Develop Python and/or Rust software that interfaces with test instruments, embedded hardware, industrial controllers, and customer test systems. Automate data collection and control, build instrumentation drivers, contribute to the open-source instro library, and troubleshoot hardware-software integrations on-site. Own a scoped hardware-software integration project with mentorship. Applicants should be graduating by Summer 2027 and have hands-on experience with instrumentation, data acquisition, embedded hardware, or related engineering projects.
About Nominal
Nominal is building the connected test and operations platform powering the world's most advanced hardware systems, from spacecraft and autonomous vehicles to next-generation defense programs. Our platform gives hardware engineering teams a single place to ingest data, analyze performance, automate test execution, and collaborate across every phase of development, so they can move faster without sacrificing safety or precision. We're a fast-moving team that owns problems end-to-end, works across disciplines, and thrives at the intersection of hardware and software.
We serve top-tier commercial and defense customers, from autonomy leaders like Anduril and Shield AI to next-generation aerospace teams like Hermeus and REGENT, and performance engineering teams like Pratt Miller Motorsports, alongside mission partners within the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force on programs where failure isn’t an option. We’re backed by Sequoia, General Catalyst, Founders Fund, Lux Capital, and Lightspeed. Our team draws from SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, Applied Intuition, and other leading companies, united by a common mission: giving hardware engineers the tools to build the future with speed, safety, and confidence.
We're looking for students with solid engineering fundamentals on track to graduate in Summer 2027 or sooner.
As an Instrumentation intern at Nominal, you'll work at the boundary between software and physical test hardware, helping integrate Nominal solutions in real test stands, hardware instrumentation stacks, and live control systems. You'll write code that talks directly to hardware in the field, whether that's a test stand, a clean room, or an industrial setup, and see your work show up in customer test campaigns within weeks.
🚀 What you'll do
- Write reliable and performant Python and/or Rust-based software to interface with customer hardware using PyVISA, broad-base industrial protocols, and proprietary vendor SDKs (NI-DAQmx, LabJack, Dewesoft), etc.
- Help automate data collection and control processes across hardware test environments
- Contribute new drivers and instruments to our open-source instrumentation library (instro)
- Work shoulder-to-shoulder with engineers on-site to get test setups running and troubleshoot hardware-software integrations live
- Take ownership of a scoped hardware ↔ software integration project from start to finish, with mentorship from our instrumentation and product teams
🎯 Reach out if…
- You’re graduating in Summer 2027 or sooner and are interested in a full-time position
- You've worked hands-on with data acquisition systems, test instruments (power supplies, eLoads, DMMs, oscilloscopes), embedded hardware, or industrial controllers, whether through coursework, research, or a team like solar car, formula racing, or robotics
- You have strong Python and/or Rust fundamentals, are comfortable reading hardware manuals and communication protocol specs, and have prior experience contributing to open source or building hardware abstraction layers
- You have strong interest in developing software that dictates how high-impact electro-mechanical systems behave in the real world
- Your peers would describe you as ambitious, resourceful, resilient, and persistent when something isn't working
✨ Benefits/Perks
- 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Unlimited PTO and sick leave
- Free lunch, snacks, and coffee
- Professional Development Stipend
- 401k Plan
- In-office hardware lab with a $250 project stipend
- Annual company retreat
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Nominal Los Angeles, California, USA Office
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Similar Jobs
Automotive • eCommerce • Hardware • Music • Retail • Software • Wearables
Lead operations, programming, and guest experience for Bose Luxurys House of Sound. Oversee facility excellence, vendor management, hospitality team, cultural partnerships, event calendar, VIP tours, and cross-functional coordination to drive brand elevation and sales conversion.
Fintech • Financial Services
Solicits and originates residential and jumbo mortgage loans for affluent borrowers. Builds referral relationships with realtors, builders, financial professionals, bank stores, and past customers; evaluates financial and credit information; recommends suitable loan products; quotes rates and points; manages applications and lock-ins; maintains customer communication; and ensures compliance with mortgage licensing, underwriting, regulatory, and risk requirements.
Top Skills:
Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (Nmls)Regulation ZSafe Mortgage Licensing Act
Fintech • Financial Services
Leads strategy, delivery, governance, and commercialization for payments, liquidity, deposit, and digital workflow products serving banks and non-bank financial institutions. Defines product vision, roadmaps, architecture, investment priorities, and success metrics while coordinating Technology, Operations, Risk, Legal, Compliance, and relationship teams. Represents the portfolio with clients and senior leadership, drives market analysis, and ensures compliant lifecycle management and financial performance.
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
