Firmware Engineering Intern (June - August)

As a Firmware Engineering Intern at Exowatt, you will be responsible for developing and testing embedded firmware specifically for our solar thermal and Stirling engine control systems. This includes optimizing performance through the use of sensors and microcontrollers, assisting with debugging and troubleshooting to ensure software reliability, and contributing to the UI development for monitoring and control interfaces. You will also collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate your firmware work with hardware components.

To qualify for the Firmware Engineering Intern position at Exowatt, candidates should be pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with programming languages such as C/C++ and Python is essential, along with experience in embedded systems and microcontrollers like STM32 or Arduino. Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail are also key skills we look for to help ensure the success of our projects.

Exowatt is committed to providing its Firmware Engineering Interns with a supportive and enriching environment. Interns gain hands-on experience working with cutting-edge energy technologies and real-world projects that directly contribute to our mission. Our collaborative atmosphere encourages learning and growth, allowing interns to work alongside experienced professionals and receive mentorship throughout their internship.

For the Firmware Engineering Intern position at Exowatt, proficiency in programming languages such as C/C++ and Python is highly beneficial. Experience with these languages will allow you to effectively develop and test firmware for our embedded systems, facilitating stronger contributions to our technology initiatives in solar power solutions.

As a Firmware Engineering Intern at Exowatt, you will engage in projects that involve developing firmware for solar thermal controls and Stirling engines, optimizing embedded systems, and improving user interfaces for system monitoring. This hands-on experience in real-world projects allows you to apply your technical skills while directly contributing to our mission of making renewable energy more efficient and accessible.

In answering this question, highlight any coursework or projects that demonstrate your familiarity with embedded systems. Discuss specific microcontrollers you’ve worked with, like STM32 or Arduino, and elaborate on any coding you did in languages such as C/C++. Be sure to mention any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Explain that debugging is crucial for identifying and resolving errors in firmware that can affect system performance. Discuss techniques you have utilized in the past to debug software, such as print statements or using debuggers, and emphasize the importance of thorough testing in ensuring reliability.

Detail the practices you follow to write efficient and reliable code, such as adhering to coding standards, conducting peer reviews, and continuously testing your code as you develop it. Highlight any tools or methodologies you’ve applied, like unit testing or continuous integration.

Share any relevant experiences you've had working with data acquisition systems, including the types of sensors or hardware you've used. Explain how you integrated this data into your projects and the impact this had on performance outcomes.

Talk about specific projects where you were involved in UI development. Describe your role and contributions, the tools you used, and the overall impact of the UI on user experience. Discuss how you documented requirements and incorporated user feedback.

Discuss various optimization methods such as code refactoring, using efficient algorithms, and minimizing memory usage. Provide examples of when you successfully implemented these optimizations in your past projects and their effects on system performance.

Emphasize your openness to feedback as a learning opportunity. Talk about how you solicit feedback from peers or mentors and incorporate it into your work. Share a specific example where feedback helped improve your firmware development.

Provide a detailed example of a challenging issue you faced during the development of firmware, how you approached the problem, and the solution you implemented. Show how your problem-solving skills directly benefited the project.

Highlight the importance of clear and effective communication in a collaborative environment. Discuss how you interact with team members to gather requirements, share progress, or troubleshoot issues and your ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Share your passion for renewable energy and innovation, emphasizing how Exowatt’s mission aligns with your personal interests and career goals. Discuss what excites you about the intersection of technology and sustainability, and how you see yourself contributing to their mission.