Control Systems & Algorithms Intern

Work Period: May 2027 to August 2027

Location & Schedule: This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position with 5 days per week onsite in Needham, MA. There is no relocation or housing assistance for this position.

Join the SharkNinja Early Edge Experience: Built for early career talent. Geared toward impact. Driven by speed. Whether you're in a co-op or internship, our early talent program is designed to provide valuable exposure to the industry and a fast-paced professional environment. You'll dive into meaningful projects and tasks that sharpen your skills and deepen your knowledge. Along the way, you'll benefit from professional development opportunities, community events, and connections that make your experience well-rounded and enriching. Your time with us will culminate in an opportunity to showcase your contributions and learnings to SharkNinja leaders because this is a program for those ready to shape what's next — fast.

This role: We are seeking a highly motivated Control Systems & Algorithms Intern to join our team. We focus on developing real-time optimization and control algorithms for low-compute hardware that drive the next generation of smart household appliances. This role offers a hands-on opportunity to design, prototype, and validate control solutions that make appliances smarter, more efficient, and more reliable.

This summer internship will provide valuable experience in the field of control systems engineering and mechatronics with a focus on programming skills, optimization, and algorithms development. If you are passionate and want to work on challenging projects, we encourage you to apply.

Here are some of the EXCITING things you’ll get to do:

• Design and implement real-time control algorithms for appliance subsystems (thermal, fluidic, and electromechanical)
• Work directly with pumps, heaters, boilers, AC/DC, and stepper motors, and their drivers
• Interface with low-cost sensors (temperature, flow, pressure, torque, etc.) and implement signal processing, filtering, and estimation techniques (e.g., Kalman filters)
• Apply classical control methods (frequency response analysis, PID design, and tuning) to achieve stability and robustness in systems with significant delays and nonlinearities
• Rapidly build and iterate prototypes and test rigs to validate algorithms in real hardware environments
• Collect and analyze experimental data to identify system dynamics and optimize performance
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop system design, software architecture, and bring control algorithms from concept to embedded deployment

 ATTRIBUTES & SKILLS: 

• Education: Must be currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program (third year or beyond), master’s, or doctorate program
• Must be able to work a full-time, 40-hour-per-week schedule with 5 days per week onsite in Needham, MA
• Strong understanding of control system theory (frequency response, stability margins, PID design and tuning) and design, including classical control and advanced control
• Proficiency in embedded C/C++ programming and experience with microcontrollers (e.g., STM32, ESP32, Arduino, or similar)
• Familiarity with real-time signal processing and sensor fusion techniques
• Comfort working hands-on with hardware systems (sensors, actuators, thermal and electromechanical components)
• Strong problem-solving ability and willingness to prototype quickly and iterate
• A natural and effective communicator capable of reducing abstract concepts to reality
• Able to quickly generate visual and physical definitions of new products that convey key attributes of function
• Naturally curious and relentlessly driven to find better solutions to everyday problems

Preferred/Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink for system modeling, state-space control, and model-based design (including Simulink Coder/code generation)
• Background in system identification, including real-time or machine-learning-based modeling
• Knowledge of nonlinear optimization algorithms suitable for low-compute, embedded environments
• Familiarity with TinyML, CMSIS libraries, or other embedded ML frameworks
• Experience with embedded system architecture and designing control software frameworks

Embodies SharkNinja’s Success Drivers:

• • Rarely Satisfied – Adopt a “no delays” mentality in delivering against market needs/timing
  • Progress over Perfection – Make quick, daily progress and continuously adapt to achieve results rather than requiring perfect planning
  • Details Make the Difference – Can coordinate timelines & deliverables to ensure accuracy and consistency across all consumer-facing materials
  • Winning is a Team Sport – Ability to develop strong cross-functional relationships
  • Communicate for Impact – Strong communication skills; ability to deliver effective presentations to all levels of management

Please note that, due to the high volume of applications for early talent roles, response times may vary depending on the specific role and timeline. Our team appreciates your patience!

Hourly Pay Range 30 - 40 USD