Electronic Systems and Hardware Co-Op

Pennsylvania State University - Warminster, PA

Full-time - Intern

Warminster, PA

Educational Services

About the position

The Navigation Research and Development Division (NRDD), part of The Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at The Pennsylvania State University, is seeking Undergraduate and Graduate Student Co-ops to support research, development, and engineering activities. The NRDD is focused on developing advanced navigation technologies and is equipped with unique laboratories designed for testing precise navigation sensors and systems. The mission of the NRDD is to conduct new navigation technology research and development, systems engineering, and provide expert knowledge for U.S. government sponsors, including the Navy and Army. As an electronic systems, hardware, and navigation test co-op, you will support laboratory operations related to the development, testing, and evaluation of navigation systems. You will work collaboratively with a team of scientists and engineers, engaging in hands-on work with electrical circuitry, embedded software, and FPGA firmware development. Co-ops will participate in various projects, including designing and building hardware to interface with state-of-the-art equipment, programming software for data logging and processing, real-time programming of mathematical algorithms, and conducting live tests of sensors. This position offers an opportunity to learn and strengthen practical skills such as electrical circuit design and troubleshooting, drafting electrical schematics, solid modeling, hardware interfacing, and electrical fabrication. The ideal candidates are undergraduate and graduate students studying Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, who are available to work at the Warminster facility for a six-month period. Multiple vacancies are available, and candidates will be subject to a government security investigation and a pre-employment drug screen.

Responsibilities

• Support laboratory operations related to the development, testing, and evaluation of navigation systems.
• Work with a cooperative team of scientists and engineers on hands-on projects involving electrical circuitry, embedded software, and FPGA firmware development.
• Design and build hardware to interface with state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation.
• Program software to interface with equipment and for logging/processing test data.
• Conduct real-time programming of mathematical algorithms and analyze data.
• Conduct live tests of sensors.

Requirements

• Undergraduate or Graduate student status in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
• Availability to work at the Warminster facility for a six-month period.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong interest in navigation technology and systems engineering.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with electrical circuit design and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with drafting electrical schematics and solid modeling.
• Knowledge of hardware interfacing and electrical fabrication.

Benefits

• Opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a research environment.
• Exposure to advanced navigation technologies and systems.
• Collaboration with experienced scientists and engineers.