Job Category: Research
Degree Level: High School
Graduate
Locations: 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620, US
Essential Personnel:
No
Job Description
Robotics Engineering Internship – Spring 2026
SOFWERX is a venue
operated under an agreement between the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and DefenseWERX, designed to increase
collaboration and innovation to solve the most difficult warfighter problems. SOFWERX is a forum for accelerating delivery of innovative
capability, and facilitating capability refinement through exploration, experimentation, and assessment of promising technology. SOFWERX is
in the heart of Ybor City, at a neutral, easily accessible facility.
The internship program is administered by USF Institute of
Applied Engineering. Upon hire, you will be considered both a USF IAE Temporary Employee and a SOFWERX student intern.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
- Working with DefenseWERX to design, prototype, and test
robotic equipment - Assist with conducting research on related technology-focused topics
- Consult and engage with subject
matter experts - Must participate in weekly market research and submit minimum required entries for new capabilities, technologies,
companies, organizations, etc. that could contribute to the innovative ideas needed to create solutions for the warfighter.
Time commitment
- Hours of operation are 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday thru Friday.
- This position requires a
minimum of 15 hours and a maximum of 20 hours per week during the Fall/Spring semesters and a minimum of 20 hours and a maximum of 29 hours
per week during the Summer semester. - This internship is in-person with limited remote work opportunities.
Opportunities
- Engage in employee events, such as team building
- Build resume and explore career
options - Apply skills and knowledge to the workplace
- Upon completion of the internship, a letter of recommendation can be
provided upon request - Opportunity for follow-on internship based on performance
Pay Rate
$18.50/hour
Qualifications
Requirements
- MUST BE ELIGIBLE FOR A SECURITY
CLEARANCE - Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or Physics
- Junior or Senior level, with a
current GPA of 3.0 or above - Experience with creating Arduino circuits
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
(Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) is a plus - Software app experience on Linux, Android, Mac OS X or Ubuntu is desired
- Must be
willing to learn or be familiar with test equipment: multi-meters, spectrum analyzers, mixed-signal O-scopes, Vector Network Analyzers, and
RF power meters. - Experience working with a variety of engineering students
- Effective written and oral communication
skills - Good planning and organizational skills- A high level of integrity, accuracy, dependability, enthusiasm, and
confidentiality. - Software app experience on Linux, Android, Mac OS X or Ubuntu is desired.
About
Us
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest
employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees
excel in USF’s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of
Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical,
dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee
perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving
approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized
by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani
College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of
American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in
research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a
better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the
American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal
Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights
under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate
against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for
protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act
(FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request
is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human
Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate
against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action
programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job
description does not constitute an employment contract.
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