Electrical & Electronics Engineering Internship – Rift Innovations LabPosition: Electrical & Electronics Engineering InternLocation: Rift Innovations Lab HQ, Wula road, Nairobi, KenyaReports To: Senior Engineering ConsultantEmployment Type: 3-month full-time Internship, On-siteQualified interns may be offered a full-time position.
About Rift Innovations LabRIFT Innovation Lab is an Africa-based engineering startup on a mission to build Africa's future — from concept to market. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, we bring together mechanical, electrical, embedded systems, and software engineers to design, prototype, and commercialize products built for African conditions and by African ecosystems. Our work spans electromechanics, power electronics, IoT, cold chain, and digital platforms, with end-to-end systems integration at our core.
We don't just build prototypes — we take ideas all the way from human-centered design research to field-tested MVPs and manufacturing-ready products. Our track record includes partnering with a global automotive OEM to co-develop a next-generation electric mobility ecosystem for Africa, going from a blank-sheet concept to a fully functional, field-tested prototype and service blueprint in under two years. We move fast, work hands-on, and engineer solutions that are locally manufacturable, frugal, and scalable across the Global South and beyond.
As part of our R&D team in Nairobi, we are seeking a paid Electrical & Electronics Engineering Intern to contribute to the design, development, and optimization of our e-mobility solutions through sourcing, testing, integration, and maintenance of electric motors, controllers, and IoT solutions. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in Kenya’s growing e-mobility industry and work alongside leading engineers in the field.
Key ResponsibilitiesBuild Prototype Vehicles, including electric kei trucks and electric three-wheelers Work on building brand new prototype vehicles, or electrify existing vehicles: Understand engineering documentation, perform benchtop testing of the electric powertrain, install the powertrain and test it in situ, configure settings for the specific vehicle Test, quality control, and optimize the electric motor powertrains and controllers: read instruction manuals, and implement test setups. Test and qualify automotive battery systems: understand battery specifications, perform battery charge and discharge tests following test instructions, summarize and present results in MS Excel Prototyping & Product Development: Help brainstorm electrical designs for benchtop testing and qualification of electrical components. Build first-hand prototypes of electrical systems for use in bench testing and vehicles. Participate in converting concepts into prototypes and scaling them into commercial products. Assist in designing electrical schematics and PCB layouts for new product iterations. Identify failure modes, find root causes, and develop robust resolutions to the problems Procure necessary components, or define required specifications for components and work with supply chain specialists in finding suitable components Qualified candidates may be invited to design their own PCBs under expert guidance Electrical Systems Development & Testing: Ideate, design, and implement electrical circuits to achieve a wide variety of goals: automated test setups, QC control systems, remote monitoring solutions Set up long-term automated tests of battery chargers Conduct bench testing and on-field performance analysis of electrical sub-systems to improve overall system efficiency and reliability. Ideate, design, and implement automated test setups with logging capability, document their use, and train personnel on test processes for quality control IoT Integration & Digital Systems: Work on embedded electronics and IoT applications, integrating CAN bus communication for real-time monitoring of vehicles and batteries. Collaborate with software engineers to develop sensor-based monitoring solutions for battery health, energy consumption, and predictive maintenance. Technical Documentation & Reporting: Develop detailed engineering documentation, assembly SOPs, schematics, and test reports. Provide insights for continuous product improvement and contribute to R&D decision-making. Proactive Team membership Work as part of an international team Be proactive on meetings, propose new ideas and solutions Propose efficiency and productivity-enhancing improvements Take initiative where improvement is needed Continuously train yourself
Qualifications & SkillsRequired:Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field from a leading university Second class honors or higher Outstanding electrical engineering fundamentals Hands-on prototyping skills, including PTH and SMT soldering, crimping, breadboarding, and working knowledge of electrical tools, common appliances, and devices (multimeter, oscilloscope, LCR meters, signal generators, etc.). Strong knowledge of electric motors, especially BLDC or PSMS motors. Working experience with embedded electronics and sensor integration. Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and PCB layouts. Proficiency in diagnostics, troubleshooting, and testing of electrical components and printed circuit boards. Mastery of MS Office, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint Extreme attention to detail Problem-solving skills: ability to diagnose and resolve previously unseen problems Ability to work autonomously: the ability to foresee all required steps, ask for help if needed, then perform all required steps Excellent written and oral communication skills Dependability: ability to deliver quality results in a reliable fashion Ability to quickly learn from written instructions and/or manuals Recordkeeping: ability to retain records of performed actions and results
Preferred:➕ Work experience at a fast-moving hardware startup. ➕ First class honors ➕ Exposure to power electronics, especially motor controllers ➕ Familiarity with communication protocols (such as CAN). ➕ Prior experience with embedded system and IoT development ➕ Experience designing PCBs ➕ Firmware development experience in embedded C and firsthand design experience with CAN bus communication protocol ➕ Hands-on experience with renewable energy systems, large lithium-ion battery packs (>1kWh), battery management systems, and charging infrastructure. ➕ Understanding of mechanical systems in electric vehicles. ➕ Experience with product development and product optimization.
Why Join Rift Innovations Lab?This role offers an exciting opportunity to grow within the rapidly evolving e-mobility sector, working at the intersection of renewable energy, IoT, and transportation technology in Africa. 🚗⚡ 🚀 Cutting-Edge Innovation: Work on next-generation electric mobility solutions that directly impact rural communities. ⚡ Hands-On Learning: Participate in the full product development cycle, from concept to commercial launch. 🌍 Sustainability & Impact: Contribute to an initiative that reduces emissions, promotes sustainable transport, and enhances rural productivity. 🤝 Collaborative Team: Work alongside experienced engineers, mechanics, and IoT specialists in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. How to Applyhttps://tally.so/r/68WqGB
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