Iridium Software Engineering Internship – Summer 2027
Iridium Satellite· Telecommunications· Oct 1, 2026 · 27d ago
McLean, VA, United States · Tempe, AZ, United States · Leesburg, VA, United States · Chandler, AZ, United States
Hybrid
Internship
Intern
$31/hr
Job description
Iridium is an award-winning satellite communications company operating the world's only truly global voice and data network, delivering reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth. For more than 20 years, Iridium has powered mission-critical communications for governments, businesses, aviation, maritime, and the rapidly expanding Internet of Things.
Now part of Iridium, Aireon is the world’s only space-based air traffic surveillance system, providing real-time visibility of aircraft over oceans, the poles, and remote regions. Together, Iridium and Aireon are helping build a safer, more connected, and more efficient future for global aviation.
Join our team and help shape how the world stays connected. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where employees are empowered to innovate, grow professionally, and make a meaningful impact.
What We’re Looking For:
The Iridium Internship Program provides students the opportunity to support teams driving the future of satellite communications. Interns in Software Engineering gain hands-on experience developing, testing, and deploying software that powers Iridium’s satellite network, ground systems, and global products and services. You’ll collaborate with engineers and technical staff to design tools, automate processes, and build applications that enhance performance, reliability, and efficiency across Iridium’s network and connected products and solutions.
As an Intern, you’ll begin making an impact on real projects from day one! Come prepared to grow, develop, and learn alongside a team and the leaders of our company. The Iridium Internship program is a 11-week program that runs from May 17, 2027 to July 30, 2027.
What You’ll Do:
Projects are aligned with your academic background, technical interests, and the needs of our teams, and may include:
• Developing new software features and services, and maintaining or enhancing existing applications and libraries.
• Assisting with architecture, design, coding, testing, and documentation within an Agile/Scrum team.
• Participating in daily stand-ups, sprint planning, backlog refinement, and sprint reviews.
• Gathering requirements and collaborating with stakeholders to design effective solutions.
• Ensuring software meets quality standards through unit and integration testing.
• Maintaining and extending key applications, including GUI frameworks, web applications, and Python/C++ utilities for data management and analysis.
• Developing scripts, simulators, or software tools using Python, Java, or C to support testing and analysis.
• Assisting with simulation, emulation, and verifying performance across Iridium satellite devices and transceivers.
• Participating in code reviews and contributing to automation frameworks for Iridium services and devices.
• Developing scalable, high-performance software and leveraging open-source solutions where appropriate.
Skill You'll Gain:
• Hands-on experience developing software that supports Iridium’s satellite communications system and services.
• Knowledge of object-oriented programming and the full software development lifecycle.
• Exposure to RF design, simulation, and evaluation processes.
• Experience collaborating with team members to implement, build, verify, and troubleshoot software.
• Exposure to modern development tools and workflows, including Jira, GitLab, and Confluence.
• Understanding and application of software engineering best practices to create reliable, maintainable code.
• Understanding how products and services are conceptualized, evaluated, and transitioned into operational functionality.
• Participation in an Agile/Scrum development team working with Python, C, C++, and Java.
What You’ll Need to Succeed:
• Interest in software development, product development, and a strong foundation in software engineering concepts, including object-oriented programming, data structures, and algorithms.
• Strong work ethic, positive attitude, and professional demeanor.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality results.
Things You Must Bring to the Table:
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or graduate degree program at an accredited academic institution.
• Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or Data Science/Applied Mathematics preferred.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Must be able to work in person at an Iridium location.
Work Environment:
This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.
We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium’s Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least four days per week (approximately 80%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.
Additional Information
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.
The hourly pay rate for this position is $31/hr.
Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
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