Electrical Engineering Intern
MicroCatalyst
Location: Salida, CO or Remote
Job Type: Paid Internship (Full-Time or Part-Time)
When: Summer 2025, with the potential to extend
About Us
MicroCatalyst is a mission-driven, deep tech stealth startup focused on next-gen chemical and energy systems. Our work and tech sits at the cutting edge of biomimetic innovation, decarbonization, automation, and AI. We’re pioneering, testing, and commercializing hardware systems and software to drive breakthrough performance in areas like e-fuels, electrochemical conversion, low-carbon process engineering and general chemistry.
MicroCatalyst welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. If you find our work intriguing, then please apply even if you don’t feel you meet all the requirements listed below. We'd love to hear from you.
Position Overview
We seek a highly motivated Electrical Engineering Graduate Student (or recent grad) to join our team as a Research Intern. You’ll be deeply involved in experimental development of microfluidic systems critical to our core technology.
This is a hands-on R&D role ideal for someone who loves solving physical system problems, building and testing new designs, and working at the intersection of engineering, chemistry, and sustainability.
If you are an undergraduate with relevant skills and interest, we encourage you to apply.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, prototype, and iterate on microelectronic systems, including PCB-based circuits, ICs, or MEMS devices for sensing, power, or signal processing applications.
- Develop embedded control architecture and firmware for microfluidic systems
- Conduct lab-based testing of semiconductor devices, embedded systems, or sensors (e.g., characterization with oscilloscopes, probe stations, or spectrum analyzers).
- Analyze circuit signal integrity and power efficiency through simulations and testing
- Develop, test, and validate electrical models with real-world data.
- Document results and provide actionable insights to guide product development and technology strategy.
- Explore R&D and manufacturing strategies for scalable microelectronics fabrication or PCB assembly.
- Research emerging technologies in semiconductors, embedded systems, or IoT to identify market opportunities.
- Tackle open-ended engineering challenges in a fast-paced startup environment (e.g., reliability testing, firmware-hardware integration, or miniaturization).
What We’re Looking For
- Enrolled in (or recently completed) a graduate program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field (undergraduates and recent graduates may apply)
- Strong foundation in microelectronics, embedded systems signal processing, and power electronics
- Experience with PCB design, physical architecture, and firmware development
- Familiarity creating footprints with ECAD tools such as Altium, Eagle, or KiCAD
- Experience with prototyping, testing, and debugging electrical systems
- Comfort with data analysis tools (Python, SQL, Excel)
- Hands on aptitude – able to dive in and troubleshoot issues
- Ability to generate ideas in response to complex issues and execute on solutions
- Self-directed and self-motivated
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Desire to work in a startup environment
- Cares about the world and wants to have an impact on it
What We’d Love To See (Bonus Skills)
- Exposure to MEMS, semiconductors, or biochemical systems
- Experience coding and working with databases in Python, Java, C, Rust, or SQL
- Experience working with Machine Learning algorithms and methodologies
- Significant experience with firmware development and debugging
What You’ll Gain
- Direct experience working on frontier climate tech hardware
- Mentorship from a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers
- The chance to shape real-world solutions for decarbonization and next generation technologies
- Potential to contribute to publishable research
To Apply:
Prepare your resume, a short cover letter, and any relevant project links or publications.