Electrical Engineering Intern

At Areté, we are on the forefront of developing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth.

Discover your future with us.

We are seeking an undergraduate or graduate student with a strong background in Electrical Engineering. The successful candidate will join a staff of scientists and engineers that support the development of signal and image processing algorithms, software, and hardware. As part of our technical team, you will collaborate with experienced engineers across multiple disciplines, gaining exposure to the full product lifecycle—from defining system requirements and prototyping, to debugging, testing, and integration into larger operational systems. Details of the assignment are TBD based on current contractual needs. This role requires a passion for solving challenging technical problems in a collaborative environment. All work for this position will be carried out on-site at our Falls Church, VA office.

Qualities We Look For:

• Creativity and innovation in solving challenges
• Integrity and responsibility in all actions
• Collaboration across teams and specialties
• Responsiveness in fast-paced environments
• Passion for national security and excellence

Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills):

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelors/Master’s/PhD degree program in Electrical or Electronics Engineering
• Coursework or project experience in analog, digital, or power circuits.
• Exposure to the engineering development cycle through school projects or other internships.
• Familiarity with schematics, circuit boards, and basic technical documentation.
• A passion for electronics and technology with a strong desire to learn and grow.
• Comfort using basic lab equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, multimeters, etc.)

Nice to Have (Preferred Skills):

• Experience using Altium Designer (or similar tools) for PCB layout and schematic capture
• Hands-on work with Xilinx FPGAs and the Vivado/Vitis toolchains.
• Familiarity with harnesses, cables, and electrical connectors.
• Software development skills in languages such as Python, C/C++, MATLAB, etc.
• Active DoD security clearance.

The salary range for this role depends on the candidate’s level of experience:

• Undergraduate Student: $30/hr (currently enrolled in BS program)
• Graduate Student: $35/hr (currently enrolled in MS program)

However, Arete considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Other Considerations

Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration.

Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.

Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.

Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at for assistance.