Internship: FPGA Development for RF and SDR

Software-defined radios (SDRs) are crucial in wireless prototyping and research due to their flexibility and adaptability. They allow researchers to implement and test new communication protocols and algorithms on top of a platform combining flexibility of software with the parallel processing capabilities of FPGAs. This accelerates development cycles, reduces costs, and enables rapid experimentation with various wireless technologies, making SDRs indispensable for advancing wireless communication.

In This Role, Your Responsibilities Will Be:

• You will build up knowledge, drive development, and contribute to our open source SDR platform by developing example applications for our RF Network-on-Chip (RFNoC) development framework:

• Developing Custom FPGA Modules : creating and integrating new IP blocks for specific signal processing tasks

• FPGA Image Building : generating and testing custom FPGA images tailored to specific applications

• High-Throughput DSP : applying existing high-throughput digital signal processing algorithms

• Cross-Platform Integration : integrating FPGA functionality into C++ and Python programs for versatile application development

Who You Are:

You are passionate about technology and data processing and like to learn and work with the latest software defined radio technologies and equipment.

You take time to ask questions and define the problem and make learning a priority.

You prepare content for communication that is impactful and get in touch with mentors with questions to help drive progress and completion of goals and tasks.

For this Role, You Will Need:

• Ongoing academic studies in Information System Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or comparable field of studies (from 4th semester)

• Basic knowledge in FPGA development workflows.

• Basic familiarity with Linux operating systems

• Basic knowledge in C/C++ or Python

• Courage to independently research an SDR-related problem

• Good command of spoken and written English and/or German

• Availability for 6 months starting in October 2025

• This internship must be a mandatory part of your studies

Preferred Qualifications that Set You Apart:

• You have some experience in FPGA development using languages like Verilog / SystemVerilog or VHDL

• You have some prior experience with using software-defined radios

• You have experience working in open-source software development projects

Our Culture & Commitment to You:

At Emerson, we prioritize a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives—because we know that great ideas come from great teams. Our commitment to ongoing career development and growing an inclusive culture ensures you have the support to thrive. Whether through mentorship, training, or leadership opportunities, we invest in your success so you can make a lasting impact. We believe diverse teams, working together are key to driving growth and delivering business results.