Hardware Engineering Internship, Aurora
Summer 2026
$49.00 - $58.00 per hour depending on degree level
More information about location
Office located in Mountain View, CA
Self-driving technology company
Be an early applicant
Self-driving technology company
1001+ employees
Be an early applicant
$49.00 - $58.00 per hour depending on degree level
More information about location
Office located in Mountain View, CA
1001+ employees
Company mission
To deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly.
Role
Who you are
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline, such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field
- Returning to a degree-granting program after the internship concludes (Summer/Fall 2026)
- Prior experience or coursework in at least one of the following areas: hardware design, embedded systems, robotics, mechanical design, thermal analysis, controls, power electronics, sensor technologies (like Lidar or Radar), or data analysis (Python, SQL)
What the job involves
- We’re searching for Summer 2026 Interns for our Hardware Teams in MountainView, CA, Pittsburgh, PA, & Bozeman, MT
- Our Hardware Engineering organization is fundamental to the development of the Aurora Driver - our revolutionary self-driving technology. Our work spans mechanical and electrical engineering, computer science, product strategy, R&D, ongoing service, and more
- The Aurora Driver is a complex system comprising a primary computer, the Aurora Control Interface (ACI), multiple sensors (like lidar), and various vehicle peripherals. Our teams are responsible for packaging these components into various platforms to meet our rigorous performance, reliability, and safety expectations
- To engineer this novel design, the Hardware team works closely with cross-functional internal teams and external partners, using data and analysis to inform our physical products
- We are seeking interns for multiple teams across our Hardware Engineering organization. While the exact team will be determined through the interview and matching process, based on your skills and interests, here are some of the areas you could contribute to:
- Lidar: Join our team and help develop cutting-edge autonomous navigation by working on lidar and advanced sensor technologies
- Hardware Systems Engineering: Interested in solving problems that span across multiple domains within hardware engineering (electrical, mechanical and embedded software) through rapid prototyping of hardware architecture solutions on various system boundaries (eg. power, networking, by wire control etc). The role will involve use of data processing techniques using Python and SQL to analyze and interpret test data
- Hardware Product Engineering: The HPE team designs, analyzes, and validates all mechanical, electrical, thermal and optical components in the Aurora Driver -- from initial concept to final vehicle integration. This team is responsible for the full range of hardware products - including computers, controllers, sensors, and lidars - ensuring their integrity and performance through rigorous analysis and testing
- Embedded Software: Our Embedded Software team creates applications for the multitude of custom hardware devices designed by our electrical engineers. We employ (and sometimes define) state-of-the-art development techniques to create robust, reliable systems with amazing levels of safety and performance
Application process
- We are hiring for the Hardware Engineering organization broadly, not for one specific team. Through the interview process, we will get to know you, your experience, and your career goals. This allows us to narrow down exact teams and make the best possible match with your interests and skills, ensuring you have a valuable and impactful internship experience
- We look forward to reviewing your application!
Our take
In spite of emerging from stealth mode in 2018, Aurora is making strong waves in the flurry of startups racing to develop fully autonomous vehicles. Aurora’s hardware and software developments have focused historically on self-driving trucks, which it expects to launch commercially in 2024.
It recently named Ossa Fisher as its new President, who will focus on scaling operations ahead of this commercial launch. Passenger cars and associated services are expected to roll out following this launch. However, the self-driving industry is riddled with unmet deadlines, cash shortfalls, and tough technological challenges.
To remain competitive with deep-pocket industry giants like Tesla and Google’s Waymo, the company continues to land substantial backing from the likes of Sequoia Capital, accelerating its post-IPO growth. The pedigree of its founders may well continue to win over investor confidence. It boasts leading prior positions in the self-driving divisions of Tesla, Uber, and Google.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
8% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 3 rounds)
Dec 2020
$400m
GROWTH EQUITY VC
Feb 2019
$600m
SERIES B
Total funding: $1.1bn
Company benefits
- Choice of regional HMO options, PPO options, and high deductible plans, with the option to contribute to a health savings account (HSA). If you choose a high deductible health plan, Aurora will make employer contributions to your HSA
- Comprehensive dental coverage and access to a nationwide provider network
- Coverage for vision exams, glasses, contacts, discounts for LASIK, and other vision services through a nationwide provider network
- In-office lunches, snacks, and drinks available
- GymPass offers on-demand virtual classes (fitness, yoga, strength, and more), well-being coaching, and budget management. Discount on nationwide gym memberships
- Headspace offers access to guided sessions that focus on everything from stress to relationships, anxiety, and sleep
- SoFi. Refinance your home, student and personal loans
- Fetch offers discounts on pet insurance
- PerkSpot offers discounts on vacations, car rentals, and entertainment
- Access support services to help with your family planning journey including fertility care, adoption, and surrogacy. Reimbursement of $20,000 lifetime benefit
- Save for your future with Aurora’s 401(k) Plan. Pre-tax and Roth contribution options are available
- 24/7 access to online resources and unlimited phone consultations for stress, grief counseling, depression, and relationship conflicts (personal and professional), and limited in-person sessions
- Set aside pre-tax money to pay for qualified transit and commuter benefits
- Cigna travel accident insurance provided for business travel
- LinkedIn Learning is an e-learning resource to support professional development. Aurora Academy is an internal learning and development program designed to up-level our team by teaching skills that are essential to Aurora’s mission
- Modern Health is a mental wellness benefit that includes 14 sessions with a certified coach and 12 sessions with a therapist, if needed. Unlimited access to live provider- lead community circles, digital mediation, and more
- Flexible/reasonable vacation for salaried employees; accrual of 20 vacation days per year for non-exempt employees, 11 paid company holidays per year, and reasonable sick time to stay home, rest, and get better
- Network of employee-led groups that represent Aurorans, organized by cultural identity or collaborative purpose
- Aurora provides all new parents and caregivers 18 weeks of coordinated pay and time off for the birth or placement of a child. Up to 4 weeks of paid medical leave for your own personal illness or injury, or to care for a sick family member
- Set aside pre-tax money to pay for healthcare and dependent daycare expenses using FSA plans
- Company-paid premiums for life insurance (2x salary up to $500,000). Voluntary life & AD&D coverage for you and your dependents is available. Short-term disability benefits are 60% weekly benefit up to a max of $2,500 after a short waiting period. Long-term disability benefits are 60% of monthly salary to $10,000 after a waiting period. Option to enroll in voluntary life/AD&D insurance
- 24/7 access to Unum’s worldwide emergency travel assistance services for personal travel
Company HQ
Mountain View, CA
Leadership
Chris Urmson
(CEO)They have a PhD in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon, and worked as a robotics research scientist at SAIC. They were CTO of Self-Driving Cars at Google.
Sterling Anderson
(CPO)They received a PhD in Robotics from MIT before co-founding Gimlet Systems. They were an Engagement Manager at McKinsey and Director of Autopilot Programs at Tesla.
Drew Bagnell
(Chief Scientist)They hold a Robotics PhD from Carnegie Mellon, where they are also an Associate Professor. They were Autonomy Architect and Perception Lead at Uber Advanced Technology Center. Held the position of CTO at Aurora for over 3 years.
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