Embedded Systems Intern at Terranova

Company Description

Backed by leading climate and American dynamism investors, Terranova builds intelligent robotic systems to terraform the Earth itself - lifting land, restoring wetlands, and protecting critical infrastructure from floods and sea-level rise.

Our mission is to preserve the built environment, create new habitats, and usher in an era of abundance. Our work supports climate resilience, disaster recovery, and defense across the United States and beyond.

We’re assembling a world-class team that wants to work on something real, physical, and civilization-scale. If you want your work to reshape the world (literally), this is the place to do it.

What to to Expect

Terranova seeks a embedded systems engineering intern for Spring 2027 to join our core engineering team. The ideal candidate has a passion for their craft and can go deep on design and analysis while maintaining a systems-level view across electrical, embedded, and controls disciplines. This person thrives in a startup environment - owning problems end-to-end, moving fast, and building machines that survive the real world.

You’ll lead projects from concept through field deployment: designing, analyzing, fabricating, and testing large-scale robotic systems that operate in the most demanding environments on Earth. Expect to be hands-on, spend long hours in the factory and in the field working alongside technicians and operators.

Key Responsibilities

Own aspects of electrical design, firmware, controls integration, and PCB design
Develop and debug embedded firmware in C/C++ for STM32/ESP32/RP2040 or similar
Design and review mixed-signal PCBs using KiCad/Altium.
Integrate sensors, radios, and power electronics with reliable, low-latency interfaces (I²C, SPI, UART, CAN).
Characterize and optimize power budgets, EMI performance, and manufacturability.
Bring-up, test, and validate hardware prototypes through DFM/DFT cycles.
Support system integration and field debugging of deployed robotic platforms.
Understand high power systems (150+ kW) and ensure safe design
Collaborate closely with electrical, controls, and field teams to deliver integrated, field-ready systems
Drive failure analysis, testing, and iterative improvement based on real-world data

Preferred Skills and Experience

Hands-on prototyping skills - you enjoy working in the shop - have built hobby projects - are a maker
LiDAR and Sensors
Experience in electromechanical controls - VFDs
Experience in high voltage AC power conversion systems and lithium batteries
STM32/ESP32/RP2040
C/C++ with FreeRTOS/Zephyr
KiCad/Altium PCB Design (Altium preferred)
Mixed-signal and power design
PCB and embedded systems design skills (Altium or equivalent)
Comfortable with the pace and intensity of early-stage startup life, including long days, 6-day workweeks, and extended field hours
Working towards a bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field
U.S. permanent residency required

Nice to Have Skills

CAD proficiency (OnShape, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or NX)
Familiarity with C++, Python, or similar for controls or simulation
Proven project management capabilities with multiple concurrent workstreams
Experience with compliance, HAZOP, and FMEA tools for machine safety

Compensation and Timeline

$25-35/hr + relocation + company perks
Spring Internship from January-May depending on your school schedule