Drone Systems Engineering Intern

Planned Systems International (PSI) is an Enterprise IT services company who focuses on designing building securing and operating cutting-edge software solutions that drive mission success and operational excellence for Federal Government organizations. PSI is currently seeking a Drone Systems Engineering Intern for Summer 2026 to support the development of a next-generation modular drone system with a 200-mile range designed for operation in DDIL (Denied Degraded Intermittent or Limited) communication environments. This internship offers a hands-on opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge prototyping integration and validation efforts within an agile cross-functional engineering team.

In this role you will assist with mechanical and/or electrical subsystem design using industry-standard CAD or PCB tools such as SolidWorks Fusion 360 and KiCAD. Youll actively contribute to rapid prototyping activities including 3D printing breadboarding and sensor integration. Additional responsibilities include participating in system integration and bench testing conducting hardware debug and sensor calibration and supporting the creation of technical documentation such as design logs test procedures and bill of materials (BOM) tracking.

Youll also gain experience in an agile development environment by attending sprint meetings and contributing to collaborative engineering tasks. The role includes the opportunity to research FAA and regulatory compliance as it pertains to small UAVs adding to the breadth of your exposure.

This internship is ideal for candidates passionate about drones autonomous systems and rapid hardware development. Youll build valuable technical skills including CAD modeling embedded systems experience familiarity with communication protocols (UART SPI I2C) and a working knowledge of languages like Python MATLAB or C/C. You will maintain a running Intern portfolio to track progress and showcase your technical contributions over the course of the internship.

• Hands on experience with:

  • Mechanical and electrical CAD tools

  • Embedded systems and programming (e.g. Arduino STM32 ESP32)

  • Communication protocols (UART SPI I2C)

  • Python MATLAB and C/C

• Assist in the mechanical and/or electrical subsystem design using CAD or PCB tools (SolidWorks Fusion 360 KiCAD etc.).

• Support rapid prototyping efforts (e.g. 3D printing breadboarding sensor integration).

• Participate in system integration and bench testing including hardware debug and sensor calibration.

• Contribute to documentation efforts including design logs test procedures and BOM tracking.

• Collaborate in agile development meetings and contribute to sprint tasks.

• Conduct research on FAA/regulatory compliance topics as they relate to small UAVs.

• Enrolled in a college undergraduate program. Majors such as Mechanical Engineering are preferred.
• Basic experience with mechanical or electrical CAD tools.
• Exposure to embedded systems or programming (e.g. Arduino STM32 ESP32).
• Familiarity with common communication protocols (UART SPI I2C).
• Knowledge of Python MATLAB or C/C is a plus.
• Interest in drones autonomous systems and rapid hardware development.
• Must have successfully completed one year of an accredited university/college with salient courseware to support meaningful contributions to systems engineering requirements for project.

PSI offers full-time benefits eligible employees a competitive total compensation package that includes paid leave and options for employer sponsored group medical dental vision short-term and long-term disability life insurance AD&D coverage legal services identity theft and accident insurance. Flexible spending account and health saving account options offer pre-tax savings for qualified medical dental and vision expenses. The company sponsored 401(k) retirement plan has an employer contribution match that is immediately vested. We invest in the professional growth of our employees through professional courses certifications and tuition reimbursement programs.

It is company policy to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions including but not limited to recruiting hiring training promotion compensation benefits and termination are made without regard to race color religion age sex sexual orientation pregnancy gender identity genetic information national origin citizenship status veteran status protected veteran status disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law.

Reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities will be provided. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process to perform essential job functions and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment please contact Human Resources by emailing or by dialing .