Student Trainee (Engineer)

The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences is seeking bright, innovative, results-oriented individuals to join our Pathways Internship Program (IP). The Pathways Internship Program (IP) targets students accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program (diploma, certificate, etc.) in an accredited/qualifying educational institution, on a full- or half-time basis. (Applicants who do not meet the definition of “student” will not be considered). Internships can be seasonal (spring, summer, fall) or year-round. At the successful conclusion of this program, you may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a Federal career or career-conditional position. Interns may work full-time while on academic breaks or part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while attending school.

The Internship Program under the Pathways Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in Federal agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and getting paid for work performed. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service. Interns may work full-time or part-time schedules.

Duties: 

The selectee will serve as a Student Trainee in the electrical or computer engineering field assisting senior computer and electronics engineers. This position entails a variety of opportunities including:

For electrical engineering interns: Duties will include assisting technical staff in measurements of radiowave propagation, assessment of over-the-air radio frequency transmissions, or evaluation of systems’ susceptibility to interference. Student trainees will work with senior engineers to configure measurement system hardware, configure systems for instrument control, conduct measurements in both field and lab environments, and post-process and analyze data. Prior course work in electromagnetics or fields and waves and experience with Matlab® or software defined radios is desired. Students will apply established methods, tests, procedures, and techniques, and recording actions and results. Applicants will be working in a team-based environment, where they will meet regularly to provide status updates. It is expected that applicants will be able to adapt their knowledge to additional tasks.

For computer engineering interns: Duties will include implementing complex mathematical algorithms; developing, validating, and verifying of software implementations; solving radio frequency and electro-magnetic problems, in a team with senior electrical and computer engineers. Interns will be responsible for computer software programming development, testing, and documentation and applying engineering methods and techniques on communication systems. Applicants will be working in a team-based environment, where they will meet regularly to provide status updates. Proficiency in modern programming concepts is preferred and it is expected that applicants will be able to adapt their knowledge to additional tasks.