Software Engineering Intern (Embedded, Backend, Fullstack)

Parallel Systems•Los Angeles, CA

10d

About The Position

Parallel Systems is seeking Software Engineering Interns to help build software for its autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles and the platform behind its fleet. This hands-on position involves shipping work that runs on prototype vehicles, test benches, or services and tools used by the team and operators. Interns are assigned to a vehicle software or backend/full-stack project based on their background and team priorities. Each intern owns a scoped project from requirements through delivery, works closely with a mentor, and tests their work on real hardware or delivers it to real users. The role involves learning how software, hardware, and vehicle data fit together and debugging across those boundaries. Project areas may include vehicle control software for braking, drivetrain, actuators, and power systems; vehicle communications; sensor and diagnostics integration; fleet and telemetry services; fleet operations tools; and developer and test infrastructure. Interns follow a structured engineering lifecycle that includes requirements review, design, implementation, testing, and documentation. The 12-week program progresses from onboarding and platform familiarization through project assignment, implementation, testing, integration, validation, handoff, and presentation of results. Progress is tracked through weekly mentor check-ins, design and code reviews, and feedback from the engineering team. The posted target hourly base compensation range is $50–$50 USD; final compensation depends on the candidate’s final level. The range excludes equity or benefits, if applicable.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field.
Hands-on software experience through internships, student teams, research, coursework, or personal projects.
Strong programming skills in at least one language such as Rust, C, C++, Python, Go, or TypeScript.
Demonstrated experience building software that works in real-world settings, not only in class assignments or simulation.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to debug issues across system boundaries.
Clear communication skills and comfort asking questions and sharing progress early.
Interest in a hands-on, hard-tech environment where software meets physical vehicles.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Rust, C, or C++ on microcontrollers or embedded Linux.
Familiarity with communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, or Ethernet.
Experience building APIs, distributed services, data pipelines, or full-stack web applications.
Familiarity with databases, cloud infrastructure, containers, or CI/CD.
Exposure to RTOS environments, simulation, or hardware-in-the-loop testing.
Experience bringing up sensors, actuators, motor controllers, or other real electromechanical systems.
Experience on hands-on extracurricular engineering teams such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, robotics, rocket club, solar car, autonomous systems teams, or similar.
Strong documentation habits and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Contribute to a specific software project scoped to team priorities.
Own a scoped project from requirements through delivery while working with a mentor.
Review requirements and interfaces, design and implement software, test it, and document results.
Develop or test vehicle control software for braking, drivetrain, actuators, or power systems on microcontrollers or embedded Linux.
Develop and validate vehicle communications interfaces, including bench debugging.
Integrate onboard sensors and devices used for telemetry, health monitoring, and vehicle operation.
Build fleet and telemetry services or data pipelines that ingest, store, and serve vehicle data.
Build APIs and web applications for monitoring, dispatching, and managing vehicles.
Improve CI/CD, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, deployment, and observability infrastructure.
Test work on benches or in staging, integrate it onto prototype vehicles or into production systems, investigate issues, and participate in design reviews.
Validate and hand off project work, document findings and recommended next steps, and present results to the engineering team.