R&D Engineering Intern

Position Overview

Essential Functions

• Assist engineers with the design, development, prototyping, and testing of new conductor products and related components.
• Support product development projects involving conductor cores, aluminum conductors, insulation systems, hardware, tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing equipment.
• Assist with laboratory and production testing, including mechanical, dimensional, thermal, electrical, and material testing.
• Help prepare test samples, fixtures, equipment, and instrumentation for engineering evaluations.
• Collect, organize, and analyze test and production data using Excel and other engineering tools.
• Support engineering trials on manufacturing equipment and document process parameters, observations, and results.
• Assist with troubleshooting product, process, tooling, and equipment issues.
• Support the design and modification of mechanical fixtures, tooling, test setups, and prototype components.
• Create or update engineering drawings, test procedures, work instructions, bills of materials, and technical reports.
• Conduct technical research related to materials, manufacturing processes, equipment, standards, and emerging technologies.
• Work with Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, and suppliers to support prototype builds and engineering trials.
• Document experimental results and summarize findings for review by the engineering team.
• Participate in R&D project meetings, design reviews, testing activities, and continuous-improvement projects.
• Maintain organized engineering records, test data, samples, and project documentation.
• Follow company safety procedures and laboratory/manufacturing safety requirements.
• Perform other engineering and R&D support activities as assigned.

Other Skills/Abilities

• The successful candidate should demonstrate:
  • Hands-on problem-solving ability
  • Technical curiosity
  • Attention to detail
  • Analytical thinking
  • Mechanical aptitude
  • Willingness to work in both laboratory and manufacturing environments
  • Strong teamwork and communication
  • Ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities
  • Ability to clearly document engineering work and experimental results
  • Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement

Requirements / Training and Experience

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in:
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Materials Science or Materials Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechatronics Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • or a related engineering discipline.
• Strong interest in product development, manufacturing, testing, and hands-on engineering.
• Basic understanding of engineering principles, mechanical systems, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to analyze data and solve technical problems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and willing to learn.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Creo, Inventor, or similar.
• Experience with engineering drawings, GD&T, or basic mechanical design.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment, machine tools, manufacturing equipment, or engineering projects.
• Familiarity with mechanical testing such as tensile, bending, compression, fatigue, or dimensional testing.
• Familiarity with composite materials, carbon fiber, aluminum, polymers, extrusion, pultrusion, or wire and cable manufacturing.
• Experience with data acquisition, sensors, PLCs, instrumentation, or automation systems is a plus.
• Experience using Python, MATLAB, Minitab, or similar engineering/data-analysis software is a plus.
• Previous internship, research laboratory, Formula SAE, robotics, engineering club, or hands-on project experience is preferred.

Internship Learning Opportunities

• New product development
• Advanced conductor technologies
• Composite materials and manufacturing
• Mechanical and electrical testing
• Prototype development
• Manufacturing process development
• Pultrusion, extrusion, stranding, and related manufacturing processes
• Tooling and fixture design
• Engineering drawings and specifications
• Design of experiments and engineering data analysis
• Root-cause analysis and troubleshooting
• Production equipment and automation
• Supplier and cross-functional engineering collaboration
• Engineering project management
• Transitioning new technologies from R&D into manufacturing

Work Environment

This position requires regular interaction with manufacturing personnel and time spent on the production floor. The intern must be comfortable working in a hands-on manufacturing environment, following company policies and procedures, and supporting projects under the direction of a team leader or supervisor.