Firmware Engineering Intern - (Baton Rouge, LA/Frederick, MD)

Bascom Hunter is seeking a Firmware Engineering Intern to support the development, integration, and testing of low-level software and firmware for aerospace and defense electronics. The intern will work closely with electrical, embedded software, FPGA, and systems engineers to develop firmware that interfaces directly with processors, microcontrollers, FPGAs, and other electronic hardware.

This position provides hands-on experience throughout the firmware development lifecycle, including hardware bring-up, coding, integration, debugging, testing, and documentation. Bascom Hunter provides custom solutions to the Department of Defense and aerospace markets, with capabilities spanning advanced electronics, communications, RF systems, environmental control, thermal management, power, and other mission-critical technologies.

Key Responsibilities

Assist in the design, development, integration, and testing of firmware for aerospace and defense electronic systems. Write, debug, test, and optimize low-level software using C, C++, or other applicable programming languages. Support firmware development for microcontrollers, microprocessors, FPGAs, and other programmable devices.

Assist with board bring-up, hardware initialization, and hardware/firmware integration. Develop and test device drivers, board support packages, bootloaders, and other low-level firmware components. Implement and troubleshoot communication interfaces and protocols such as SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, GPIO, or similar interfaces.

Support firmware interfaces with sensors, converters, memory devices, FPGAs, and other electronic components. Use laboratory and debugging equipment to troubleshoot firmware and hardware interactions. Develop test software and scripts to support firmware verification and automated testing. Participate in design reviews, code reviews, integration activities, and technical meetings.

Collaborate with electrical, FPGA, embedded software, and systems engineers to support integrated product development. Assist with laboratory testing, data collection, troubleshooting, and analysis. Develop and maintain technical documentation, including firmware requirements, design documentation, test procedures, and reports.

Learn and apply industry-standard configuration management, coding, verification, and documentation practices.

Qualifications

Pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. Experience programming in C or C++. Basic understanding of digital electronics, computer architecture, and hardware/software interfaces. Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience programming microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other embedded devices. Familiarity with FPGA-based systems and FPGA/processor interfaces. Familiarity with SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, GPIO, or similar interfaces. Experience with device drivers, bootloaders, or board support packages. Familiarity with bare-metal or real-time operating system (RTOS) development.

Experience with debugging tools such as JTAG debuggers, oscilloscopes, or logic analyzers. Experience with Git or other version control and configuration management tools. Familiarity with Linux or embedded Linux environments. Python or other scripting experience for test and automation. Previous internship, research, laboratory, project team, or other relevant technical experience.

This is a paid internship opportunity with both full-time and part-time schedules available. Summer interns typically work full-time, with opportunities for part-time work during the academic year based on business needs and intern availability. Start and end dates are flexible based on the intern's academic schedule.

The internship provides the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working on real aerospace and defense engineering programs and may provide a pathway to future employment opportunities with Bascom Hunter. Equal Employment Opportunity Information: Bascom Hunter is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote without regard to race, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability/veteran, status as a protected veteran, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local law.

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