2027 Internship - Custom Communications

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

9d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking motivated interns to help us prototype, evaluate, and improve mission-relevant communication systems. Our projects often require creative engineering approaches to connect systems, move information, and understand performance in constrained or dynamic environments. You will join a team of engineers and scientists who value curiosity, technical difficulty, teamwork, and a willingness to learn across subject areas. As a member of our team, you will learn to... Develop new concepts and technical solutions for resilient communications in challenging operational environments. Design and implement simulation tools to analyze the performance of communications and networking systems, with opportunities to explore agentic solutions. Gain experience with RF and communications technologies, including software-defined radios, SATCOM, cellular systems, and GNURadio. Develop familiarity with Linux-based system integration, radio control interfaces, and programming for analysis, automation, and rapid prototyping. Work with software technologies and frameworks, including but not limited to Docker, IP Networking, Wireshark, and Ansible. Research, advance, and apply new technologies to improve existing communication and networking frameworks, growing resilience, security, and operational flexibility.

Requirements

Pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Experience with Linux or command-line development environments and programming in one or more languages such as Python, Rust, C/C++, or MATLAB.
Interested in developing skills related to communications theory and systems, obfuscated communications, and computer networking.
Able to obtain Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a final Secret level security clearance.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Classroom or professional work experience with operational communication systems, software-defined radios, client-to-server or server-to-server architectures, or developing middleware and networked software solutions.
Knowledge of networking protocols and technologies and how they work with other systems or communication systems across the PHY/MAC layers.

Responsibilities

Develop new concepts and technical solutions for resilient communications in challenging operational environments.
Design and implement simulation tools to analyze the performance of communications and networking systems, with opportunities to explore agentic solutions.
Gain experience with RF and communications technologies, including software-defined radios, SATCOM, cellular systems, and GNURadio.
Develop familiarity with Linux-based system integration, radio control interfaces, and programming for analysis, automation, and rapid prototyping.
Work with software technologies and frameworks, including but not limited to Docker, IP Networking, Wireshark, and Ansible.
Research, advance, and apply new technologies to improve existing communication and networking frameworks, growing resilience, security, and operational flexibility.