Vehicle Controls Engineering Intern

What we’re building

The marine industry supports recreation, global commerce, and national defense. And yet it runs on technology that hasn't meaningfully changed in fifty years. Until now.

Arc is on a mission to electrify the marine industry. We're rethinking powertrains, software, and vessel designs from first principles. And we're already executing. We started with consumers to develop and harden our core technology. We’re now scaling production of our flagship model with new models and sectors on the horizon. Now we’re extending our platform to commercial applications, starting with tugs, ferries, and defense, with years worth of signed contracts and a pipeline that spans every vessel type on the water.

The technology is proven, the momentum is building, and the opportunity is enormous. The marine industry is going electric and Arc is building the platform that powers it

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who’s fired up by our mission and ready to build. You’ll thrive here if you adapt quickly, take ownership, and care about the details. 

You will join our Electrical Systems Engineering team as a summer intern from June 14th - August 20th 2027. You will work from our headquarters in Torrance, CA. Given that we’re a startup, you will be working in a fast-moving, dynamic environment that requires adaptability. That said, here are some responsibilities and qualifications we expect to stay relatively constant for this role.

What You'll Do

• Assist in developing and testing control algorithms using tools such as MATLAB Simulink and Stateflow.
• Support hardware and software integration for vehicle control systems.
• Learn to interpret and work with vehicle electrical schematics to support control designs.
• Conduct basic tests and simulations to validate control system functionality.
• Collaborate with team members to troubleshoot and optimize control solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current enrollment in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• Familiarity with control systems and MATLAB Simulink (coursework or project experience counts).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Eagerness to learn and adapt in a dynamic setting.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with high-performance electric vehicles, solar cars, Formula SAE, or similar projects.
• Knowledge of high-voltage systems and HV battery pack design/functionality.
• Familiarity with CAN communication and advanced control systems.
• Comfortable pushing a fast but sustainable pace
• Enthusiasm for boating and clean energy

At Arc, we encourage diversity and consider all qualified applicants equally for employment, regardless of background, identity, or status. You’re always welcome to reach out even if you don’t meet many of these qualifications. Passion and aptitude make up for a lot.

What we offer

The base pay for this role is $42 hourly. 

Additionally, as an Arc Intern, you'll also get:

• Boat days – Yes, we actually go out on the water. A lot.
• Retirement savings — Traditional and Roth 401(k) access
• Safety support — Reimbursement for PPE, ergonomic equipment, and anything that ensures we keep our crew safe
• Relocation Assistance
• Mentorship Opportunities
• Office perks — Daily lunches, snacks, and good coffee while onsite

Our values

We move with urgency and build with care. We value these five things above all else:

• Ownership over both your work and the company’s success
• Empathy for colleagues and for customers
• Humility in problem solving and collaboration
• Pragmatism for navigating ambiguity quickly and sensibly 
• Inclusion of different backgrounds, opinions, cultures, and perspectives.

We want people who share and embody these values. It is vital that our values align - we’d be happy to elaborate on any or all of these during the interview process.