Technical Intern - Software/Firmware Engineer

Company Overview: New Ascent is a hybrid Aerospace-EdTech business operating out of Crofton, Maryland. Our mission is to accelerate the expansion of Off-World economies by deploying rapid and affordable space transportation and exploration systems, engaging the next generation around space industry opportunities, and approaching business in a way that reminds people to occasionally look up and take a minute to think about "Where WE Go, Next." New Ascent Aerospace has developed technologies for various elements of High Impulse Launch systems: Ground-Based Launchers, Hypersonic Ascent Vehicles, and g-Ruggedized payloads like ChipSats. Recently, we have begun pursuing business opportunities related to using these technologies to provide resource prospecting services for Off-World bodies that include the Moon, Mars, and asteroids. New Ascent Education's MISSION: SubSpace is a broadcaster-led, virtual portal-driven, in-classroom mission experience around the launch and atmospheric descent of ChipSats. We work closely with a 501(c)(3) non-profit started by our founders, Space Explorers for Education, to provide aerospace-related STEM tools, experiences, and support for K-12 education worldwide.

Job Description: New Ascent's college technical internship program is designed to provide students with a meaningful, hands-on introduction to careers in the space technology sector while advancing company initiatives. Our overall goals are: Provide interns with a positive and professional working experience in the space industry Tailor project-based assignments to each intern's field of study that helps them translate classroom knowledge into valuable engineering work products Build confidence and interest that encourages long-term participation in the aerospace workforce New Ascent is seeking a Software/Firmware Engineering Intern to: Support activities for aerospace prototypes and Off-World Resource Prospecting Test Beds, including development of software and firmware for ChipSats, rover/drone subsystems, mission operations tools, and other test bed related platforms Assist with embedded code development, sensor data handling, communications interfaces, and control logic Contribute to software testing, debugging, simulation, and documentation Help develop scripts or tools for data analysis, automation, and visualization Contribute to engineering reviews, team meetings, and status updates

Note: This internship is supported by funding from the Maryland Lighthouse Industries and AI Internship Program and some of the items below are requirements of the program. Enrolled or within two years of graduation from a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate Degree Program in a technical field Undergraduate candidates should have completed or expect to be complete with their Junior year of study by the internship start date Enrolled in and attending a Maryland institution of higher education and/or a Maryland resident GPA of 3.0 or better in relevant technical coursework Experience Requirements Current undergraduate or graduate student in software engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a closely related field Coursework or project experience in areas such as programming, embedded systems, firmware, data structures, robotics, or controls Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, C, C++, or similar

Preferred: experience with microcontrollers, sensor interfacing, simulation tools, data visualization, and Git/version control Role Logistics

Projected Start Date: Late May / Early June

Projected End Date: Mid / Late August Flexible work hours with a minimum of 32 hours/week

Minimum Total Hours: 400 hours Physical Location of the Work: New Ascent's Crofton, MD Office Hybrid work environment; two mandatory in-office days per week, typically Tuesday and Friday Periodic travel to New Ascent's BaySTAR Test Range on Maryland's Eastern Shore