Software Engineer Test Engineer - Intern 2025

As a Software Engineer Test Engineer Intern at Apptronik, your primary responsibilities will include developing control, planning, perception, and autonomy algorithms, alongside integrating software with hardware systems. You'll work closely with a talented team to contribute to the advancement of humanoid robots capable of operating in unstructured environments and performing valuable tasks. Additionally, you'll be involved in testing and refining algorithms on both simulation and real robot platforms.

To qualify for the Software Engineer Test Engineer Intern position at Apptronik, candidates must be undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in an accredited program within the United States. A solid foundation in Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering is essential. Experience in software and algorithm development for robotics and proficiency in C++ within a Linux environment is also important, accompanied by a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Candidates for the Software Engineer Test Engineer Intern role at Apptronik should be proficient in C++ in a Linux development environment and also ideally familiar with other programming languages such as Python, C, or C#. Experience with robotics frameworks and libraries such as ROS, Ignition Gazebo, and others are valuable assets in this role.

The Software Engineer Test Engineer Intern position at Apptronik is expected to start around May/June 2025 and will last for a minimum of 10 weeks, continuing through August/September 2025. Interns can expect to work up to 40 hours per week, typically during standard business hours from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Apptronik seeks Software Engineer Test Engineer Interns who are creative, humble, and possess strong integrity. Curiosity, analytical skills, and discipline are also valued attributes. The ability to work collaboratively within a team and communicate effectively is crucial for success in this role as you contribute to innovative robotics solutions.

In your response, highlight specific projects where you used C++ for robotics applications. Discuss how you implemented algorithms or worked on software that integrates with hardware. Be sure to mention any challenges faced and how you successfully overcame them, showcasing your problem-solving skills.

Discuss the specific robotics frameworks and libraries you've utilized, such as ROS or Ignition Gazebo. Provide examples of how you applied them in projects, focusing on the impact they had on your work and any notable achievements or lessons learned from using these tools.

Choose a relevant technical challenge you've faced in software engineering or robotics, explaining the context and the steps taken to resolve it. Focus on your analytical approach, collaboration with teammates, and any innovative solutions you implemented, demonstrating your capability to tackle complex issues.

Describe your coding practices and testing strategies. Discuss your use of documentation, unit tests, and debugging tools. Mention any experience you have with continuous integration (CI) tools like Git and how you implement quality assurance measures in your coding process.

Provide an overview of control algorithms relevant to robotics, such as PID controllers or model predictive control. Share any experience you have in implementing these algorithms, discussing how they improve the performance of robotic systems and any successful applications you've engaged in.

Explain your methods for staying informed about the latest trends, technologies, and research in robotics. Mention specific resources such as academic journals, online courses, conferences, or community forums that you follow to continually expand your knowledge and skills in the field.

Discuss a specific team project in which you played a key role, outlining your responsibilities and contributions. Emphasize the importance of collaboration, communication, and how the overall team's efforts led to successful outcomes, exhibiting soft skills alongside your technical capabilities.

Elaborate on your hands-on experience with hardware integration, discussing any robotics projects where you interfaced software with hardware components. Mention specific systems or sensors you've worked with, highlighting any challenges you faced and how you addressed them during the integration process.

Share your strategies for debugging multithreaded systems, emphasizing the tools and techniques you use. Discuss how you identify synchronization issues, race conditions, or deadlocks, and provide examples of situations where your debugging skills led to successful resolutions.

Articulate your vision for your career in robotics and software engineering. Outline your aspirations, whether in research, development, or project management, and express your motivation to contribute to innovative robotic solutions that positively impact society.