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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Electrical Engineering Intern

💰 $ - $

EngineeringInternshipElectrical Engineering

🎯 Role Definition

The Electrical Engineering Intern supports engineering teams by assisting with electronic design, prototype assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and documentation. This role is ideal for students or recent graduates pursuing hands-on experience in PCB design, circuit simulation, embedded systems, test engineering, and laboratory measurement techniques. The intern will work under the supervision of senior engineers across hardware, firmware, and systems teams to drive small project tasks and contribute to product development sprints.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Undergraduate student in Electrical Engineering or related technical program seeking co-op or internship experience.
  • Technical co-op or lab assistant with foundational electronics coursework and hands-on lab exposure.
  • Electronics technician / hardware assembly student looking to transition into design and test.

Advancement To:

  • Junior Electrical Engineer / Test Engineer
  • Embedded Systems Engineer / Firmware Engineer
  • Hardware Design Engineer (PCB Designer)
  • Systems Engineer / Product Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • PCB Layout Specialist
  • Test Automation Engineer
  • Power Electronics Technician
  • Quality & Compliance Associate (EMC/UL testing)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist in the schematic capture and PCB layout workflow, supporting senior engineers with component selection, footprint verification, and creation of design files in tools such as Altium Designer, Eagle, or KiCad.
  • Perform circuit simulations and signal analysis using SPICE tools (LTspice, PSpice) and validate predicted behavior against prototype measurements.
  • Build, assemble, and solder prototypes and evaluation boards, following BOM and assembly instructions while observing ESD and clean-room precautions.
  • Execute lab test plans and measurement procedures using oscilloscopes, multimeters, function generators, source measure units (SMUs), and spectrum analyzers to characterize circuit performance.
  • Write, modify, and run test scripts for automated measurement and data collection using Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW to accelerate validation cycles and reduce manual effort.
  • Collaborate with firmware engineers to validate hardware/software integration on microcontroller-based platforms (ARM Cortex, AVR, PIC), including flashing, debugging, and serial communication tests.
  • Support power electronics tasks including basic design checks, power rail verification, thermal measurements, and assistance with heat-sinking and layout for thermal management.
  • Participate in design reviews and provide concise, actionable feedback on manufacturability, testability, and component sourcing constraints.
  • Create and maintain clear technical documentation: test reports, assembly guides, schematics, PCB fabrication notes, and change logs in the company’s document control system.
  • Troubleshoot failures in prototypes by performing root cause analysis, logging findings, and proposing corrective actions or design changes to engineering leads.
  • Assist with BOM updates, cost tracking, and component lifecycle checks, engaging with purchasing or suppliers to clarify part specs and lead-times.
  • Support EMC/EMI pre-testing activities such as grounding checks, cable routing reviews, and basic shielding recommendations to prepare prototypes for compliance labs.
  • Conduct basic signal integrity checks and help implement simple mitigation strategies (termination, impedance matching, layout adjustments) under guidance.
  • Apply measurement and quality control techniques to perform acceptance testing of incoming boards and components; document anomalies and escalate supply issues.
  • Assist in developing and executing validation plans for analog front-ends, ADC/DAC chains, and sensor interfaces to ensure accuracy and robustness.
  • Support cross-functional teams (mechanical, firmware, systems) to ensure electronic designs meet physical enclosure constraints and system-level requirements.
  • Implement and maintain bench setup and test fixtures, creating repeatable jigs and harnesses to streamline testing and reduce setup time for recurring experiments.
  • Participate in collection and analysis of test data, generating charts and summaries that help engineering teams make data-driven decisions on design iterations.
  • Help build and maintain laboratory safety and calibration records, ensuring test instruments are in specification and properly labeled.
  • Learn and apply company-specific engineering processes (change control, design verification, EHS procedures) to support product development lifecycle compliance.
  • Support rapid prototyping activities such as breadboarding, evaluation module testing, and quick-turn modification requests to accelerate proof-of-concept work.
  • Shadow senior engineers during supplier technical reviews, manufacturing kickoff meetings, and test lab sessions to gain exposure to productization and production readiness processes.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting test automation enhancements, documentation standardization, or small process changes that increase team efficiency.
  • Prepare and present concise updates on assigned tasks during stand-ups and engineering meetings, demonstrating ownership and clarity on next steps.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in preparing prototypes and test samples for vendor or compliance labs, coordinating logistics and packaging instructions.
  • Support ad-hoc engineering tasks such as parts kitting, inventory reconciliation, and lab housekeeping to maintain a productive development environment.
  • Contribute to departmental knowledge base articles and onboarding checklists for future interns and new hires.
  • Participate in cross-discipline brainstorming sessions to provide fresh perspectives on problem-solving and product features.
  • Help maintain software and firmware repositories with correct versioning and documentation for reproducible experiments and tests.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient with PCB design tools and workflows (Altium Designer, KiCad, Eagle) including schematic capture, layout constraints, and generating fabrication outputs.
  • Experience or coursework in circuit simulation and analysis (LTSpice, PSpice, SPICE-based tools) for analog and mixed-signal circuits.
  • Hands-on use of laboratory instruments: digital oscilloscope, multimeter, power supplies, function generator, and spectrum analyzer.
  • Basic familiarity with microcontrollers and embedded development (ARM Cortex-M, Arduino, ESP32), including flashing, debugging, and serial communication.
  • Scripting or programming for test automation and data analysis in Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW.
  • Understanding of analog electronics fundamentals: filters, amplifiers, ADC/DAC, op-amps, and sensor interfaces.
  • Foundational knowledge of power electronics concepts: DC power rails, switching converters, thermal considerations, and layout for high-current paths.
  • Experience with hardware troubleshooting techniques: continuity checks, signal tracing, differential measurements, and oscilloscope probing best practices.
  • Basic exposure to EMC/EMI mitigation principles and design-for-test (DFT) considerations.
  • Familiarity with BOM management, part datasheet interpretation, and component selection (capacitors, resistors, inductors, ICs).
  • Basic soldering and assembly skills for building and modifying prototypes and evaluation boards.
  • Version control awareness for hardware and firmware artifacts (Git, SVN) and document control practices.
  • Familiarity with CAD tools for mechanical packaging coordination (SolidWorks basic exposure is a plus).
  • Knowledge of digital design fundamentals including logic levels, timing, and bus protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN).
  • Basic FPGA/HDL exposure (Verilog/VHDL) is a plus for roles with digital design overlap.

Soft Skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for clear lab reports, design notes, and cross-team collaboration.
  • Problem-solving mindset with curiosity and persistence to debug complex hardware/software interactions.
  • Attention to detail and discipline in following test procedures, safety protocols, and documentation standards.
  • Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment and accept constructive feedback.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance multiple small project tasks and meet milestone deadlines.
  • Adaptability and quick learning ability to pick up new tools, measurement techniques, and domain knowledge.
  • Professionalism in escalating issues, communicating risks, and documenting uncertainties or assumptions.
  • Initiative to propose small process improvements and contribute to a culture of continuous learning.
  • Comfortable presenting concise technical updates to engineers and managers in stand-ups or reviews.
  • Ethical approach to handling proprietary designs, test results, and confidential supplier information.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently enrolled in or recently completed a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Progress toward completion of junior or senior year in a relevant degree program, coursework in analog/digital electronics, signals and systems, embedded systems, and power electronics.
  • Relevant certifications or coursework (e.g., PCB design, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Altium training) are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronics Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Mechatronics
  • Applied Physics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–2 years (internship/co-op level); may include hands-on academic projects, maker/hobbyist experience, or prior lab assistant roles.

Preferred:

  • 1+ prior internship or co-op in an electronics/hardware development environment, documented project work with hardware prototypes, or demonstrated experience with PCB assembly, testing, or embedded firmware integration.
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