Hayden Flo ‘26 Gains Technical and Business Experience at Analog Devices Internship

Hayden Flo ’26, a computer engineering major, interned at Analog Devices in Massachusetts, where he developed a forecasting tool for aerospace and defense customers. The experience gave him technical skills, business insight and valuable mentorship.

Hayden Flo ‘26, a computer engineering major spent the summer at Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) in Wilmington, MA, near Boston, working in the aerospace and defense vertical. While he was the only intern in his specific group, he was part of a larger cohort of roughly 40 interns across marketing and engineering, 80–90% of whom were engineers. Hayden described the experience as “phenomenal,” noting that the city of Boston and its energetic, outgoing environment made the summer both professionally and personally rewarding.

Hayden first connected with ADI at the ECE Career Fair, where a conversation with company representatives led to an interview and, ultimately, the internship offer. He said the career fair was a great opportunity to explore different companies, ask questions and make a direct impression on potential employers.

A major takeaway from his internship was the degree of cross-collaboration between teams. Hayden observed that success in his role required communication with not only his own team, but also the supply chain, operations, product line engineers and leadership. He reflected that being open and honest is vital — people are understanding, and sometimes things are out of your control. A great part of being with so many interns outside of your main vertical, he said, was the chance to learn vicariously through others.

His primary project involved developing a Python-based forecasting tool for aerospace and defense customers. The tool analyzed historical customer data, identified opportunities to strengthen forecasting, and presented actionable insights in a visual format. This project emphasized the importance of connecting technical solutions to broader business objectives.

Hayden also embraced opportunities for hands-on learning through side-by-side experiences with field account managers at Raytheon. He explained, 

“Being in a more customer-facing, relationship-focused role where I get out of the office, talk to people and help drive technology instead of sitting behind a screen was definitely two thumbs up.”

He cited mentorship from Ben Rafla, a ADEF Field Engineer, and weekly guidance from his manager in Canada as instrumental to his growth. At the conclusion of the internship, Hayden delivered an hour-long presentation on his forecasting tool, detailing potential revenue opportunities for ADI.

Looking back, Hayden emphasized the mindset that made the experience impactful:

“The best way to learn is to throw yourself into situations where you don’t have all the answers and see what happens.”

Hayden’s advice for future interns emphasizes engagement and openness: meet as many people as possible, learn from others, and embrace the environment around you. He noted that internships are not solely about work, but about building relationships and personal growth.