University of Maryland Summer Intern Position Open - UAS Design, Simulation, Assembly, Testing Project

Summer Internship Program 2023

Organization: UMD Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research and Operations Center, a division of the Clark School of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering Department
Location: 44181 Airport Road, California, MD 20619
Duration: 9.5 weeks during the summer, optional part-time continuation into academic year
Student: Undergraduate
Citizenship: United States/permanent resident (required due to ITAR equipment)
Contact info: Sara Lloyd, sjlloyd[at]umd[dot]edu, 301.862.7824 x800
Rolling acceptance, do not delay! Best consideration date is March 13, 2023

The University of Maryland UAS Research and Operations Center (UROC) offers researchers, students, government and industry access to extensive resources and pools of expertise in every aspect of UAS research.
Vision
A world where unmanned aircraft systems are safely and responsibly used to improve lives.
Mission
As a leader in research, development, testing and education, we leverage and enhance existing skills, expertise and resources to safely and responsibly integrate and advance unmanned aircraft systems.

Description:

The UMD UROC leverages the capabilities of the people and infrastructure in Southern Maryland and the University System of Maryland for technical and policy issues associated with UAS. UAS work by the University, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and industries throughout Maryland is supported by federal, state and local governments, as well as industry and other sectors.
The UROC brings together:

• Intellectual expertise and experts, many of whom have been conducting collaborative UAS research for decades
• Airspace, both segregated and non-segregated, to fly UAS
• Research and development infrastructure, both existing and planned expansions, to support UAS development
• Education opportunities, ranging from K-12 through the world-recognized and ranked capabilities of the University of Maryland, to prepare the workforce of tomorrow

The existing relationships between the University and NAVAIR are a cornerstone of our capability, in addition to growing partnerships with industry, academia and government agencies. We stand ready to assist the FAA with integrating UAS into the National Airspace System (NAS).
As an intern, you will work with researchers, your mentor, and UROC staff on the modeling, design, analysis, simulation, assembly, and experimentation of UAS. Tasks may include:
• Modeling and analysis of UAS performance, capability, and cost
• Developing models and establishing statistical relationships between component attributes and behaviors
• Performing aerodynamic and aeromechanic analyses of aircraft and components
• Applying generative design techniques to structural components
• Participating in additive manufacturing process setup and part assembly
• Applying statistical analysis and experimental design techniques to intelligently perform simulation of models
• Applying mathematical modeling techniques to explore relationships between design variables, technologies, and requirements
• Flight research with UAS

As a member of the UMD UROC staff you will be integrated directly into the day-to-day operations.
Qualifications:

Required:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate technical degree program (not limited to engineering) from rising sophomore to rising senior
• Students may come from any accredited university/community college
• Ability to work full-time for 9-10 weeks during the internship; Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – Friday, August 4, 2023.  Mandatory attendance on the first day, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. 
• Live and work for the summer in southern Maryland. Partially subsidized housing is available at Home 2 Suites Lexington Park, MD at approximately $175.00 per week per intern through August 4, 2023. This price is for a 2-student-shared Queen Studio with one queen-sized bed and one full-sized sofa bed separated by a curtain; includes kitchenette. https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dcalpht-home2-suites-lexington-park-pat...
• United States citizenship or permanent resident (green card holder)
• Interest in UAS technology
Desired qualifications may include, depending on project:

• Computer programming/scripting experience
• Intermediate knowledge of statistical data analysis tools and languages
• Intermediate knowledge of aerodynamics of fixed wing and rotary wing vehicles
• Basic knowledge of system modeling, system analysis, and time-based event analysis
• Basic knowledge of additive manufacturing principles and techniques
• Technical writing skills commensurate with conference or journal publications

Over the course of your internship, you will have the opportunity to interact with UROC and partner subject matter experts who possess academic and applied knowledge through years of experience, work side-by-side with researchers whose aim is to discover, innovate, and transition technologies and capabilities for society at large, and be expected to work directly with your mentor in your field of study.
How to apply:

• Identify a PhD faculty (or equivalent level subject matter expert) mentor who will work with you to identify a project that is related to UAS and remain as your advisor and primary source for project assistance throughout the internship. We expect active, albeit limited, engagement from your mentor.
• Apply directly to Sara Lloyd, sjlloyd[at]umd[dot]edu, with the following four items:
o your resume
o an agreement from your mentor who has agreed to work with you (email or short note)
o a short description of your proposed project (no more than one page)
o proposed budget
• Projects must be approved by the UROC for applicability, scope and budget
• Applicants are reviewed and approved on a rolling basis, so apply as early as possible. Best consideration date is March 13, 2023; interns will be selected and notified by early to mid- April.
Expectations:

• Interns are expected to work full-time at the UROC hangar for the summer, beginning May 31, 2023 and concluding August 4, 2023; limited deviations from this schedule are negotiable (to include requests for unpaid vacation time). 
• Attendance on the first day of the internship, May 31, 2023, is mandatory – no exceptions. 
• It is up to the intern, the mentor and the UROC if the internship continues into the academic year at their home campus.
• All internships are paid at an agreed hourly rate of $17.50 per hour, both summer and academic year.
• Each intern’s work will be established and supported by their mentor and supervised by a UROC staff member.
• All projects will be relatable to a flying UAS research project, and may include hardware, software, or both; and may include any portion of the UAS, to include but not limited to vehicles, sensors, software, data links, ground control station or human integration.
• It is a requirement that all projects fly by the end of summer.
• On the last day, interns will present an out-brief at the UMD UROC hangar to UROC staff, mentors, and guests on the project and its outcomes.
• All project budget allocations/transactions will be coordinated through the UROC staff, to include a proposed budget at the outset of the project.
• IF required by the faculty mentor there will be a written report/technical paper on the project. Examples of past projects:
• Defense UAS converted into a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) version of higher capability
• Using virtual reality to visualize swarm data
• Hybrid domain unmanned vehicles (air/water); quadcopter rover transforming vehicle
• Development of payload systems
• Thermal points for search and rescue map