Mechatronics / Embedded Systems Engineering Intern

Job Title:

Mechatronics / Embedded Systems Engineering Intern

Location:

On-site in Surrey, BC

Company:

SkyAcres

Employment Type:

Full-Time, 4 month contract

Urgent hiring date: Dec 1, 2025- Mar 31, 2025

Salary Range: $22-27 / hour @ 40 hours / week

Must have completed a post secondary education

About SkyAcres

SkyAcres is revolutionizing agriculture by transforming how—and where—the world grows food. Using patent-pending modular hardware and an AI-powered marketplace, we turn underutilized spaces like barns, and commercial facilities into profitable indoor farms. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to democratize farming so that access to fresh, nutritious food is not a privilege but a right.

We've developed the world's first pump-free aeroponic farming system, enabling year-round production of over 60 varieties of crops while using 90% fewer resources than traditional farming. Through our smart marketplace, anyone—from experienced farmers to first-time growers—can grow and sell premium, locally sourced produce to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, and communities.

SkyAcres was recently recognized as one of the Top 20 AgTech Startups globally by Grow-NY and Google for Startups North America. After years of research and development, we are now scaling commercialization—partnering with farmers, facilities, and strategic food operators to build a resilient, decentralized network of indoor farms across North America.

Our vision is bold: to make farming as accessible as any gig economy opportunity—creating new income streams, strengthening local food security, and empowering communities to take control of their food systems.

What you'll do

You'll help design, test, and iterate on embedded hardware + firmware that powers our indoor farming modules. This role is hands-on and fast-paced: build, measure, break, learn, fix, repeat.

Core responsibilities

• PCB design & iteration
• Create schematics and PCBs in
  EasyEDA
• Spec and source components (passives, drivers, sensors, power)

• Generate BOMs, review footprints, and prepare boards for fab/assembly

• Embedded firmware development

• Work on
  ESP32

firmware in
C++
- Develop and debug using
PlatformIO + VSCode
- Implement sensor drivers, actuator control, and networking routines

• Testing, debugging, and validation
• Use lab equipment (oscilloscope, multimeter, power supply)
• Characterize circuits and subsystems (noise, stability, efficiency)
• Design and run experiments using the
  scientific method

• Document findings and feed improvements into next revisions

• Mechatronics systems support

• Integrate and validate pumps, motor drivers, valves, and sensors
• Support WiFi/BLE connectivity and reliability testing
• Help troubleshoot field units and improve robustness

You're a good fit if you have

We're not expecting mastery of everything below — but you should be excited by hardware, comfortable learning fast, and willing to get your hands dirty.

Required / strongly desired

• Experience with
  embedded systems or electronics project work
• Basic PCB design familiarity (EasyEDA or similar tools)
• Comfort reading datasheets and selecting components
• C/C++ programming experience (embedded preferred)
• ESP32 familiarity (or similar MCU platform)
• Debugging mindset: you enjoy chasing down root causes
• Lab skills:
• Oscilloscope basics (probing, reading waveforms, debugging)
• Multimeter use, continuity checks, power measurements
• Circuit fundamentals:
• Understanding of
  full-bridge / H-bridge circuits
• Familiarity with
  oscillator circuits
• Familiarity with
  LC circuits / filters
• Clear communicator who can document and explain what they tried
• Strong "learn-quickly" energy — you adapt fast when thrown into new systems

Preferred but not required

Nice-to-haves that help you contribute in more areas:

• 3D modeling / mechanical design in Fusion 360
• UI/UX or front-end development

(dashboards, control apps, tooling)

What you'll learn here

• Real-world embedded product development
• Designing for noise, moisture, temperature, and reliability — farm environments are brutal
• Power electronics for pumps/motors and sensor-heavy systems
• Iterative PCB + firmware co-design
• How to validate hardware with structured experiments
• How to ship revisions quickly without sacrificing safety

How we work

• Small team, high ownership, fast feedback loops
• You'll get a lot of autonomy, mentorship, and context
• We care more about curiosity and grit than perfect resumes

Benefits

• Potential travel to customer sites in Kelowna, Seattle, Toronto, & Hong Kong
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge vertical farming technology and sustainability projects.
• Flexible hybrid work environment (mix of on-site and remote work).
• Hands-on experience in a fast-growing agritech startup.
• Potential for career growth and leadership opportunities.
• Meaningful work contributing to sustainable and accessible food production.