We are looking for a Robotics Engineering Intern to help develop the AUV's core hardware systems, with a strong focus on sensor integration, actuator design, and power management. This role involves end-to-end ownership from PCB design and sensor bring-up to embedded driver development and full-system integration. You will be responsible for integrating high-reliability sensors, designing and optimizing actuators (such as motors), and ensuring seamless communication across all subsystems. A key aspect of the role is building efficient power architectures, including battery consumption optimization and Battery Management System (BMS) development, to ensure robust, long-duration operation. This is a hands-on position spanning both lab and field environments, requiring you to ensure that all hardware components perform reliably under demanding underwater conditions.
RESPONSIBILTIES
- Assist in the design, layout, fabrication, and validation of custom PCBs for power distribution, battery systems, and vehicle control electronics.
- Support development and integration of actuators (motors, thrusters, and drive electronics), including basic control and performance testing.
- Help design and maintain efficient onboard power systems, focusing on battery usage, load management, and operational safety.
- Contribute to the mechanical design of robot subsystems, including mounts, enclosures, brackets, sealing interfaces, and structural components using CAD tools.
- Prototype and manufacture parts using rapid fabrication methods such as 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, and basic workshop tools.
- Integrate onboard sensors (IMU, depth/pressure sensors, current monitors, leak detection, etc.) and assist with hardware bring-up, calibration, and validation.
- Develop and debug embedded interfaces and sensor communication pipelines for reliable data delivery to the robotics software stack (ROS2).
- Participate in full system integration: wiring, cable routing, board mounting, thermal management, and documentation updates.
- Assist with testing and troubleshooting across hardware-software interfaces, including electronics validation and system-level debugging.
- Support field deployments and post-mission analysis, helping diagnose issues, review system logs, and improve hardware reliability.
Requirements
MUST HAVE
- Master's/Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electronics, or a closely related field.
- Proven experience designing, fabricating, and validating custom PCBs.
- Knowledge of power systems, including battery usage optimization, power distribution, and working with lithium-based battery systems.
- Strong proficiency with CAD software, preferably Fusion 360.
- Hands-on experience with prototyping and fabrication methods, including 3D printing (FDM/SLA), CNC machining, and laser cutting
- Experience developing or integrating actuators (motors, drivers, control electronics), with an understanding of control and performance considerations.
- Strong proficiency in embedded C/C++ with experience on microcontroller platforms (STM32, Teensy, Arduino, ESP32, or similar).
- Solid understanding of serial communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN) and experience in debugging at the signal level using lab instruments.
- Comfortable in a hardware lab environment, soldering, rework, bench instruments, and hands-on assembly.
NICE TO HAVE
- Experience with subsea or robotics hardware ecosystems, such as Blue Robotics or similar AUV/ROV platforms.
- Familiarity with ROS2 - writing or modifying sensor nodes, using topics and services.
- Experience designing or working with Battery Management Systems (BMS) for lithium-based power systems.
- Experience with conformal coating, potting, or other environmental protection processes for electronics.
- Competitive robotics background (RoboSub, Formula Student, MATE ROV, or similar).
Benefits
- Competetive compensation
- Path to a full-time role or extended internship
- Field work and ocean deployments of hardware
- Work directly with a small, highly technical team
