Exposure to hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) or software-in-the-loop (SITL) test architectures
• Familiarity with avionics standards or DO-178C/DO-254 test concepts
• Experience with Linux operating systems and command-line environments
• Exposure to version control systems (e.g., Git) for managing test scripts and documentation
• Understanding of signal integrity concepts or experience using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers to debug hardware interfaces

• To conform with U.S. Government export control regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), 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. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship at this time.

If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply!
Second Order Effects is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SOE is governed on the basis of excellence 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.