Automation & Controls Engineering Intern

About Oceanus

Oceanus Maritime Technologies is building the operating platform for the modern maritime world.

Global trade runs on ships, and we’re redefining what’s possible at sea by leveraging modern technology.

We’re a small, hands-on team based in El Segundo building full-stack systems that perform in real operating conditions across vessels, ports, and fleets. We focus on practical, deployable technology that brings safety oversight, automation, and coordination to complex maritime environments.

Our founding team previously built and operated SpaceX’s Autonomous Spaceport Droneships, which are among the most advanced autonomous maritime systems ever deployed. Today, we work with leading U.S. operators to bring that same rigor and systems thinking to the next generation of maritime infrastructure.

About the Role

We’re hiring an Electrical Engineering Intern for the Summer or Fall term. Summer internships begin in June, and Fall internships begin in September, with a preferred commitment of 4 to 8 months.

As an Electrical Engineering Intern, you’ll work on initiatives that improve how vessels are powered, instrumented, connected, and operated. You’ll help solve complex engineering problems across electrical design, embedded hardware, power distribution, sensing, and system integration.

This role sits at the intersection of electrical engineering, embedded systems, and real-world deployment. You’ll contribute to the design and integration of systems that connect sensors, compute, networking, power, and control infrastructure onboard operational vessels.

Our size allows interns to take on meaningful ownership. You’ll work on interdisciplinary projects that move quickly from idea to implementation. Our philosophy is simple: build and test in days or weeks, not months.

Because of this, a portfolio or evidence of hands-on building is required to apply. Show us circuits, embedded systems, robotics, hardware projects, competition work, or experiments that reflect strong engineering fundamentals, execution, and curiosity.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, integration, and testing of onboard electrical systems

• Support development of power distribution, sensing, networking, and embedded hardware infrastructure

• Assist with electrical schematics, wiring layouts, harnessing, and system documentation

• Support bring-up, integration, debugging, and validation of deployed hardware systems

• Work with sensors, compute hardware, networking equipment, and control interfaces

• Participate in structured testing and troubleshooting in lab and field environments

• Collaborate closely with software, controls, mechanical, and systems engineers

• Help improve system reliability, serviceability, and deployment readiness

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field

• Strong evidence of hands-on building experience (clubs, personal projects, internships, research, competition teams, or equivalent)

• Familiarity with electrical systems, embedded hardware, or electromechanical systems

• Comfortable working close to hardware, debugging real systems, and getting hands-on with physical integration

• Ability to move quickly, make progress with incomplete information, and take ownership

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Familiarity with sensors, power electronics, low-voltage electrical systems, or hardware interfaces

• Experience with wiring, harnessing, connectors, or hardware bring-up

• Familiarity with circuit or device level communication protocols (CAN, UART, SPI, I2C, TCP/IP, UDP, Modbus, etc.)

• Experience with embedded systems or microcontrollers

• Experience with robotics, automotive, aerospace, industrial systems, or hardware startups

• Interest in maritime systems, autonomy, embedded systems, or heavy industry

• Experience with schematic capture and PCB design tools (Altium, KiCad, or similar)

Work Environment

• On-site with the team at our office in El Segundo, CA

• Comfortable working around industrial equipment and shipboard machinery

• 40-50 hr standard work week

Compensation and Benefits

Interns for this role are paid an hourly rate of $38/hr - $46/hr depending on experience and education level. Internships include up to 10 hours of pre-approved weekly overtime, paid at 1.5x the base hourly rate. Actual earnings will vary depending on internship length and hours worked.

Internship benefits:

• Housing stipend to help with first month expenses

• Fully stocked kitchen and catered lunch every day

• Flex paid time off and company holidays

• Onsite EV charging

• 401(k) traditional and roth options

• Additional perks that support your health, growth, and well-being

Why Oceanus, Why Now

Maritime operations are at the edge of a revolution. New connectivity and compute are finally unlocking remote monitoring, autonomy, and digitization.

Regulatory, economic, and geopolitical pressure is accelerating technology adoption, and U.S.-aligned infrastructure is more valuable than ever.

Oceanus is building on hard-won operational experience, including work on autonomous maritime systems supporting missions like SpaceX droneships, and have deep operator engagement with strong product-market alignment.

You will help form the technical core of a team transforming an industry that quite literally moves the world.