PIXIS - 2026 Summer Internship - UAV Technology & Systems Intern

RedPeg Marketing•Alexandria, VA

9h•$15 - $18•Hybrid

About The Position

The UAV Technology & Systems Intern will support research and development efforts focused on drone and uncrewed aerial systems technology. Rather than direct flight operations or show execution, this role centers on understanding how UAV systems work, how they’re advancing, and how to apply new technologies to Pixis products and processes. This internship is ideal for a student enrolled in a UAV/UAS, Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems, Aeronautical Engineering, Robotics, or Drone Technology program who wants to apply academic knowledge in a real-world R&D context.

Requirements

Pursuing or enrolled in a degree program with focus on UAV/UAS, Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems, Robotics, Aeronautical Engineering, Drone Technology, or similar areas
Familiarity with UAV system fundamentals such as flight control, sensors, navigation, embedded systems, and autonomy coursework
Strong curiosity about how drone technologies work and evolve
Comfortable with technical research, documentation, and analysis
Detail-oriented and capable of synthesizing complex technical information
Excellent communication and ability to present findings to diverse teams
Self-motivated, inquisitive, and eager to learn in a fast-paced tech environment

Nice To Haves

Understanding of FAA regulations and UAS ecosystem from academic study (e.g., Part 107, airspace integration) is a plus
Basic coding or scripting experience (Python, MATLAB, or C/C++) is a plus

Responsibilities

Technology Research & Evaluation Research emerging UAV technologies (control systems, sensors, autonomy, swarm coordination, propulsion, payload integration, etc.)
Evaluate new hardware/software innovations relevant to drone light shows and beyond
Summarize findings in clear technical briefs for engineering and leadership review
Support documentation of UAV subsystems, architecture, and integration workflows
Assist with mapping how commercial and custom drone hardware interacts with Pixis software and show systems
Compare technologies for scalability, performance, cost, and FAA compliance
Assist engineers with basic prototype testing, data capture, and system performance analysis
Help design test plans for new sensory or navigation capabilities
Support iterative evaluation of autonomous algorithms and operational logic
Work with engineering, operations, and creative teams to understand how systems knowledge informs show design and delivery
Participate in internal tech discussions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and strategy meetings
Shadow senior engineers and UAV technologists in project reviews and vendor evaluations