Intern Software Engineer – Embedded Benchmarking & Thermal Characterization

Job Title

Intern Software Engineer – Embedded Benchmarking & Thermal Characterization

Role Summary

Join the Microprocessors Software team to help evaluate and optimize NXP i.MX processors for power, performance, and thermal behavior. You will develop and run test applications and automation to collect sensor and laboratory measurements on embedded platforms.

The role involves hands-on work with bare-metal and low-level software, measurement equipment, and data analysis in a lab environment alongside experienced engineers.

Experience Level

Entry-level internship targeted at current university students or recent graduates; suitable for candidates with limited professional experience.

Responsibilities

Key tasks you will perform:

• Translate benchmarking requests into test scenarios and measurement plans.
• Run power, performance, and thermal benchmarking based on customer use cases.
• Execute temperature characterization and validation on NXP i.MX platforms.
• Develop and run bare-metal test applications for thermal and performance analysis.
• Collect, process, and analyze data from on-board sensors and external lab equipment.
• Develop automation scripts for test execution and data collection.
• Support hardware/software debugging of measurement setups.
• Document results and prepare technical reports; present findings and recommendations.
• May perform security-related tasks; requires careful and reliable working practices.

Requirements

Must-have skills and expectations:

• Basic programming in C and Python.
• Understanding of fundamental embedded systems concepts and basic computer architecture.
• Electronics fundamentals, including sensors, voltages, currents, and measurement equipment.
• Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to interpret technical requirements and customer use cases.
• Good communication and teamwork skills; English proficiency.

Nice-to-have / preferred:

• Familiarity with ARM-based microcontrollers or processors.
• Experience with debugging tools (JTAG, serial consoles, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).
• Experience with laboratory measurements, data acquisition systems, and automation for data processing.
• Knowledge of embedded interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C) and basic performance metrics (CPU frequency, load, latency, throughput, power, temperature).
• Exposure to benchmarking, validation, characterization, and data visualization tools.

Education Requirements

Targeted at students enrolled in a university degree (Bachelor's level) in Electronics, Computer Engineering, Automation, Computer Science or a closely related technical field. Relevant coursework includes Embedded Systems; Microprocessors and Microcontrollers; Computer Architecture; Electronics; Digital Systems Design; Programming in C/C++; Signals and Systems; Measurement and Instrumentation; and basic Operating Systems.

About the Company

Company: NXP Semiconductors

Headquarters: Nijmegen, Netherlands

NXP Semiconductors N.V. is a global semiconductor company that provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions. With over 45,000 employees and operations in more than 35 countries, NXP is a leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, catering to automotive, industrial IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, advancing a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through technology.