Summer 2026 Autonomy & Robotics Engineering Intern

AeroVironment • Minneapolis, MN

6d

About The Position

Our Summer Internship Program is meticulously designed to provide students with an immersive and dynamic experience within our industry, offering a taste of what it's like to be part of our professional team. We strive to simulate a full-time job, enabling our interns to work hands-on with cutting-edge technology, contribute to meaningful projects, build strong relationships with coworkers, and develop strategic problem-solving skills. Our program is highly selective, hosting only a handful of interns each year, ensuring personalized attention and ample opportunities to work closely with AV team members. We are hiring for various roles and locations throughout the U.S. During the interview process, we will discuss specific details regarding the team and location. As an Autonomy & Robotics Engineering Intern, you will work alongside a team of skilled engineers to support the development of autonomous behaviors, machine perception, and robotic control systems for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and other advanced platforms. You’ll gain experience in algorithm development, simulation, and integration on real hardware in a fast-paced, collaborative R&D environment. This internship provides a hands-on opportunity to apply your academic knowledge to cutting-edge autonomy applications, with mentorship and support from senior engineers.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field
• Coursework or project experience in areas such as robotics, autonomy, or computer vision
• Proficiency in C/C++ (modern standards like C++11 or later preferred)
• Familiarity with Python and/or MATLAB for data analysis or prototyping
• Interest in working with UAS, robotics, or autonomous systems
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Willingness to learn, collaborate, and work in a hands-on environment

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Robot Operating System (ROS)
• Familiarity with: Vision-based perception (e.g., feature tracking, template matching, visual odometry)
• Trajectory planning, GNC algorithms, or control systems
• Embedded systems or low size, weight, and power (SWaP) devices
• Exposure to simulation tools, real-time systems, or experimental robotics
• Involvement in robotics competitions, clubs, or research projects

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design, implementation, and testing of algorithms related to: Computer vision, object tracking, and target detection
• Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) integrated with visual sensors
• State estimation using inertial and visual data
• Autonomous behavior modeling (e.g., finite-state machines, behavior trees)
• Path planning and multi-vehicle coordination
• Support the development and debugging of autonomy software on simulation platforms and real hardware
• Collaborate with teammates on testing, data collection, and experimental design
• Participate in code reviews and integration efforts across multidisciplinary teams
• Document and present findings in internal reports or presentations
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

What This Job Offers

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