Software Engineer Intern
Software Engineer Intern – Vessel Systems
South Portland, Maine | Full-time Internship | $26/hr | 4 month position: Starts November-January, ends March-May.
About Rudder Industries
Rudder Industries designs and manufactures high-mix, heavy-duty marine robotics end-to-end in South-Portland, Maine. We are a small, elite team that values aggressive problem solvers who iterate at an extraordinary pace.
The Role
Rudder Industries is building a state-of-the-art vessel on a compressed timeline, and we’re looking for a software intern to support onboard software, interfaces, logging, and tools the engineering team uses to run and test the vessel.
You will write and maintain working software next to the hardware. You will help with interfaces to platform controls, logging, configuration, and test tools so engineers can see what the vessel is doing and command it through documented paths.
What You’ll Do
- Build and maintain tools and services: Support logging, configuration, health displays, and test utilities used on the bench and on the vessel.
- Work the interfaces: Help implement and document software interfaces to the platform control layer. Autonomy and mission software command and observe the vessel; they do not own the vehicle control unit.
- Support integration and test: Write scripts, parsers, and checks that make dock and harbor test repeatable.
- Keep the repo usable: Version, comment, and hand off code so the next person can run it.
- Sit with the hardware: Debug timing, serial/network, and configuration issues with electrical and controls—not only in simulation.
- Document what you ship: README, diagrams, config notes, and known limits. All knowledge must be documented.
What Success Looks Like
- A tool or interface you own runs on the bench or vessel without you in the room.
- Logs and configs for the software you touch are in version control and usable by the team.
- Documented interfaces exist for the paths you were assigned.
- Test scripts you wrote have been run as part of a real checkout, not only a unit test.
What We’re Looking For
- Coursework or project experience in software engineering, computer science, robotics, or a related field.
- Ability to write working code in Python, React, and/or C++ (other languages welcome if you can ship).
- Some experience with Linux, git, and talking to hardware or networked systems.
- Willingness to work onsite in a shipyard / prototype build environment.
- Clear written communication and a bias for full project ownership.
Strongly Preferred
- Robotics, autonomy, marine, or vehicle software projects.
- Experience with ROS, serial/CAN/UDP interfaces, or onboard logging.
- Comfort reading an ICD or vendor protocol document.
Work Environment & Engagement
- Location: South Portland, Maine. This internship is onsite. Relocation/travel support may be available.
- Engagement: Full-time internship from your start date through May 1. Start date may be anytime between October 1 and January 4.
- Reports to: Head of Software Engineering.
- Work environment: Hands-on work in an active shipyard and prototype build environment.
- Compensation: $26/hr.
What We Offer
- Hands-on work on a real vessel build, not a shadowing internship
- The opportunity to join a dedicated, collaborative team building innovative marine systems
- A small team where your work shows up on the boat
Export Control & Work Authorization Requirements
This position is limited to US Citizens/ Green Card holders per the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) regulations. Rudder Industries is unable to obtain or sponsor export-control authorization for this position.
How to Apply
Interested in joining Rudder Industries? Send your resume and a brief note about your relevant experience to jobs@rudder-industries.com. Please include the position title in the subject line.