Embedded Systems & Drone Security R&D Intern

Role overview In this fall/winter R&D internship, research and prototype identity and security capabilities for drones. You’ll take an embedded software concept from simulation toward a working hardware prototype, collaborating directly with a project lead and testing both simulated and physical systems.

Responsibilities - Configure drone simulations using PX4 or ArduPilot. - Develop and integrate software for drone identity, controller authentication, secure credential storage, and access control. - Test behavior in simulation and on hardware, including scenarios involving lost connectivity or failed authentication. - Record the design, experiments, code, and results in clear technical documentation.

Requirements - Hands-on drone or robotics development with PX4 or ArduPilot. - Proficiency with C/C++, Python, Linux, and Git. - Understanding of flight controllers, embedded systems, MAVLink, and interfaces such as UART, SPI, or I²C. - Strong troubleshooting and technical writing skills.

Nice to have - Software-in-the-loop or hardware-in-the-loop simulation experience. - Familiarity with STM32, RTOS, embedded Linux, or companion computers. - Experience with cryptographic identity, certificates, secure elements, secure boot, or credential provisioning. - Exposure to ROS 2, MAVSDK, or pymavlink.

Benefits and work setup - Fall/winter internship, remote or hybrid in the Greater Toronto Area. - Opportunity to work from simulation through hardware prototyping with direct project-lead collaboration.