City Scholars Intern - Spring 2026

OceanComm is the leader in wireless communication undersea, serving customers in defense, offshore energy and oceanographic research. Underwater, the wireless transfer of a single picture used to take an hour. We brought to market acoustic-wave-based wireless modems that can accomplish this 100 to 1000 times faster. Our wireless modems have the unique ability to livestream video — a game changer for exploring the underwater world. Undersea drones can now remain connected while roaming the ocean freely.

JOB SUMMARY

Join an expert team building cutting-edge undersea technology at the intersection of acoustics, signal processing, machine learning, embedded systems, and robotics. We're a hands-on shop where interns can explore across software (web / back-end), embedded / firmware (ARM, DSP, FPGA), and electronics (lab, bring-up, debug, soldering) — regardless of major. You'll pick a primary area and still have room to cross over. We'll match projects to your skills and curiosity. Many interns convert to full-time, and we actively hire new grads. This spring 2026 opportunity is exclusive to students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign participating in the City Scholars program. The role is part-time (20 hrs / week) and is designed to flow directly into our full-time summer internship.

Spring participation is contingent on a summer commitment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Participation in the Spring 2026 City Scholars program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Strong fundamentals (data structures / algorithms or circuits / digital / embedded)

Proficiency in at least one of : C, C++, or Python; comfort with Git and writing unit-tests

Strong communication and teamwork skills

Commitment : on-site Jan – May 2026 (20 hrs / week) and May – Aug 2026 (full-time)

Due to export-controlled work, candidates must be U.S. persons (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Substantial projects (repo or short write-up)

Understanding of machine learning fundamentals; knowledge of linear algebra (e.g. MATH 257, MATH 416) and signal processing (e.g. ECE 210, ECE 310)

Experience with web development (especially TypeScript / React / Vue)

Experience with ROV / AUV hardware / software (e.g. ROS2)

Experience with CAD / 3D printing

Familiarity with lab equipment (e.g. oscilloscopes, probes, debuggers)

Familiarity with device interfaces (e.g. Ethernet, CAN, I²C, SPI)

Familiarity with embedded development (e.g. bootloaders, drivers, RTOS, ECE 391)

Experience with FPGA / RTL (e.g. SystemVerilog, UVM, cocotb, ECE 385)

BENEFITS

Close mentorship and intensive training

Ownership of an impactful project (scoped in spring, built through summer)

End-of-summer demo day

Equal Opportunity Employer

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We require a copy of your university transcript to process your application. Please attach your transcript to your resume and upload them as a single file (an unofficial transcript is acceptable). If you apply here, you'll be automatically considered for the Summer 2026 posting —

no need to submit twice

Compensation : Spring $28 – $32 / hr.

Summer compensation is listed in our Summer 2026 posting.

Final rate within the posted range depends on interview performance, relevant projects / experience, and area placement; exceptional candidates are considered at the high end.