At a Glance
- Tasks: Revive and enhance a robotic grasping system with hands-on experience in perception and manipulation.
- Company: Join Lodestar, a pioneering tech company focused on space autonomy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and a vibrant office environment in London.
- Other info: Collaborative team atmosphere with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in robotics while tackling exciting autonomy challenges.
- Qualifications: Studying or recently graduated in Robotics, Computer Science, or related fields; C++ and Python skills required.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 27000 £ per year.
Lodestar's mission is to develop the first "Protect and Defend" capability for high-value space assets in orbit. Our flagship product, MITHRIL, is our hardware-agnostic, AI-enabled autonomy software suite that enables us to augment any off-the-shelf spacecraft with the ability to autonomously detect, characterise, and reversibly neutralise orbital threats. By building on the proven space heritage of our best-in-class satellite-bus partners and fully integrating MITHRIL into a single unified platform, we deliver an end-to-end, autonomous in-space bodyguarding service.
We are looking for a motivated Robotics Engineer Intern to support our team in bringing an existing robotic grasping system back online and driving forward its development. This role offers hands-on experience with a complete perception-to-manipulation pipeline, including stereo vision, ArUco marker detection, and 6-DoF robotic arm control. This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to a working physical system with real autonomy challenges.
What You’ll Do
- Take ownership of an existing end-to-end robotic grasping system and bring it back to a fully operational state following a period of paused development.
- Assess and implement necessary configuration updates arising from changes to the end effector setup.
- Refine and stabilise the system, making incremental improvements to simplify the architecture and improve reliability.
- Work with a stereo vision camera mounted on the end effector to detect ArUco markers and guide the arm toward a target grasp pose.
- Collaborate closely with the team to identify and implement further improvements to perception and motion performance.
Qualifications Required
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related field.
- Proficiency in C++ and Python.
- Experience with Linux, preferably in embedded or real-time systems environments.
- Experience with an embedded system project demonstrating the full end-to-end process of developing, deploying, and validating software on physical hardware.
- Strong interest in robotics, particularly robotic manipulation and 6-DoF robotic arm control.
- Enthusiastic self-starter with a practical, hands-on approach to problem-solving.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within a small, multidisciplinary team.
Preferred
- Experience with ROS (Robot Operating System).
- Experience with machine vision, computer vision models, marker-based perception systems, or depth perception pipelines.
- Experience with Docker and containerised development environments.
- Experience with 6-DoF robotic manipulators, kinematics, and motion planning.
- Familiarity with robotic perception, grasp planning, manipulation frameworks, or autonomous systems.
- Familiarity with stereo vision cameras, depth sensing technologies, and perception workflows.
- Experience with ArUco or other fiducial marker detection and tracking systems.
- Familiarity with Git and modern version control workflows.
Vibrant, open-plan office in London. Be part of a scrappy, dynamic, multidisciplinary, collaborative crew. Salary of £27,000 Pro Rata.
Start Date
Expected internship length of 2–3 months. Timing can be adjusted to accommodate academic schedules and candidate availability.
For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Robotics Software Engineer Intern employer: Lodestar
Lodestar offers an exceptional work environment for aspiring Robotics Software Engineers, providing hands-on experience in cutting-edge technology within a vibrant, open-plan office in London. Our collaborative culture fosters innovation and personal growth, allowing interns to take ownership of significant projects while contributing to the development of autonomous systems that protect high-value space assets. With a competitive salary and flexible internship duration to accommodate academic schedules, Lodestar is committed to nurturing talent and empowering the next generation of engineers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Robotics Software Engineer Intern
✨Get Hands-On with Projects
Dive into robotics projects that showcase your skills. Try contributing to open-source automation projects on platforms like GitHub, or build your own little robots if you've got the resources. Showcasing tangible results will definitely catch the eye of companies like Lodestar.
✨Join Robotics Communities
Become an active member of online forums and local robotics clubs. Events like hackathons or competitions can give you great exposure, connect you with industry professionals, and help you learn from others. Networking in these spaces can open doors to internship opportunities at places like Lodestar.
✨Utilise Your University Connections
Leverage your university’s career services—they often have partnerships with tech companies for internships. Attend job fairs and workshops focusing on robotics and automation to meet potential employers, including Lodestar.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When you apply, make sure to tailor your application to each specific internship. Highlight any coursework or projects related to robotics-automation. Applying directly through our website can also keep you in front of the selection panel at Lodestar!
We think you need these skills to ace Robotics Software Engineer Intern
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for an internship in robotics-automation, make sure to showcase your technical skills in areas like programming (Python, C++) and any experience with robotics software or hardware. Lay it out clearly in your CV and don't forget to include any relevant projects or coursework that demonstrate your abilities!
Demonstrate Your Passion for Innovation:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for robotics and automation shine through! Share what inspired you to pursue this field, any related experiences you've had, and how you see yourself growing in the role at Lodestar. We're looking for candidates who are eager to learn and innovate!
Showcase Any Relevant Projects:If you've been involved in robotics projects—whether for coursework, personal projects, or even clubs—mention these in your application. Include links to any online repositories (like GitHub) or documentation in your CV that reflect your hands-on experience. It’s a great way to set yourself apart!
Tailor Your Application to the Company:Every internship application should feel personal. Research Lodestar and understand their projects or technologies they use. Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect how your skills align with their work, making it clear why you'd be a great fit for their team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lodestar
✨Brush Up on Your Programming Skills
Since you're diving into the world of robotics and automation, make sure you're comfortable with programming languages like Python or C++. Expect some technical questions or even coding challenges. Practising on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank can give you a solid edge.
✨Showcase Relevant Projects
Bring along any portfolios or projects you've worked on, even if they were just uni assignments. Highlight what you’ve built, the tools you used, and the challenges you solved. This’ll not only demonstrate your skills but also your passion for robotics.
✨Understand the Automation Tools
Familiarise yourself with common automation tools and software that are prevalent in the industry. Knowing the basics of tools like ROS (Robot Operating System) or PLC programming would show you're serious about the role and willing to learn.
✨Demonstrate Your Eagerness to Learn
As an intern, they won't expect you to know it all, but they will value your enthusiasm and drive to learn. Prepare to discuss what specific skills and areas in robotics excite you, and how you hope to develop your expertise while working at Lodestar.
