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Drone Test & Field Intern

SE3 Labs Erding, Bavaria, Germany

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Salary: 31 Pa

Posted Jan 19, 2026

Role & seniority: Drone Test & Field Intern (early-stage team)

Stack/tools: UAV hardware/software integration; ground control: QGroundControl, Mission Planner; flight control: ArduPilot, PX4; soldering/electronics, CAD/3D printing; data analysis and scripting (nice-to-have)

Top 3 responsibilities

  • Integrate and checkout new UAVs to flight readiness alongside hardware/software teams

  • Fly, test, deploy, and operate drones across scale from backpackable quadcopters to large fixed-wing systems

  • Conduct field qualification tests, capture feedback, and identify bugs/design flaws to drive improvements

Must-have skills

  • 3+ years hands-on drone experience (professional, racing/competition, or equivalent)

  • Completed technical apprenticeship, bachelor’s or relevant training

  • Familiar with ground control software (QGC, Mission Planner) and flight controllers (ArduPilot, PX4)

  • Precision, quality mindset, systematic problem-solving

  • Proactive, ownership-driven; conversational English; German a plus

Nice-to-haves

  • Command line familiarity and basic scripting

  • Data analysis skills (log interpretation, root-cause/frequency analysis)

  • Soldering, electronics troubleshooting; CAD and 3D printing

Location & work type

  • Location: not specified

  • Work type: Internship (paid benefits noted)

Full Description

🚀 Join SE3 Labs as Drone Test & Field Intern Help us get our autonomous systems airborne and pushed to their limits. Turn advanced designs into robust, field-proven, real-world solutions. Early team, deep tech, high impact. About SE3 SE3 Labs is building Spatial AI by combining 3D computer vision with large language models (LLMs). We believe the ability to reason about and act within physical space is foundational to unlocking the next generation of automation, from construction to smart infrastructure, and ultimately, defense. Now, we’re building the physical platform to bring Spatial AI to life. That means high-performance, real-world robotic systems (starting with UAVs) and we’re looking for a hands-on operator who’s ready to fly, demonstrate and perfect these machines with us. About the Role As our Drone Test & Field Intern, you’ll play a key role in getting and keeping our fleet of autonomous drones in the air. Working as part of our development team, you will bring new drones to life where hardware and software come together and test their capabilities systematically in the real world. Your contribution will determine how well we understand our technology and define the path of our future development. What You’ll Work On

Integrate & Checkout: Work hand-in-hand with our hardware & software developers and technicians to complete integration and get new UAVs to flight readiness.

Fly, Test-Fly, Deploy and Fly: Flash, tune and operate drones from backpackable quadcopters to multi-meter wingspan fixed-wings.

Test & Feedback: You drive qualification and development flight testing in the field

Improve & Suggest: Spot bugs and design flaws, propose & evaluate improvements, and help us move faster and build better. Your Profile

You bring hands-on experience assembling, tuning and operating drones: 3+ years professionally or equivalent in racing / competition / enthusiast projects You’ve completed a technical apprenticeship, Bachelors or training in a relevant technical field You are familiar with ground control software (Such as QGroundCcontrol and Mission Planner) and flight control software (Ardupilot and PX4) You care about precision, quality and a systematic problem-solving approach You are proactive, willing to improvise and have a strong sense of ownership Conversational English is a must; German is a strong plus Especially Valued Bonus Skills Familiarity with using a command line and basic scripting Data analysis skills (log interpretation, root cause-, frequency domain analysis) You’re skilled in soldering wires and troubleshooting electronics, sensors, etc. Familiarity with CAD and 3D printing Perks & Benefits

Make your passion your job: If you love drones, you will relish this role

31 Paid Days Off: 30 vacation days plus your birthday off

Well-being Access: Free membership to gyms, yoga, and wellness through EGYM Wellpass

Team Offsites: We go on 2 company retreats per year, our last ones were in Italy and Greece

Mentorship: Work closely with experienced engineers and get paired with a professional mentor to support your growth Our Process

Intro Call (20 min): Let’s get to know each other (conducted by Michael, our Chief of Staff)

Technical Interview (45 min): (with Francisco, our Drone Software & Test Specialist )

Drone AssemblyTuningOperating DronesGround Control SoftwareFlight Control SoftwareProblem SolvingProactivitySolderingTroubleshootingData AnalysisCAD3D Printingmulti-location

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