Programming Intern Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

Intern Product & Innovations
The job responsibilities outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may evolve over time and be reviewed according to business needs.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
The Product & Innovations Intern supports SES's next-generation satellite services by building, integrating, and operating satellite gateway and user terminal systems. This role contributes directly to the validation, deployment, and performance evaluation of SES mPOWER user terminals and associated infrastructure. The intern will gain hands-on experience with satellite antennas, modems, network provisioning, and performance monitoring tools while supporting product development and innovation initiatives. The position uniquely combines hardware integration, network operations, and software-enabled monitoring within a live operational satellite network.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The intern is an individual contributor working under defined technical guidance and supervision, with increasing independence as skills develop. Responsibilities are focused on executing assigned technical tasks, documenting results, and recommending observations or improvements.
1. Satellite Terminal Build, Integration, and Configuration (30%)
o Assemble and integrate satellite gateway and user terminal hardware including anten-nas, RF components, modems, and supporting network equipment.
o Configure terminal hardware according to defined engineering guidelines and test plans.
o Perform basic troubleshooting of hardware, cabling, and connectivity issues following established procedures.
2. Modem, Antenna, and Controller Software Operation (15%)
o Learn and operate modem interfaces, antenna controller software, and related man-agement user interfaces.
o Support configuration, calibration, and verification of antenna pointing and modem pa-rameters.
o Assist in identifying configuration or operational issues and escalate findings to supervis-ing engineers.
3. Terminal Provisioning and Activation on SES mPOWER Network (15%)
o Support provisioning, activation, and validation of user terminals on the SES mPOWER satellite network.
o Execute predefined activation procedures and validation checklists under supervision.
o Verify terminal connectivity, service availability, and basic performance metrics.
4. Performance Monitoring and Telemetry Collection (15%)
o Install, configure, and maintain remote performance monitoring clients on gateways and user terminals.
o Collect and review network, modem, and terminal health data including availability, throughput, latency, and error metrics.
o Flag anomalies and performance deviations in accordance with defined thresholds.
5. Documentation and Reporting (15%)
o Document hardware builds, software configurations, network topologies, and provision-ing steps.
o Prepare periodic performance summaries and test reports for internal engineering and product teams.
o Maintain clear, reproducible records to support analysis, troubleshooting, and future de-ployments.
6. Software Enabled Automation and Integration Support (10%)
o Assist with basic scripting, data collection, or integration tasks using Python, APIs, or cloud tools where applicable.
o Support proof of concept activities related to automation, monitoring, or data visualiza-tion.
o Contribute observations and recommendations to improve workflows or tooling.
COMPETENCIES
Technical Competencies
• Basic understanding of networking concepts (IP addressing, routing, VLANs, throughput, laten-cy).
• Interest in satellite communications, RF systems, or wireless networking.
• Ability to follow technical procedures and interpret engineering documentation.
• Familiarity or willingness to learn hardware integration and lab practices.
• Exposure to Python scripting, APIs, AWS, or cloud based tools is a strong plus.
Behavioral Competencies
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation.
• Curiosity and willingness to learn complex systems in a hands on environment.
• Problem solving mindset with the ability to escalate issues appropriately.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within cross functional engineering and product teams.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Required
• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engi-neering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Foundational knowledge of networking, software, or hardware systems gained through course-work, labs, or internships.
• Ability to work in a hands on lab or field like environment.
Preferred
• Coursework or project experience in satellite communications, RF systems, or wireless network-ing.
• Experience with Python, scripting, REST APIs, or cloud platforms (e.g., AWS).
• Familiarity with Linux environments or network monitoring tools.
Experience Level
• Internship or entry level role; prior professional experience is not required.
OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS / COMMENTS
Key Performance Indicators
• Accuracy and completeness of hardware and configuration documentation
• Successful completion of terminal builds, activations, and monitoring deployments
• Quality and clarity of performance reports and technical summaries
Main Interfaces
• Product & Innovations Engineering
• Network Operations and Systems Engineering
• Modem, antenna, and terminal vendors
Specific Projects
• SES mPOWER user terminal bring up and validation
• Gateway and terminal performance monitoring initiatives
• Productization and innovation proof of concept activities
SES and its Affiliated Companies are committed to providing fair and equal employment opportunities to all. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.
For more information on SES, click here.