Mission Critical Software Engineering Co-op
About The Position
Overview: Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com . Job Description Summary: We are seeking a motivated Embedded Software Engineering Summer Intern/Co-op starting in the Summer 2026. This is a full-time, in-person opportunity designed for students currently enrolled in a college or university majoring in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or equivalent. Job Description: Duties/Responsibilities Design, develop, and enhancement engineering solutions for challenging problems. Implement, test, perform analysis, and provide documentation support. Generate and present test reports including plots, tables, evaluation criteria, and conclusions from data collected and analyzed throughout the test process. Complete assignments designed to develop a practical knowledge of processes, procedures, equipment, facilities, and systems as well as their interrelationships within engineering disciplines. Performs other duties as assigned. Program Requirements Enrolled in an accredited full-time undergraduate or graduate degree program required. There is flexibility regarding hours and program duration based on applicant’s school schedule and availability.
Requirements
- Enrolled in an accredited full-time undergraduate or graduate degree program required.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent work ethic with the ability to work independently or in a team environment.
- Ability to adapt to ever-changing environments, risks, and vulnerabilities.
- Strong computer skills including MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
- Working knowledge of C/C++ programming for embedded systems.
- Familiarity with Python for scripting and automation tasks.
- Basic understanding of microcontrollers, digital interfaces, and embedded development environments.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with embedded debugging tools (e.g., JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, gdb).
- Exposure to real-time operating systems (RTOS).
- Rust development experience is a plus
- Familiarity with version control systems such as Git.
- Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain embedded software systems and/or simulations.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including hardware, software, and integration and test engineers.
- Debug and troubleshoot software and firmware issues using lab equipment and software tools.
- Write and maintain documentation for software design and implementation.
- Develop and execute software unit tests, and document test results.
- Support integration and validation of software in system-level environments.
- Contribute to continuous software integration and development.
- Design, develop, and enhancement engineering solutions for challenging problems.
- Implement, test, perform analysis, and provide documentation support.
- Generate and present test reports including plots, tables, evaluation criteria, and conclusions from data collected and analyzed throughout the test process.
- Complete assignments designed to develop a practical knowledge of processes, procedures, equipment, facilities, and systems as well as their interrelationships within engineering disciplines.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
