Software Engineer Intern - Lab Infrastructure Automation

Viasat, Inc. • Carlsbad, CA

1d • $21 - $57 • Onsite

About The Position

Join our team at Viasat, where we address global challenges with innovative solutions and offer outstanding growth opportunities. As a Software Engineer Intern - Lab Infrastructure Automation, you will bridge the gap between physical hardware and software automation. You will help build and code the infrastructure that allows our world-class lab environments to dynamically adapt to complex testing needs.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science, engineering or a related field
• To be eligible for this position your final graduation date must fall between December 2026 and August 2027
• You must be available to work 40 hours/week for the full duration of the internship program as outlined in the cohort dates below. Limited exceptions may be granted. Viasat offers two options based on semester and quarter academic calendars:
• Cohort 1: May 18, 2026 – August 14, 2026
• Cohort 2: June 22, 2026 – September 18, 2026
• Previous experience with Python, specifically for scripting and/or automation tasks
• Basic understanding of networking
• Comfortable racking, stacking, and cabling

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Network Automation tools (Ansible, Netmiko)
• Prior exposure to lab environments or test bench setups
• Knowledge of electrical safety and datacenter guidelines
• Experience with libraries such as requests or urllib for API interaction
• Understanding of RESTful APIs and how to parse JSON/XML data to control hardware devices programmatically.
• Familiarity with Git or similar tools for managing code revisions
• Solid understanding of the OSI model, with a specific focus on Layer 1 (Physical) connectivity and troubleshooting.
• Understanding of port configuration, link status, and basic network topology
• Comfort working in a command-line environment (CLI) to complete scripts and solve system connectivity
• Proficiency in positioning and configuring network equipment (1U/2U switches) and maintaining power connections.
• Experience with or willingness to learn accurate cabling standards (Ethernet/Fiber), including dressing cables for airflow and organization
• Attention to detail for labeling ports, cables, and devices to match documentation
• Ability to write clear, concise documentation for code (comments/READMEs) and operational procedures (runbooks)
• Interest in troubleshooting physical connectivity issues versus software logic errors

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate Python scripts to communicate with the REST API of the Layer 1 switch.
• Build logic to map specific switch ports to distinct lab environments (e.g., "Move AP #4 to the Performance Test Lab").
• Troubleshoot code execution and handle API response errors.
• Arrange and install network equipment in the datacenter or lab environment.
• Install and arrange Ethernet cabling connecting Access Points (APs) to the Layer 1 switch ports.
• Label physical cables and ports to match the digital inventory and build specifications.
• Participate in build reviews with senior engineers to ensure the automation meets lab requirements.
• Document API wrappers and physical topology diagrams.
• Build a "How-To" guide for other engineers to use the new tool once deployed.

Benefits

• Housing and relocation assistance are available to interns pending eligibility.
• To ensure equity across our intern population, intern compensation is pre-determined based on a variety of factors including: role, location, and final graduation date. Intern compensation is non-negotiable.
• Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern