Job Experience

NAVAIR EPSEF Internship Experience

During my internship at NAVAIR's Electrical Power Systems and Environmental Facility (EPSEF), I have gained valuable hands-on experience in electrical engineering, aircraft systems, generator testing, and environmental testing. This opportunity has allowed me to apply skills I have learned through my engineering education to real-world aerospace and defense projects and develop a better understanding of how engineering is used to test and evaluate aircraft systems.

One of the most valuable parts of my experience has been working with aircraft electrical power systems and generators associated with platforms such as the UH-1Y, UH-1Z, F/A-18, and F-35. I have participated in generator testing by using wire taps to measure AC and DC electrical output and taking thermal readings to monitor system performance. While I have not personally performed testing on an F/A-18 or F-35 aircraft, I have gained experience testing generators for these aircraft within our facility. This experience has helped me better understand aircraft electrical power systems and the importance of accurate testing and data collection.

I have also gained experience with environmental testing, where equipment is evaluated under different conditions that simulate real-world environments. I have been exposed to testing involving temperature, humidity, altitude, UV radiation, and simulated blowing rain. These tests have helped me understand how engineers evaluate equipment to ensure it can perform reliably under a variety of environmental conditions.

Another important skill I have developed is using Dewesoft for data acquisition, monitoring, and analysis. Through this experience, I have learned how test data is collected and used to evaluate the performance of engineering systems. I have also learned the importance of attention to detail, following testing procedures, working safely, and communicating effectively with engineers and technicians.

My experience at EPSEF has strengthened my interest in pursuing a career in electrical engineering, particularly in the aerospace and defense industry. I have been able to gain practical experience that I could not get from a classroom alone while working around real aircraft systems and supporting testing for multiple military aircraft platforms. This internship has helped me connect my education to real-world engineering applications and has given me a better understanding of the career I want to pursue in the future.