About Us

At Basis, we’re not just building a company - we’re building the future. We’re redesigning the electrical systems that power our homes to fight climate change, reduce household costs, and create a better future for generations to come. That means rethinking everything, not just what we build, but how we build it.

To do this, we need incredible people. People who are bold, creative, sharp, and thoughtful. People who care. People who move fast and think differently. That’s where you come in.

The Role

At Basis, we are advancing research into how synthetic data can be used to safely and efficiently test advanced electrical safety mechanisms. This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of a novel system for generating synthetic electrical signal data, enabling the replication of events that are otherwise difficult or impractical to reproduce in a lab.

As part of our R&D team, the student will gain hands-on experience in data modelling, signal processing, and experimental validation, while helping accelerate our ability to design high-integrity fault detection systems. This role is ideal for someone who is curious, technically driven, and eager to apply their skills in a real-world setting where innovation directly impacts product robustness and safety.

Some of the things that you might be involved in include:

• Applying data modeling and statistical validation to build and refine models that generate synthetic electrical signal data, and statistically compare them with real-world datasets.
• Explore the underlying science that establishes real-world variance, such as in Paschen's law, corona formation physics, electromagnetics and the dielectrics of materials.
• Develop simulation and signal processing scripts using Python and relevant scientific libraries to model and manipulate electrical signal waveforms.
• Explore methods for synthesizing test data from existing physical measurements and mathematical models, ensuring results align with real-world observations.
• Support experimental design and validation by helping to create experiments or test routines that benchmark synthetic data against known-good physical data.
• Communicate technical work effectively through regular team updates and documentation, clearly presenting assumptions, results, and uncertainties.

Kindly note; internships typically run from November - February to coincide with the summer holidays. However, if you have completed your studies in the last 12 months and could start sooner then we can accommodate an earlier start date as long as you meet the Callaghan Experience Grant criteria (see here for more information).

About You

We think you’ll be a fit for this role if you have the following skills or experience:

• Working towards or recently completed a degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field. (Please note; we are looking for students at 2nd Prof/3rd year or above with excellent grades in maths papers)
• Strong Python programming skills, with experience in libraries such as NumPy, SciPy, or Pandas.
• Strong mathematics skills including statistical methods for data validation and comparison, and the modelling of variance.
• Understanding of electrical simulation techniques and software.
• Strong physics understanding or keen interest in areas such as electromagnetics, Paschen's Law, plasma formation.
• Ability to design and interpret experiments or test routines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on clarity and documentation.
• Curiosity, problem-solving mindset, and eagerness to contribute in a collaborative team environment.

Research shows that while men apply for jobs when they meet ~ 60% of the job criteria, women and other marginalised groups tend to apply only when they check every box. So if you think you have what it takes, but are not sure you check every box, we still want to hear from you 🙌

Benefits

• Laptop, headphones, etc provided for your internship
• Flexible hours - we focus on effort and outcomes, so adjust your hours around your children, hobbies, or other commitments
• Opportunity to attend office events during your internship
• Two-week break at Christmas for you to rest and recharge
• Office dogs
• A chance to work with some of the brightest, most exceptional engineers in NZ on a challenging and stimulating project!

Let's Talk!

We’d love to hear from you! No need to submit a cover letter - just click 'apply' to answer a few short questions of ours (we find this gives us more insight) and attach your CV.

If you have any questions about the role, fire them over to Steph or Jess at talent@wearebasis.com

Department

Engineering

Role

Internship

Locations

Christchurch

Employment type

Internship

Hybrid - Office/WFH

Yes