Engineering Intern

Ultra I&C • San Diego, CA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Ultra I&C Edge Compute provides secure computing, communications, and engineering solutions focused on airborne rugged and contested environments. The Knox™ family of multifunction processors are SOSA-aligned, 3U OpenVPX systems that deliver rugged, high-performance edge computing across air, land, and maritime missions. Knox systems power critical defense applications including sensor fusion, AI/ML inference, tactical command and control, and multi-domain operations — deployed on platforms ranging from tactical UAVs (Knox-5) to strategic airborne assets (Knox-7, Knox-10). This internship offers a rare opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge defense hardware at the edge of compute technology. We are seeking a motivated Engineering Intern to support our Knox Systems Engineering Integration and Test (SEIT) team. This is a hands-on, learning-focused role designed for early-career students pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering. The intern will assist with hardware integration, documentation, lab testing, and engineering support activities across the Knox product line. This role is an excellent entry point for students passionate about defense systems, rugged hardware, and real-world engineering — and is structured to grow with the intern's developing skills.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an accredited Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering program (community college, undergraduate, or higher)
• Strong academic record and demonstrated passion for engineering, hardware, or defense technology
• Basic familiarity with engineering tools — CAD software (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or equivalent), 3D printing, or circuit fundamentals
• Ability to follow complex instructions, document work accurately, and operate safely in a laboratory environment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and willingness to learn
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience with electronics or electromechanical systems (school projects, maker projects, or hobby work welcomed)
• Familiarity with basic lab equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, bench power supplies)
• Experience with 3D printing hardware and slicer software (Cura, Bambu Studio, or equivalent)
• Basic Python or MATLAB scripting experience
• Exposure to SolidWorks, SolidWorks Electrical, or other mechanical/electrical CAD tools
• Familiarity with cable assembly and wiring diagram tools such as Visio, Zuken E3, Capital Electra, or Altium for creating harness and interconnect drawings
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation
• Interest in defense, aerospace, or rugged electronics systems

Responsibilities

• Assist with bench-level integration and testing of 3U OpenVPX modules and Knox chassis configurations
• Support setup, operation, and logging of lab test equipment including oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, and signal generators
• Help with cable routing, connector identification, and physical hardware assembly and inspection
• Assist with 3D printing of mechanical fixtures, brackets, and test aids using CAD models and slicer tools
• Support documentation of hardware configurations, build states, and test setups
• Assist in maintaining integration checklists, test logs, and engineering notebooks
• Support drafting and editing of test procedures, integration plans, and engineering reports under engineer guidance
• Help track action items, discrepancies, and hardware status using issue tracking tools (Jira)
• Participate in team meetings, design discussions, and lab integration events
• Support requirements traceability activities and documentation reviews
• Shadow senior SEIT engineers through the full integration lifecycle — from component bring-up through system-level test
• Develop familiarity with SOSA-aligned OpenVPX architecture, rugged defense hardware, and airborne system integration
• Build exposure to EMI/EMC testing practices and MIL-STD compliance in a lab environment
• Learn systems engineering fundamentals including ConOps, requirements derivation, and design review processes (SRR, PDR, CDR)

Benefits

• Hands-on experience with real defense hardware — 3U OpenVPX multifunction processors deployed on operational platforms
• Mentorship from experienced Systems Engineering Integration and Test (SEIT) professionals
• Exposure to the full systems engineering lifecycle in a defense product environment
• Practical lab skills: test equipment operation, hardware bring-up, integration documentation
• Familiarity with defense industry standards including SOSA, VITA, and MIL-STD frameworks
• A strong resume credential in the defense edge computing space

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree