UAV Technology & Systems Intern

2026 Summer Internship Job Description

***This internship will run from May 18 2026 - August 7, 2026 and will require at least three days a week in person at the VA office.***

Location: Alexandria, VA / Hybrid Title: UAV Technology & Systems Intern Reports to: Director of Flight Operations Classification:  Non-Exempt

WHAT WE’RE ABOUT:  Pixis Drones, LLC. creates breathtaking drone shows that illuminate the night sky. We blend creative storytelling with entertainment to create aerial art displays of words, logos, and images that leave a lasting impression with audiences.

What This Internship is About:

The UAV Technology & Systems Intern will support research and development efforts focused on drone and uncrewed aerial systems technology. Rather than direct flight operations or show execution, this role centers on understanding how UAV systems work, how they’re advancing, and how to apply new technologies to Pixis products and processes.

This internship is ideal for a student enrolled in a UAV/UAS, Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems, Aeronautical Engineering, Robotics, or Drone Technology program who wants to apply academic knowledge in a real-world R&D context. 

Key Responsibilities

Technology Research & Evaluation

• Research emerging UAV technologies (control systems, sensors, autonomy, swarm coordination, propulsion, payload integration, etc.)

• Evaluate new hardware/software innovations relevant to drone light shows and beyond  

• Summarize findings in clear technical briefs for engineering and leadership review

Systems & Integration Understanding

• Support documentation of UAV subsystems, architecture, and integration workflows

• Assist with mapping how commercial and custom drone hardware interacts with Pixis software and show systems  

• Compare technologies for scalability, performance, cost, and FAA compliance

Prototyping & Data Analysis Support

• Assist engineers with basic prototype testing, data capture, and system performance analysis

• Help design test plans for new sensory or navigation capabilities  

• Support iterative evaluation of autonomous algorithms and operational logic

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with engineering, operations, and creative teams to understand how systems knowledge informs show design and delivery

• Participate in internal tech discussions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and strategy meetings

• Shadow senior engineers and UAV technologists in project reviews and vendor evaluations

What You’re All About:

Academic & Technical Background

• Pursuing or enrolled in a degree program with focus on UAV/UAS, Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems, Robotics, Aeronautical Engineering, Drone Technology, or similar areas

• Familiarity with UAV system fundamentals such as flight control, sensors, navigation, embedded systems, and autonomy coursework

• Understanding of FAA regulations and UAS ecosystem from academic study (e.g., Part 107, airspace integration) is a plus

Skills & Interests

• Strong curiosity about how drone technologies work and evolve

• Comfortable with technical research, documentation, and analysis

• Basic coding or scripting experience (Python, MATLAB, or C/C++) is a plus

• Detail-oriented and capable of synthesizing complex technical information

• Excellent communication and ability to present findings to diverse teams

• Self-motivated, inquisitive, and eager to learn in a fast-paced tech environment

Salary:

$15/h Enrolled in an Undergrad program, $16.50/h for completing an Undergrad program, but not starting a Graduate program and $18/h enrolled in or obtained Graduate degree

HOW WE WORK

At Pixis Drones, precision meets creative spectacle. We engineer safety into every show—from redundancy in hardware/software to procedural discipline and real-time decision frameworks. Our creative edge is rooted in reliability and operational rigor. We welcome people from diverse domains—aviation, robotics, events, media—and provide systems training and mentorship to help you grow.

NEXT STEPS:  To apply for this position please respond to this posting with your cover letter, resume/portfolio, and salary requirements. Only qualified applicants will be contacted.  It is the policy of Pixis to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, Pixis will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Next Steps:

To apply for this position please respond to this posting with your cover letter, resume and salary requirements. Only qualified applicants will be contacted.

It is the policy of RedPeg to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, RedPeg will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.