Summer 2027 Autonomy & Robotics Engineering Intern

AeroVironment•Dayton, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Our paid Summer Internship Program is designed to provide students with an immersive, hands-on experience within the aerospace and defense industry. Interns work alongside AV team members on meaningful projects involving cutting-edge technology while developing professional relationships, strategic problem-solving skills, and practical experience in a full-time work environment. This is a 12-week, onsite program intended for highly motivated and passionate students who are currently enrolled in college or are recent graduates. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, with a preference for students at the junior level or above. Our program has been recognized by Yello and WayUp as one of the Top 100 Internship Programs in the United States for multiple years. Depending on the team and location, students who are willing to relocate for their internship may be eligible for a relocation and housing reimbursement stipend. AV offers internship opportunities across various teams and locations throughout the United States. Specific team, location, and program details will be discussed during the interview process. As an Autonomy & Robotics Engineering Intern, you will work alongside a team of skilled engineers to support the development of autonomous behaviors, machine perception, and robotic control systems for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and other advanced platforms. You’ll gain experience in algorithm development, simulation, and integration on real hardware in a fast-paced, collaborative R&D environment. This internship provides a hands-on opportunity to apply your academic knowledge to cutting-edge autonomy applications, with mentorship and support from senior engineers.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field
Coursework or project experience in areas such as robotics, autonomy, or computer vision
Proficiency in C/C++ (modern standards like C++11 or later preferred)
Familiarity with Python and/or MATLAB for data analysis or prototyping
Interest in working with UAS, robotics, or autonomous systems
Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills
Willingness to learn, collaborate, and work in a hands-on environment
Minimum 3.0 GPA
Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee) due to ITAR/EAR requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Robot Operating System (ROS)
Familiarity with: Vision-based perception (e.g., feature tracking, template matching, visual odometry); Trajectory planning, GNC algorithms, or control systems; Embedded systems or low size, weight, and power (SWaP) devices
Exposure to simulation tools, real-time systems, or experimental robotics
Involvement in robotics competitions, clubs, or research projects
Team-oriented mindset with strong collaboration skills
Comfortable asking questions and taking initiative to solve problems
Thrives in a dynamic, deadline-driven R&D environment
Demonstrates accountability and a commitment to continuous learning
Able to clearly communicate technical information to diverse audiences

Responsibilities

Assist in the design, implementation, and testing of algorithms related to: Computer vision, object tracking, and target detection; Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) integrated with visual sensors; State estimation using inertial and visual data; Autonomous behavior modeling (e.g., finite-state machines, behavior trees); Path planning and multi-vehicle coordination
Support the development and debugging of autonomy software on simulation platforms and real hardware
Collaborate with teammates on testing, data collection, and experimental design
Participate in code reviews and integration efforts across multidisciplinary teams
Document and present findings in internal reports or presentations
Perform other duties as assigned