Software Engineer Intern - AI Enabled Software Development

Space Dynamics Laboratory’s (SDL) Strategic and Military Space (SMS) Division is seeking an undergraduate-level student to join its team for the summer in North Logan, Utah. The selected candidate will develop and refine software engineering skills while helping develop, improve, and maintain ground system web applications supporting space and national security missions. Interns will be paid a competitive hourly wage and tasked with varying duties based on current projects, needed support, and phase of development. SDL is particularly interested in students who are already incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into how they learn, develop software, and solve technical problems. Successful candidates may have experience using AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Codex, or similar tools, as well as academic, project, or practical experience with machine learning or AI technologies. The SMS Division delivers advanced satellite, sensor, and software systems that support defense and Intelligence Community missions. At SDL, interns join a team dedicated to applying modern technologies to challenging, real-world national security problems. This position has the potential for continued employment or transition to student/full-time employment requiring security clearance eligibility. This internship is for the Summer of 2027. SDL internships bring talented students from across the nation together for unique, high-quality professional opportunities while expanding SDL’s candidate pool. Utah State University (USU) students have access to a variety of year-round opportunities through SDL’s Student Employment program. These positions provide USU students with hands-on experience and professional development opportunities. USU students are not eligible for SDL internship positions and are encouraged to explore SDL’s Student Employment opportunities. ## Key Responsibilities - Write clean, consistent, maintainable, and well-documented code. - Implement, test, and maintain software for internal and external customers. - Use modern AI-assisted development tools to improve productivity, explore solutions, generate and review code, troubleshoot problems, and accelerate development. - Critically evaluate, test, and validate AI-generated code and technical outputs. - Collaborate with software engineers to improve existing ground system and web applications. - Assist in deploying, integrating, and testing software applications. - Explore opportunities to apply AI and machine learning techniques to software engineering and mission problems. - Document and regularly present work and technical findings. ## Required Qualifications - Currently pursuing a degree in computer science, computer engineering, computational physics, applied mathematics, engineering, data science, space science, or a related technical field. - Must be an undergraduate junior or senior student. - Minimum 3.0 GPA. - Programming experience in C#, C++, Python, TypeScript, or similar languages. - Experience using AI-assisted coding or software development tools. - Demonstrated ability to understand, evaluate, debug, and modify code, including code initially developed with AI assistance. - Experience with web application development, embedded development, or similar software projects. - Effective written and verbal communication skills. - Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. ## Preferred Qualifications - Coursework, projects, research, and/or practical experience involving artificial intelligence or machine learning. - Experience with Python and common AI/ML libraries or frameworks. - Experience developing applications that incorporate large language models (LLMs), APIs, agents, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), or other AI capabilities. - Experience using version control and collaborative software development tools. - Personal, academic, or team projects demonstrating creative application of AI or machine learning.Applicants who are unsure whether they meet every qualification are encouraged to apply. SDL is looking for curious, motivated students who enjoy solving difficult problems, learning new technologies, and finding effective ways to apply AI and software engineering to real-world challenges. SDL delivers advanced multi-domain solutions to protect national security and enable scientific discovery. Its expertise in satellites, sensors and instruments, ground systems and data processing, and autonomous systems plays a critical role in missions supporting NASA and the Department of Defense. SDL strives to uphold a culture of respect, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability. The team listens with open minds, seeks to understand diverse perspectives, engages in thoughtful dialogue, shares knowledge, involves others, offers support, and empowers team members to take ownership, act with integrity, and be accountable. The application window is expected to remain open for approximately seven days, but may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit applications promptly.