MIT Beaver Works is seeking interns to contribute to the Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) Build a CubeSat Challenge. BWSI is a world class educational outreach program that challenges high school students across the country to develop robust unmanned systems using state-of-the-art autonomy algorithms and sensors. For more information on BWSI programs visit: https://bwsi.mit.edu/
TA’s will spend 8 months, September 2026 – April 2027, co-organizing and co-teaching the challenge material alongside Lincoln Laboratory staff.
Tasks for BWSI Build a CubeSat Challenge include the following:
- Construction of a prototype 1 unit CubeSat with imaging and geolocation capabilities for ground testing
- Integration of power, command and data handling, and imaging hardware and software to accomplish imaging tasks
- Development of image processing methods for application to an active science mission
- Organization of challenge material
- Co-instruction of students in the form of office hours
Position Requirements:
- Current undergraduate students in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Machanical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics or other technical field, coupled with the demonstrated ability to apply talents to new fields
- Demonstrated excellence in communication skills and the ability to convey technical concepts in a concise manner to a wide spectrum of audiences
- Interest in space systems, space exploration, CubeSat development, course development, and educational instruction
- Consistent availability from September 2026 to April 2027 – The TA will work approximately 10 hours per week during the challenge session.
Desired Skills:
- Experience programming in Python
- Experience with CAD
- Experience with Raspberry Pi platform and imaging system
- Experience with inertial measurement and geolocation
- Familiarity with Linux operating systems
- Exposure to image processing fundamentals and OpenCV
If interested in applying fill out application at the following website (a resume must be attached to application):
https://mit-bwsi.formstack.com/forms/beaverworks_job_application_2026
MIT is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; you must be a U.S. Citizen or have authority to work in the U.S. in order to be considered for this position.
