HIL & System Validation Intern

Zoox’s internship program provides hands-on experiences with state of the art technology, mentorship from some of the industry's brightest minds, and the opportunity to play a part in our success. Internships at Zoox are reserved for those who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, activities outside their course work, aptitude, curiosity, and a passion for Zoox's mission.
As a HIL or System & Validation Intern, you may be assigned to one of the following teams:
On the HIL Platform Software team, you will work across the entire AI, sensor, and compute stacks, building robust validation tools for the Zoox Robot. In this role, you will help build tools that let us drive the Zoox robot from the safety of a server room,: providing a flexible, reliable, and high-performance test environment. Additionally, you will build a high-level understanding of the overall system design and component interaction to help guide requirements and methodology for functional and performance sign-off while providing support to teams using the framework.
On the Hardware Software Integration team, you will ensure various hardware subsystems work reliably on our vehicle platform on a day-to-day basis, and also ensure that the platform continues to grow in a manageable and sustainable fashion under evolving requirements. They’re responsible for prototyping and maintaining advanced hardware/software tools for system-level testing, and evaluating the vehicle hardware/software architecture and stability. We are looking for an intern who is excited to work in the intersection of hardware, software, and firmware. In this role, you may be called upon to do new product exploration, prototyping of hardware PCBA and systems, testing and characterization of hardware/software systems, as well as automation of tooling and processes.
On the Systems Integration team, you will develop automation and tests. This includes writing Python scripts, libraries, hardware interfaces, and tests (using standard and internal frameworks). You'll work closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Firmware, and Systems engineers to develop module, system, and hardware-in-the-loop tests. You will also develop automated test scripts for various technology domains, including CAN and Ethernet-based network devices.
Requirements

Currently working towards a B.S., M.S., Ph.D., or advanced degree in a relevant engineering program
Must be returning to school to continue your education upon completing this internship
Good academic standing
Able to commit to a 12-week internship beginning in May or June of 2026
At least one previous industry internship, co-op, or project completed in a relevant area
Ability to relocate to the Bay Area, California for the duration of the internship
Interns at Zoox may not use any proprietary information they are working on as part of their thesis, any published work with their university, or to be distributed to anyone outside of Zoox
Qualifications

Experience programming in Python and C++ in large code bases
Experience designing software and tooling
Experience with AI, autonomous behavior, modeling, simulation, vehicle platforms, and/or test engineering
Experience with issue reporting tools (e.g. Jira, Atlassian tools, Azure DevOps, etc.)
Experience with communication busses (e.g. CAN, ethernet, etc.)
Experience with version control systems (e.g. Git)
Experience with a business intelligence tool (e.g. Looker, Tableau)
Experience with Linux and Unix-based systems
Experience with CI/CD applications and best practices
Bonus Qualifications

Previous experience with robotics middleware
Compensation
The monthly salary range for this position is $5,500 to $9,500. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level of education. Additional benefits may include medical insurance, and a housing stipend (relocation assistance will be offered based on eligibility).
About Zoox
Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.
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Accommodations
If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to [email protected] or your assigned recruiter.
A Final Note
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.