Software Engineering Intern with hardware experience

Job Description

About Company

Avicena is a privately held company founded in 2019 by leading technologists from the optical networking industry, with a track record of delivering breakthrough products. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and also has a development center in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Avicena is focused on developing revolutionary microLED-based ultra-low power, high-bandwidth interconnects for chip-to-chip communications. This technology is poised to transform several critical industries, including High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Cloud computing, as well as sectors where low-power interconnects are essential, such as camera sensors, autonomous vehicles, and aerospace. More information can be found on their website: www.avicena.tech.

Job Description: Software Engineering Intern with Hardware Experience

Avicena is seeking a Software Engineering Intern who possesses experience in hardware. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience across both hardware validation and software development disciplines. The intern will work closely with experienced engineers on a diverse range of tasks, contributing to the functionality and improvement of the company’s products.

Key Responsibilities

• Hardware Validation:
• Assisting in the validation and troubleshooting of various hardware components, including Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) and microcontrollers.
• Software Development:
• Developing software tools and scripts, primarily using Python, for the purpose of automating hardware validation processes, data collection, and subsequent analysis.
• Writing clean, maintainable, and efficient Python code specifically designed to interact with embedded systems and other devices.
• Creating intuitive Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for embedded systems.

Qualifications

• Education:
• Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related technical field.
• Technical Skills:
• Hardware Experience:
• Demonstrated hands-on experience using standard electronics tools such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and power supplies.
• A solid understanding of fundamental electronics concepts, including circuit design and signal analysis.
• Software Development:
• Proficiency in Python programming, particularly for tasks involving automation, data collection, and software testing.
• Experience with GUI development, utilizing frameworks like PyQt6, or similar alternatives such as Tkinter or Kivy.
• Communication Protocols:
• Familiarity with common communication protocols including SPI, I2C, UART, and related interfaces.
• Version Control:
• Comfortable using Git for version control, including understanding and executing branching, merging, and pull request operations.
• Other Skills:
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a knack for troubleshooting both hardware and software issues effectively.
• The capacity to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• A high degree of attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Preferred Qualifications (Not Required):
• Experience with embedded systems or microcontroller programming (e.g., using platforms like Arduino or Raspberry Pi).
• Knowledge of Linux-based operating systems and familiarity with command-line tools.
• Familiarity with other programming languages, such as C/C++.

What You’ll Gain

This internship offers a valuable opportunity to:

• Obtain hands-on experience in both software development and hardware validation.
• Be exposed to a wide array of advanced technologies and real-world engineering challenges.
• Receive mentorship from experienced engineers and find ample opportunities for professional growth.
• Contribute directly to projects that will have a tangible impact on the company’s products and customers.