2027 Internship – Electrical & Computer Engineer - Miniature Device Technologies

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

About The Position

The Miniature Device Technologies Group develops highly customized tools and techniques required to carry out missions around the globe. We leverage our capabilities in mixed-signal application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit board (PCB), embedded software, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and signal processing design to create ultra-small, low-power solutions that exceed comparable commercial alternatives. This capability set provides the end user with a distinct advantage when conducting low-profile radio frequency (RF) communications, electronic countermeasures, and field-forward sensing. The boutique nature of these solutions, which reside between pure research and production, allow us to continually pursue new designs while still seeing our work used operationally.

Requirements

Pursuing Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Math, or a similar major
Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
Strong communication skills
Ability to work both independently and within multi‑organizational teams
Hands‑on experience with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers)
Can read and reference datasheets to identify appropriate parts and implement or confirm operation
Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: Designing or executing automated test procedures for hardware (board-level functional tests, ASIC validation, system integration tests), Hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) concepts (controlling embedded targets from host scripts, simulating sensor/actuator interfaces, using automated setups to validate system behavior), Digital signal processing (familiarity with MATLAB or Python modeling, communication systems, detection and estimation theory), PCBs (component selection, schematic, layout, board level integration, test), RF systems (antennas, impedance matching, characterization, test), Coding in real-time embedded systems (C/C++), Digital logic design using hardware description languages (Verilog, VHDL), Analog/Digital ASIC (verification, layout, mixed-signal simulation, backend, design)
Able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance.
U.S. citizenship

Nice To Haves

Developing hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) test benches that integrate simulation models with real hardware.
Using automated test frameworks or infrastructure (e.g., pytest, NI TestStand, CI-based hardware regression, or custom Python/LabView/MATLAB code) to validate ASICs, PCBs, or embedded systems.
Designing or using custom test fixtures, load boards, or probe cards for device characterization and production test.
Printed circuit board schematic & layout tools such as Altium, Eagle, KiCAD, or Mentor
Highly integrated low size, weight, and power (SWaP) devices
FPGA-based implementation of signal processing algorithms, especially in resource-constrained embedded systems
Software-defined radio architectures and commercial transceiver chip interfaces
Characterizing RF circuits using lab equipment like spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and/or network analyzers
Multiple of the following protocols: RS-232, SPI, CAN, I²C, UART, Ethernet, USB
Common IOT communication frameworks LoRa, Bluetooth Classic or Low Energy, 802.11 family
Memory safe languages like Rust on embedded platforms
Embedded Linux using toolchains like Yocto, Buildroot, or PetaLinux
ASIC design software from Cadence, Synopsys, Siemens
Any circuit or electromagnetic design software such as SPICE, ADS, Microwave Office, and HFSS

Responsibilities

Assist in the development of miniature wireless systems through contributions to the design, implementation and test of low power ASICs, embedded software applications, and board-level integration
Support evaluation of prototype devices and systems through laboratory testing. Develop and execute test plans to verify system performance. Identify and resolve challenging issues through active debugging.
Participate in field evaluation of applications. Rapidly modify relevant subsystem according to test results and in response to evolving technical and operational requirements
Document work in formal technical reports and informal memoranda. Present work to sponsors and the technical community