Test Engineer Intern (Summer 2027)

About Andrenam We’re building sonar and sensing systems that bring light to the last dark domain: the ocean. Our team includes alumni from SpaceX, Anduril, ABL, Palantir and Qualia. We build full-stack—from physics to perception to product—with speed, elegance, and an unwavering commitment to the mission.

We believe the maritime domain will define the next century of economics, geopolitics, and global security. We're here to shape it.

About this role Andrenam is seeking a Test Engineer Intern to join our team and help get our systems from the lab into the water. This is a hands-on internship focused on testing, validating, and supporting deployments of the sensing and autonomy systems we operate in the ocean. A significant part of the work happens on the water, running tests off the boat.

You won't be sitting on the sidelines. You'll take on real, scoped work that supports our testing and field operations, work directly alongside the engineers who run them, and get regular feedback and mentorship as you go. You'll get real experience seeing how hardware holds up in harsh marine environments, and why.

We're looking for students who are hungry to learn, love building things, and want to be there when their work hits the water.

What you’ll do Testing and Validation:

• Help run pre-deployment checks and lab testing to make sure systems are ready before they go in the water.
• Run and support tests off the boat to validate how our systems perform in real ocean conditions.
• Own a scoped project, such as test tooling, fixtures, or procedures, that supports our operations.

Field Operations and Troubleshooting:

• Support deployment and recovery of our systems in coastal and open-water environments.
• Help diagnose electrical and mechanical issues in the lab and in the field.
• Report field findings back to the engineering team to inform design improvements.

Collaboration and Growth:

• Work closely with our engineers, taking feedback and iterating quickly.
• Share progress clearly and ask questions early.
• Document test procedures, configurations, and results so the team can build on your work after your internship.

Location Work full-time onsite from our Torrance, CA office with regular time on the water supporting testing and deployments off the boat.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, ocean engineering, mechatronics, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience through coursework, personal projects, or student engineering teams, with at least one project you can walk through in detail.
• Comfortable with basic lab tools like multimeters and hand tools.
• Prior boat experience and comfortable on the water in changing marine conditions.
• Strong problem-solving instincts and a willingness to dig into unfamiliar problems.
• Clear communication and a track record of working well with others.

Nice to have

• Experience testing or troubleshooting electrical, mechanical, or software systems in the field.
• Experience developing or working with test fixtures or harnesses for electrical or software systems.
• Experience on a student engineering team such as underwater robotics, SAE, or similar design-build competitions.
• Interest in maritime systems, autonomy, or defense technology.

Why join us? Andrenam is an innovative, mission-driven company at the intersection of maritime autonomy and defense. We offer:

• Competitive salary
• Lunch and snacks provided in office
• Access to a unique work environment, blending technology, maritime, and defense.

Salary Range $30-$40/hour

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Andrenam's total compensation package. Additionally, Andrenam offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including: medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Disclosures This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). You must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State without sponsorship for an export license. Andrenam is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.