IAE Electrical Engineering Internship – Summer

Job Description

The University of South Florida (USF) Institute of Applied Engineering (IAE) provides agile, best‑value engineering solutions to enhance the performance and effectiveness of its sponsors, including the Department of Defense; other federal, state, and local agencies; and industry. These engineering solutions include hardware‑and‑software‑based research, advanced technology development, prototypes, and technical services.

The Electrical Engineering Intern will support USF IAE engineering projects focused on embedded systems, sensing technologies, robotics, data collection, and prototype development. This internship provides hands‑on experience supporting real‑world engineering efforts aligned with national security, defense, and advanced technology initiatives. The internship program is administered by USF Institute of Applied Engineering. Upon hire, you will be considered a USF IAE Temporary Employee.

Because this internship is partially funded by the Department of Defense, U.S. Citizenship is required for eligibility.

• Hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.
• Minimum 15 hours and maximum 20 hours per week during Fall/Spring semesters.
• Internship is primarily in‑person at USF IAE facilities with limited remote work opportunities.

• Participate in advanced engineering research and development projects.
• Gain hands‑on experience with embedded systems, robotics, and sensing technologies.
• Work alongside engineers supporting Department of Defense initiatives.
• Build professional experience and technical skills applicable to industry and government careers.
• Opportunity for continued internship employment based on performance.
• Letter of recommendation available upon request.

$18.50 per hour

• Assist with the design, integration, and testing of electrical and embedded systems.
• Support development and programming of Raspberry Pi‑based systems and sensor networks.
• Interface and troubleshoot sensors, communications modules, and peripheral devices using Raspberry Pi GPIO and common protocols (I2C, SPI, UART).
• Develop and maintain Python scripts for data collection, automation, and sensor integration.
• Support laboratory testing, prototype development, and system validation activities.
• Conduct technical research on emerging sensing technologies and embedded platforms.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to support prototype development and experimentation.
• Document technical findings, test procedures, and engineering recommendations.

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline.
• Junior or Senior standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Experience with Raspberry Pi hardware and Linux‑based systems.
• Experience programming in Python.
• Familiarity with electronics, sensors, GPIO interfaces, and embedded systems.
• Experience with soldering, bread boarding, and hardware troubleshooting is preferred.
• Interest in robotics, autonomous systems, sensing technologies, or data acquisition systems.
• Special consideration will be given to students with experience or interest in subsea sensing, underwater acoustics, hydrophones, sonar systems, or oceanographic instrumentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic engineering environment.

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process.

This job description does not constitute an employment contract.