2026 Internship -Electrical Engineer - Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory • Laurel, MD

13h • $23 - $48

About The Position

Are you passionate about embracing challenges and deploying solutions?
The Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) group engineers solutions from concept design to field deployment for our government sponsors on rapid timelines. Our projects encompass a variety of domains (air, land, and sea) and technologies (passive sensing, imaging, communications, sonar, radar, etc.) for applications ranging from autonomous low power devices to uncrewed vehicles. Project teams are small and multidisciplinary -- all of our staff members have ownership over their work and collaborate closely across electrical, mechanical, and software design. Our senior staff are dedicated to mentoring junior staff to become engineers who can handle a wide variety of technical challenges. If you’re looking to develop a skillset, take ownership in your projects, and see them from concept through delivery, then this may be the opportunity for you!
We are seeking a self-motivated and creative electrical engineering intern to help us rapidly develop tailored sensor systems to attain information in the world’s most austere environments. Our team is motivated by the belief that timely and actionable information is key to our nation’s preeminence. During your internship, you will become part of a group of engineers who work together in a collaborative development environment to adapt and field new technologies.

Requirements

• Are working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field of study.
• Can interact effectively with team members of different experience levels and backgrounds.
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Note: When prompted to upload attachments, please include a copy of your college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
• Are able to acquire an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately acquire a 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.

Nice To Haves

• Have pursued technical projects and extracurricular activities outside of the classroom
• Have hands-on experience with circuit design for embedded systems, using RF laboratory equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.), and debugging sensor systems
• Have experience designing, assembling, and testing PCBs using tools such as Altium, Xpedition, and KiCad or have exposure to FPGA design, HDL (VHDL/Verilog), or high-speed digital interfaces
• Possess an active security clearance

Responsibilities

• Apply your skills by contributing to the development of sophisticated sensor systems
• Work closely with senior mentors to rapidly develop prototypes and test them in the field
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of mechanical, electrical, embedded, and software engineers on domains (air, land, and sea) and technologies (passive sensing, imaging, communications, sonar, radar, magnetics, and others)
• Take ownership of your projects, seeing them from concept through delivery

Benefits

• We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
• Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees