Research Engineering Interns

Position Specifics

The Communications and Signal Processing Division of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is seeking engineering undergraduate interns to work part-time with senior technical staff to research, design, develop, integrate, and test advanced wireless RF communications systems.

ARL is an authorized DoD Skill Bridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

The part-time position is located at the University Park campus; relocation is not provided. Selected candidates may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during non‑academic times.

• Algorithm development and/or software design
• Develop C/C++ or equivalent code to interface with developed hardware and associated interfaces (SPI, I2C, etc.)
• Integration of Software Defined Radio (SDR) hardware/software components as appropriate
• Evaluate/develop communication security protocols

Interns pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Math are preferred.

Interest required in:

• Software development and design
• Signal Processing
• Digital logic and hardware development

• Computer Networking
• Communications protocols
• OSI stack UDP/TCP/IP
• Familiarity with wireless specifications such as cellular (4G/5G)/Wi‑Fi (802.11)
• FPGA development
• Microcontroller and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) development
• MATLAB/LabVIEW modeling and simulation
• RF principles
• Embedded software/hardware
• Wireless/cyber security
• Assembly language programming
• Malware Analysis
• Hardware debugging

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473.