Embedded Software Engineer Intern — Lidar

Aurora Operations INC is hiring an Embedded Software Engineer Intern — Lidar in Bozeman, MT (on-site). When: Summer 2027. Pay stated by the employer: $52.00/hr. Posted October 1, 2026. Checked against the employer's posting on November 15, 2026.

Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly.

The Aurora Driver https://aurora.tech will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone.

At Aurora, you will tackle massively complex problems alongside other passionate, intelligent individuals, growing as an expert while expanding your knowledge. For the latest news from Aurora, visit aurora.tech http://aurora.tech or follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/auroradriver.

What we are looking for

We’re searching for an Embedded Software Engineering Intern to join the Lidar Software team in Bozeman, MT, reporting to the team’s Tech Lead Manager. Lidar Software owns all embedded development for Aurora’s FirstLight lidar: our internally developed frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) sensor that lets the Aurora Driver see and track objects farther, faster, and with greater precision than equivalent sensors on the market today. We are hiring an intern because our next-generation sensor is ramping into production, and we need to grow both the sensor firmware and the Python tooling that manufacturing, calibration, and qualification depend on. You will ship code that runs on real sensors on real hardware benches, alongside the engineers who designed them.

In this role you will

- Develop and test C++ firmware features for Aurora’s FirstLight lidar sensor, running on an embedded Linux FPGA system-on-chip platform

- Build and extend Python tools that analyze sensor manufacturing and calibration data and generate the reports used to accept sensors on the production line

- Bring up and debug software against real sensor hardware in the lab, using the sensor’s logging, health monitoring, and debug interfaces to root-cause issues

- Write automated unit and hardware-in-the-loop tests so new sensor features and tools stay reliable in continuous integration

- Work with firmware, FPGA, optics, and manufacturing engineers to turn test-station and fleet observations into software fixes and diagnostics

Required qualifications

- Currently pursuing a BS or MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field, and returning to a degree-granting program after the internship

- Proficiency in Python, including scripting for automation and data analysis

- Working knowledge of modern C++ from coursework or project experience

- Experience developing software in a Linux environment, including the shell, a build system, and Git

- Demonstrated ability to debug software that interacts with hardware, through coursework, personal projects, or a prior internship in embedded systems or robotics

Desirable qualifications

- Exposure to embedded Linux (Yocto) or a real-time operating system such as FreeRTOS

- Familiarity with Bazel, GDB, continuous integration, and code review workflows

- Python data tooling such as NumPy, pandas, matplotlib, and Protocol Buffers

- Experience with FPGA system-on-chip platforms (AMD/Xilinx Zynq or Versal) or hardware interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, and GPIO

- Coursework or projects in signal processing, optics, or sensing technologies such as lidar or radar

Compensation

The hourly pay rate for this internship in Mountain View is:

- $52.00 per hour for interns pursuing a bachelor’s degree; and

- $58.00 per hour for interns pursuing a master’s degree

The hourly pay rate for this internship in Bozeman is:

- $47.00 per hour for interns pursuing a bachelor’s degree; and

- $52.00 per hour for interns pursuing a master’s degree

Working at Aurora

At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together — all without any jerks.

We believe in-person work increases collaboration, empathy, and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, Aurorans are expected to work from the office at least 3 days per week, with some roles requiring more frequent in-office presence, up to 5 days per week, based on operational needs.

Our Careers page https://aurora.tech/careers provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom https://aurora.tech/newsroom.

Our commitment to safety

At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best-in-class self-driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization’s long-term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.

Our commitment to inclusion

Aurora considers candidates without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, parent or caregiver status, ancestry, political affiliation, veteran and/or military status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. Aurora considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at careersiteaccommodations@aurora.tech.

For California applicants, information collected and processed as part of your application and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Aurora’s California Employment Privacy Policy.