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Embedded System Engineer Intern Jobs in Virginia

L3Harris

Intern C, Software Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$24.50 - $46.50/hr

Job Title: Intern, Software Engineering Job Code: 42957 Job Location: Colorado Springs, CO Job ... embedded real time operating systems (VxWorks, Linux, QNX, Integrity, Windows CE, and others for ...

New

Zetier

Cyber Engineering Intern

Arlington, VA · On-site

$95K - $120K/yr

Cyber Engineering Intern Zetier is seeking junior CNO Engineers to develop real-world cyber ... Integration with standard system libraries (POSIX, WIN32 API) * Development on embedded platforms ...

Zetier

Cyber Engineering Intern

Arlington, VA

$19.25 - $25/hr

Cyber Engineering Intern Zetier is seeking junior CNO Engineers to develop real-world cyber ... Integration with standard system libraries (POSIX, WIN32 API) * Development on embedded platforms ...

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All JobsEmbedded System Engineer Intern JobsEmbedded System Engineer Intern Jobs in Virginia

Embedded System Engineer Intern information

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How much do embedded system engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for embedded system engineer intern in Virginia is $25.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.48 and $28.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an embedded system engineer intern?

Embedded System Engineer Interns are students or recent graduates who assist in designing, developing, and testing embedded systems under the supervision of experienced engineers. These systems typically combine hardware and software to perform dedicated functions within larger electronic devices such as cars, medical equipment, or consumer electronics. Interns often help with tasks like programming microcontrollers, troubleshooting hardware, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The position provides hands-on experience and exposure to the development cycle of embedded products, preparing interns for a full-time engineering role.

What types of projects and daily tasks can an embedded system engineer intern expect to work on?

As an Embedded System Engineer Intern, you can expect to be involved in a variety of hands-on projects such as developing and testing firmware for microcontrollers, troubleshooting hardware-software integration issues, and assisting with the design of embedded system prototypes. Daily tasks often include writing and debugging code in languages like C or C++, participating in team meetings to discuss project progress, and collaborating closely with hardware engineers and senior embedded developers. This role offers valuable exposure to real-world product development cycles and provides opportunities to learn industry-standard tools and methodologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an embedded system engineer intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Embedded System Engineer Intern, you generally need a background in electrical engineering or computer science with core skills in C/C++ programming, microcontroller architectures, and basic circuit design. Familiarity with tools such as embedded IDEs (e.g., Keil, MPLAB), oscilloscopes, and version control systems like Git is highly valued, and coursework or certifications in embedded systems are beneficial. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork help interns excel in dynamic project environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing reliable embedded solutions and adapting to the fast-evolving demands of hardware-software integration.

What is the difference between Embedded System Engineer Intern vs Embedded Software Developer Intern?

AspectEmbedded System Engineer InternEmbedded Software Developer Intern
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or holding a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fieldsUsually pursuing or holding a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentHands-on hardware and firmware development, working with microcontrollers and embedded devicesSoftware-focused, developing code for embedded systems, often in simulation or on hardware
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in industries like automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial automationCommon in IoT, consumer electronics, and software companies working on embedded applications

The main difference between Embedded System Engineer Intern and Embedded Software Developer Intern lies in their focus areas. The Embedded System Engineer Intern typically works more with hardware, firmware, and microcontrollers, while the Embedded Software Developer Intern concentrates on writing and testing software for embedded systems. Both roles require related technical skills and are often found in similar industries, but their daily tasks and focus differ.

Embedded System Engineer Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Embedded System Engineer Intern job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,413 per year, or $25.2 per hour.

Software Engineer (Mid/Senior) - Embedded Systems & HITL

ZTI Solutions, LLC

Reston, VA • On-site

$140K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Position Description:
Software Engineer Mid / Senior — Embedded Systems & Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL).
Location: Reston, VA (on-site at customer facility; occasional Washington, DC). 

ZTI Solutions, LLC is hiring an embedded software engineer to support a U.S. Department of Defense program developing mission-critical embedded systems. The successful candidate will be embedded with a multidisciplinary team of software, hardware, and systems engineers responsible for the design, development, integration, and certification of low-level software running on bare metal targets and interfacing with custom and government-furnished hardware. This is a hands-on engineering role requiring strong fundamentals in embedded software, networking, and test automation, as well as the ability to operate effectively in a regulated, security-conscious environment. 
Job Responsibilities:
  • Design and develop low-level bare metal infrastructure (boot, startup, board support packages, drivers, and runtime services) for embedded compute platforms.
  • Design, implement, and optimize networking protocols and stacks (e.g., Ethernet, TCP/IP/UDP, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, CAN, SpaceWire, or program-specific protocols) at the firmware/driver level.
  • Profile, debug, and tune performance, memory utilization, and real-time behavior on resource-constrained targets.
  • Produce design artifacts (interface control documents, software design descriptions, and design review materials) consistent with program and DoD documentation standards.
  • Develop and maintain automated test suites suitable for product qualification, acceptance, and certification activities.
  • Design, build, and operate Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) test environments, including stimulus generation, instrumentation, and data capture.
  • Author and execute test procedures aligned to applicable standards (e.g., DO-178C, MIL-STD-498/882, or program-specific verification plans) and support independent verification and validation (IV&V) activities.
  • Triage failures, perform root-cause analysis, and drive defects to closure within the program's configuration management and issue-tracking processes.
  • Integrate developed software with the core system baseline and with associated hardware components, ensuring interface compliance and end-to-end functionality.
  • Collaborate with hardware, FPGA, systems, and cybersecurity engineers to resolve cross-discipline integration issues.
  • Support laboratory bring-up, system integration test (SIT), formal qualification test (FQT), and field/flight test events as required.
  • Participate in peer code reviews, design reviews, and technical interchange meetings (TIMs) with internal and government stakeholders.
  • Keep up to date on the newest embedded, real-time, and cybersecurity innovations in the field and apply relevant innovations to mission systems.

Qualifications:
Typical Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline; career experience, knowledge, and industry certifications will be considered in lieu of degrees.
  • 5 years or more of professional software engineering experience, with a substantial portion in embedded, bare metal, or real-time environments.
  • Proficiency in C and/or C++ for embedded targets; working knowledge of assembly for at least one common architecture (ARM, PowerPC, x86, or RISC-V).
  • 3 years of demonstrated experience implementing or extending low-level drivers, board support packages (BSPs), or networking protocol stacks.
  • 3 years of hands-on experience developing automated tests and operating HITL or equivalent benchtop test environments.
  • Familiarity with version control (Git), build systems (Make/CMake/Bazel), and continuous integration pipelines.
  • Active U.S. DoD Secret security clearance at time of hire; U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Experience with safety- or mission-critical certification efforts (e.g., DO-178C, ARP4754A, MIL-STD-882, NIST SP 800-53/171, RMF).
  • Experience with RTOS environments (VxWorks, Integrity, LynxOS, FreeRTOS, Zephyr) and/or Linux kernel/driver development.
  • Experience with test frameworks such as Google Test, pytest, LabVIEW, NI TestStand, or program-specific test harnesses.
  • Familiarity with cybersecurity requirements for embedded systems and supply-chain risk management (SCRM).
  • Knowledge of professional software engineering best practices for the full software development lifecycle; including coding standards, peer code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, monitoring, and operations.
  • Experience integrating software with custom and government-furnished hardware in a security-conscious environment.
  • Demonstrated experience in delivering software using agile/scrum methodologies in a DoD program environment.
  • Strong troubleshooting skills; able to resolve integration issues and support hardware/software interface debugging independently.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills with both functional and technical counterparts, including the ability to communicate with users, other technical teams, and senior management to collect requirements, describe technical designs, and convey product strategy.
  • Demonstrated ability to partner with and mentor junior software engineers in embedded, test, and integration disciplines.
  • Experience with configuration management, automated testing, and Test/Behavior Driven Development (T/BDD); Unit, Regression, and Integration Testing.
  • Familiarity with object-oriented design and with functional programming methodology.
  • Applicable industry technical/leadership certifications: Security+, AWS/Azure cloud practitioner certifications, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), or others.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced and challenging integrated-team environment at a DoD customer site, with up to 25% CONUS/OCONUS travel to government, customer, and test facilities.
  • Active U.S. DoD Secret clearance.

Benefits:
  • 3-4 Weeks Paid Time Off.
  • All Federal Holiday's Paid Vacation.
  • Four Percent Matching 401K.
  • Full health/vision/dental benefits for the employee and family paid 100% by ZTI Solutions, LLC.