Electrical Engineering Intern (Fall 2025)

El Segundo, California

Company Overview:
Second Order Effects (SOE) is an engineering consulting firm that transforms uncertainty into fully functional hardware and software. We work on projects at all stages of development; we perform analysis, build prototypes, and take products to market. Our team solves high-impact problems across numerous industries, including automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, industrial automation, biomedical, and green energy. Our designs control rocket engines, manage satellite communications, instrument fusion reactors, and are enjoyed by consumers around the world. The only thing we won’t build is weapons.

Founded in 2016, Second Order Effects has 50+ employees (and counting!) in offices in El Segundo, California and Redmond, Washington. We've worked with >130 clients on > 300 projects as a partner, on retainer, or on demand.

How do we do this? We empower others, build the right thing, lead with curiosity, and own the outcome. Learn more at soeffects.com!

Job Overview:
As an Electrical Engineering Intern, you will play a hands-on role in designing, developing, and testing solutions for customer-facing projects. In this role, you will take technical ownership over key components, rapidly prototype ideas, and participate in the hardware development process from ideation to production. Whether it’s laying out a custom PCB, debugging firmware on a prototype board, or integrating embedded systems, you’ll have the opportunity to apply what you know—and quickly level up on what you don’t. This internship is designed to accelerate your technical growth, giving you the chance to make measurable contributions while building a strong foundation in professional engineering practices.

What You Will Do:

  • Ownership: Contribute to the design of electrical and embedded systems for customers across various industries 
  • Technical Mentorship: Partner closely with a mentor who will provide technical guidance, feedback, and support throughout the entire internship  
  • Hardware Development: Perform schematic capture, PCB layout, component selection, and electrical prototyping
  • Test & Validation: Utilize standard lab equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, etc.) to perform board bring-up, troubleshooting, and system-level debugging
  • Embedded Systems: Write and debug embedded C code or HDL (e.g., Verilog/VHDL)

What You Will Need:

  • Current enrollment in college (Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Math, or related field)
  • First or second year circuits classes and knowledge of electrical engineering fundamentals
  • Familiarity with at least one programming language (e.g., Python, C, C++, R, etc.) or hardware description language (e.g., Verilog, VHDL)
  • Demonstrated passion and curiosity for electrical engineering 
  • Strong problem-solving skills and initiative to overcome technical challenges 
  • Strong written and verbal technical communication skills; ability to explain design decisions and component selections
  • Experience with one or more of the following: analog circuits, mixed-signal designs, embedded programming, RF, power electronics, or optical systems development

What Would Be Useful:

  • Experience in team-based design and build projects (e.g., Formula SAE, Solar Car, CubeSat, Rover Challenge, etc.)
  • Experience with analog small-signal circuit design (filters, op-amp circuits, signal conditioning) and/or power electronics designs: regulators, load drivers, supply filters, protection circuitry
  • Experience in any common ECAD tool, such as Altium Designer, KiCad, Cadence, PADS, EAGLE, etc.
  • Experience with circuit simulation using LTspice, Pspice, or similar programs

Benefits:

  • Compensation range of $69,350-$69,850 
  • Flexible work hours and work from home policy 
  • 100% employer-paid health insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) for employees + 50% dependent coverage
  • Accrued paid time off policy, accrued sick days policy, and paid company holidays
  • 401(k) retirement account and employer matching (Safe Harbor 4%)
  • Housing stipend bonus 
  • Electric Vehicle (EV) charging ports
  • Daily catered lunches, snacks, and accessible kitchen

Additional Requirements: 

  • Applicants must be able to commit to an internship from Tuesday, September 2, 2025 to Friday, December 19, 2025
  • Applicant must be willing to work 40 hours a week on-site in El Segundo, California, USA
  • Applicant must be eligible to work on export controlled projects
  • Job Type: Full-time (Salary)

Export Control Requirements:

  • To conform with U.S. Government export control regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), 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. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship at this time.

If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply!
Second Order Effects is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SOE is governed on the basis of excellence and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

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