R&D Engineering Intern

Position Overview

We are seeking a motivated and hands-on R&D Intern to support our Research & Development team in the development, testing, and improvement of advanced conductor products, manufacturing processes, and related technologies.

This internship provides an opportunity to gain practical engineering experience in product development, mechanical design, manufacturing, testing, data analysis, and technical documentation. The intern will work closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams to support engineering projects from initial concept through prototyping, testing, and production implementation.

The ideal candidate is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field and is interested in hands-on engineering and product development.

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.