SDV Student Intern

IAV Automotive Engineering•Novi, MI

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

IAV Group is an engineering and technical consultancy servicing the global automotive industry with approximately 7,000 employees worldwide and more than 40 years of experience. As a recognized leader in the specification, design, development, validation and production launch of advanced vehicle and powertrain systems, IAV Automotive Engineering deploys a leading team of technical experts, engineering tools and program processes from its North American Headquarters in Novi, Michigan. IAV is currently seeking motivated and curious SDV Enabler Co-op (Student Intern) at our North American Headquarters in Novi, Michigan. The SDV Enablers Co-op (Student Intern) will support ongoing development, testing, and integration activities related to software-defined vehicle technologies. In addition to core automotive SDV work, there may be opportunities to contribute to general embedded systems and embedded software projects, including applications in IoT and robotics, depending on project needs and student interests. The Co-op will be assigned to internal engineering projects, some of which may be developed for technology demonstrations, trade shows, and internal or customer-facing tech days. The position reports directly to the SDV Enablers Manager, with day-to-day technical guidance and task assignments provided by a Senior Engineer.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
Must be able to manage school and internship schedules.
Must have at least one year remaining before graduation at the start of the co-op term
Basic understanding of software development principles
Familiarity with at least one programming language (e.g., C/C++, Python, Java)
Foundational knowledge of embedded systems, including microcontrollers, processors, and peripherals
Basic understanding of embedded software concepts such as interrupts, timers, memory management, and real-time behavior.
Interest in automotive systems, embedded software, or software-defined vehicles
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to work effectively in a team environment

Nice To Haves

Exposure to automotive standards (ISO 26262, ISO 21434, Automotive SPICE)
Familiarity with ASPICE (Automotive SPICE) processes
Basic understanding of functional safety concepts
Experience or coursework in embedded C/C++ development
Working knowledge of Python for scripting, testing, or automation
Experience with compiling and debugging embedded C code
Understanding of AUTOSAR concepts and architecture
Familiarity with CAN protocol and in-vehicle communication concept
Ability to read datasheets to understand and integrate chips and peripherals
Basic understanding of electrical schematics
Hands-on experience with soldering and basic hardware bring-up is a plus
Familiarity with test automation concepts or tools
Experience with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence)
Understanding of communication protocols used in embedded, IoT, and automotive systems (e.g., CAN, LIN, SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet, MQTT)
Exposure to IoT platforms, sensors, or edge devices
Interest in robotics, control systems, or autonomous systems
Interest in AI, machine learning, or data-driven development
Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git)

Responsibilities

Support software development activities across SDV-related projects, including architecture, implementation, and testing.
Assist with testing and validation efforts using MiL, SiL, and HiL environments.
Contribute to test automation and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
Support compliance activities related to automotive standards such as ISO 26262 (Functional Safety), ISO 21434 (Cybersecurity), and ISO 24089 (Software Updates).
Assist in the development and documentation of system and software architectures.
Support AI-infused development tools and data-driven approaches to improve development efficiency.
Participate in agile development processes (e.g., SCRUM, Automotive SPICE).
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including software, systems, validation, and cloud infrastructure engineers.