Robotics Software Engineering Intern - Space Robotics

Robotics Software Engineering Paid Internship — Astrobee **Arkisys Inc. | Marina del Rey / Los Alamitos, California | Part-Time Internship** Help us operate robots in space. Arkisys is seeking **graduate students and advanced undergraduate students in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or related technical disciplines** to support software development, testing, and operations for the **Astrobee robotic free-flyer system** . Astrobee is a NASA-designed robotic platform operating aboard the **International Space Station (ISS)** . Arkisys supports the continuing operation and commercial use of Astrobee, including ground testing, software development, mission preparation, and flight activities. This is an opportunity to work directly with real robotic hardware and software while contributing to the emerging fields of **in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM), autonomous spacecraft, and commercial space operations** . **Responsibilities** Interns may support activities including: * Develop, modify, integrate, and test **robotics software** * Work with **ROS 1** and real-time/embedded computing environments * Develop and test software using platforms such as **Raspberry Pi, Qualcomm Snapdragon, Arduino, and related embedded processors** * Support ground-based Astrobee testing at the **USC Space Engineering Research Center (SERC)** * Troubleshoot software, hardware/software interfaces, communications, and robotic behaviors * Support configuration management, software validation, and test documentation * Participate in ground-test and mission-operations activities associated with Astrobee * Work with engineers, researchers, faculty, and other students on new robotic capabilities and experiments **Qualifications** We are looking for candidates with some combination of: * Currently pursuing a **BS, MS, or PhD** in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field * Strong programming skills, preferably **C/C++, Python, or similar languages** * Experience with or understanding of **Linux-based software development** * Familiarity with **ROS / ROS 1** * Experience with embedded processors, microcontrollers, or **real-time operating systems (RTOS)** * Ability to debug software and hardware/software interfaces * Ability to work independently while contributing to a small technical team * Strong technical communication and documentation skills Eligibility Because of the technical nature of the work and applicable program/export-control requirements, **U.S.-person status is required for this opportunity.** **Location and Schedule** The primary work location is the **USC Information Sciences Institute / Space Engineering Research Center in Marina del Rey, California** , where Arkisys conducts ground testing of Astrobee using the SERC robotics and air-bearing facilities. Some activities may also take place at the **Arkisys facility in Los Alamitos, California** . * **Part-time:** up to approximately **20 hours per week** * **Start:** As soon as available * Candidates should be able to perform a meaningful portion of the work **on-site** , particularly for robotic integration and testing.