Signal Processing Engineer Intern
OrthoIQ · Cambridge, MA
Develop sensing and detection algorithms for orthopedic surgical tools, working with physical prototypes and real sensor data. The role spans sensor selection, experiment design, data collection, signal processing and algorithm development to detect implant seating during impaction.
What you'll do
- Select, characterize and integrate force/load and other sensors
- Design experiments and collect synchronized sensor and ground-truth data
- Analyze signals using filtering, FFT, and time-domain techniques
- Explore ML and classification methods for detecting implant seating
- Validate algorithm accuracy, robustness and repeatability
Nice to have
- Pursuing or recently completed a BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or related field
- Coursework or project experience in signal processing, controls, instrumentation, data science, or machine learning
- Experience with Python and/or MATLAB
- Familiarity with sensors and data-acquisition systems
- Experience analyzing experimental time-series data
- Hands-on prototyping or laboratory experience
- Familiarity with microcontrollers or embedded systems
- Comfortable solving open-ended problems in an early-stage startup
Skills
Outlined skills are listed as required.
Full original description
Electrical Engineering Intern — OrthoIQ 0 Skip to Content Home About Careers Contact Open Menu Close Menu Home About Careers Contact Open Menu Close Menu Home About Careers Contact Sensing & Signal Processing Engineering Intern Location: Cambridge, MA Duration: Spring or Summer 2027 (10+ weeks) About OrthoIQ OrthoIQ is an MIT-founded medical technology startup developing intelligent surgical tools for orthopedic procedures. Our systems provide real-time sensing and feedback to surgeons, helping improve implant fixation, reduce complications, and improve surgical outcomes. We are building a new class of smart orthopedic instrumentation, combining mechanical systems, sensing, and data to bring intelligence into the operating room. Role Overview We are seeking a Sensing & Signal Processing Engineering Intern to develop sensing and detection algorithms for our next-generation orthopedic surgical tools. This is a highly experimental role spanning sensor selection, test design, data collection, signal processing, and algorithm development. You will work with physical prototypes and real sensor data to investigate methods for detecting clinically meaningful events during orthopedic impaction. Responsibilities Select, characterize, and integrate force/load and other candidate sensors Design experiments and collect synchronized sensor and ground-truth data Develop data-acquisition and analysis workflows Analyze signals using filtering, FFT/frequency-domain, time-domain, and other signal-processing techniques Develop data-labeling and feature-engineering approaches Explore statistical, ML, and classification methods for detecting implant seating and stop conditions Validate algorithm accuracy, robustness, repeatability, and failure modes Characterize computational requirements including sampling rate, memory, execution time, and latency Develop analysis and prototyping tools in Python and/or MATLAB Document experimental methods, results, and design recommendations Desired Qualifications Pursuing or recently completed a BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or a related field Coursework or project experience in signal processing, controls, instrumentation, data science, or machine learning Experience with Python and/or MATLAB Familiarity with sensors and data-acquisition systems Experience analyzing experimental time-series data preferred Hands-on prototyping or laboratory experience Familiarity with microcontrollers or embedded systems is a plus, but not required Comfortable independently solving open-ended technical problems in an early-stage startup environment What You'll Gain Ownership of sensing R&D that directly informs product development Experience developing algorithms from raw physical sensor data Hands-on experience designing and running experiments on medical-device prototypes Exposure to regulated medical-device development Experience translating research algorithms into requirements for embedded implementation Close collaboration with experienced engineers and orthopedic surgeons Application: Please apply on Handshake . A portfolio (doesn’t have to be polished, can even be a slide deck!) is highly recommended . We want to see pictures of what you’ve built! What you’ll work on Build the next generation of surgical hammers Our main product is an orthopedic automatic hammer with an integrated sensor that tells the surgeon when to stop hammering. Right now they judge when to stop hammering based on feel, but overhammering can cause bone fractures and underhammering causes the implant to loosen over time. Interns will help solve real engineering challenges in mechanism design, prototyping, component selection, thermal management, and reducing weight and recoil. Help us integrate sensing/controls and prove reliability We’re integrating sensors to measure what happens during each impact and exploring whether those signals can identify when an implant has reached stable fixation. Interns may build test rigs and data-acquisition systems, run experiments, and analyze mechanical and sensor data. Turn a prototype into a medical device Surgical devices have to work reliably across different implants, bone conditions, loads, and repeated use. Our device must be manufacturable, sterilizable, reliable, serviceable, and intuitive to use in the operating room. Interns will contribute to DFM/DFA, reliability and verification testing, design iteration, and the engineering decisions required to move from prototype to production. Join a tight-knit intern cohort that’s passionate about solving hard problems and improving patient care. OrthoIQ Inc. Contact exec@orthoiqinc.com (818) 813-1880