Electrical Engineer Intern (Summer 2026) at Northwood in Torrance, CA

Summary: Northwood is on a mission to transform connectivity between earth and space through innovations in space communications technologies. They are seeking an Electrical Engineering Intern to support the development of high-speed printed circuit boards for their digital backend, contributing to projects focused on reliability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness in engineering. Responsibilities: - Assist in the design of PCBs for high-speed digital communication systems, including RF and mixed-signal components - Support the layout and setup of FPGAs, microcontrollers, and related peripherals - Collaborate with RF, antenna, and DSP/FPGA engineers to enhance system performance and design - Contribute to schematic design and layout, as well as board bring-up and validation - Work alongside suppliers to help optimize component selection for performance and cost - Test prototypes and evaluate performance both in the lab and in real-world environments - Participate in analyzing system performance to guide future improvements Required Qualifications: - Working toward a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field - Coursework or projects related to PCB design, digital communication systems, or high-speed data transfer - Familiarity with PCB design tools (e.g., Altium, Cadence) and understanding of PCB layout - Interest in learning about low-noise design and EMI/EMC reduction techniques - Basic understanding of PCB materials, signal integrity, and high-speed communication interfaces - Strong communication and teamwork skills - Eagerness to work in a fast-paced startup environment and to learn from experienced engineers - To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State Preferred Qualifications: - Skills in soldering and PCB rework are a plus - Basic programming skills in C, C++, or Python are a plus Required Skills: PCB design, Digital communication systems, High-speed data transfer, PCB layout, Altium, Cadence, Low-noise design, EMI/EMC reduction, PCB materials, Signal integrity, High-speed communication interfaces, Soldering, PCB rework, Programming - C, Programming - C++, Programming - Python Internship Start Date: Start in 2026 Summer Benefits: $4,000 housing stipend, Lunch/dinner catered daily