Mechanical Design Engineer Internships
Mechanical design engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Manufacturing, Technology & Software, and Electronics & Hardware lead in internship volume, with Tesla, Bosch, and Vertiv among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 4 of 17+ Mechanical Design Engineer Internships
Our Internship and New College Graduate program is best designed for those students who seek a truly immersive and hands-on experience. At Southland, we view every student as a potential hire and ensure each intern, co-op student, and every new college graduate is truly set up for success to accomplish short and long term career goals. If a student program that exposes you to exciting projects and potential career paths with one of the country’s largest MEP building systems firms appeals to you and you're ready for the next big step in your career, then JOIN our team and become a part of an organization that values PEOPLE, SAFETY, INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY.
Position Summary
Watch your engineering designs come to life! As a Design Engineer at Southland Industries, you'll experience the excitement of working on design-build and design-assist projects in healthcare, education, biotech, mission critical, commercial and entertainment markets. You’ll work hand in hand with our model coordinators, estimators, and trade staff through all aspects of a project to create a design that is practical, efficient and cost effective. You’ll also have access to internal teams using the most innovative practices in virtual construction design (VDC) and computational fluid dynamics, along with just-in-time feedback from the field.
Position Details
- Performs basic deliverables and products such as calculations, drawings, and specifications related to heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems under supervision of Senior Engineers.
- Performs basic calculations for a project, such as heating/cooling loads, equipment selection and sizing, friction loss calculations, etc.
- Assist in coordinating all aspects of the project design with project management, architects, and other trades through the completion phase of a project.
- Perform and check CADD drafting work.
Qualifications
- Basic Knowledge of applicable systems design, such as HVAC, plumbing, etc.
- Basic ability to read mechanical and plumbing plans.
- Good verbal and written communications skills.
- Good computer skills, including CADD and Microsoft Office Products, such as Excel.
What you’ll gain from our Student Programs at Southland Industries:
- You’ll increase your knowledge of HVAC design to include types of equipment utilized in the industry as well as general understanding of system operations (i.e. variable air, constant volume, refrigeration cycle.)
- You’ll have the ability to communicate with all levels of management, including project management and field trades.
- You’ll learn to read mechanical and plumbing plans.
- You’ll be able to strengthen your general business writing skills and gain additional experience with CADD and other products.
Internship/Co-op Program Benefits:
- Hands-on classroom and on-the-job experience in your specific role
- Opportunity to work side by side with company leaders
- Socially distant group activities and team events
- Paid housing (some locations)
- Paid internship/Co-op
- Potential full-time employment opportunities
Full-time Employee Benefits
As a 100% employee-owned company, we offer a comprehensive benefits package for you and your family:
- 401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)
- Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability
- Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance
- Disability income protection insurance
- Pre-tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)
- Paid parental leave
- Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time
- Training/professional development opportunities and company-paid memberships for professional associations and licenses
- Wellness benefits
About Southland Industries
As one of the nation’s largest MEP companies, Southland Industries is built on the foundation of great people. Since 1949, we have put our people first, enabling growth, professional achievement, and innovation. If you want to join a fast-paced environment where you’re engaged, challenged, and valued, apply now to join our dynamic team.
To learn more about careers at Southland, explore our career opportunities, follow us on social media, and check out our website.
Southland Industries and all its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing our employees with a safe work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Southland Industries are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, gender identity, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Southland Industries will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
Contingent Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful drug tests, background checks, and professional reference checks. Roles that include driving as an essential job duty will be required to have a successful Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR). We are not able to offer sponsorship of employment at this time.
External Agency Announcement: Its Southland Industries' policy not to accept candidate submissions from recruiting agencies without an active and authorized work order. Candidate ownership can only be established after a bona fide work order is issued by a member of the Southland Industries Talent Acquisition team and the candidate is appropriately submitted through our Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Our Internship and New College Graduate program is best designed for those students who seek a truly immersive and hands-on experience. At Southland, we view every student as a potential hire and ensure each intern, co-op student, and every new college graduate is truly set up for success to accomplish short and long term career goals. If a student program that exposes you to exciting projects and potential career paths with one of the country’s largest MEP building systems firms appeals to you and you're ready for the next big step in your career, then JOIN our team and become a part of an organization that values PEOPLE, SAFETY, INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY.
Position Summary
Watch your engineering designs come to life! As a Design Engineer at Southland Industries, you'll experience the excitement of working on design-build and design-assist projects in healthcare, education, biotech, mission critical, commercial and entertainment markets. You’ll work hand in hand with our model coordinators, estimators, and trade staff through all aspects of a project to create a design that is practical, efficient and cost effective. You’ll also have access to internal teams using the most innovative practices in virtual construction design (VDC) and computational fluid dynamics, along with just-in-time feedback from the field.
Position Details
- Performs basic deliverables and products such as calculations, drawings, and specifications related to heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems under supervision of Senior Engineers.
- Performs basic calculations for a project, such as heating/cooling loads, equipment selection and sizing, friction loss calculations, etc.
- Assist in coordinating all aspects of the project design with project management, architects, and other trades through the completion phase of a project.
- Perform and check CADD drafting work.
Qualifications
- Basic Knowledge of applicable systems design, such as HVAC, plumbing, etc.
- Basic ability to read mechanical and plumbing plans.
- Good verbal and written communications skills.
- Good computer skills, including CADD and Microsoft Office Products, such as Excel.
What you’ll gain from our Student Programs at Southland Industries:
- You’ll increase your knowledge of HVAC design to include types of equipment utilized in the industry as well as general understanding of system operations (i.e. variable air, constant volume, refrigeration cycle.)
- You’ll have the ability to communicate with all levels of management, including project management and field trades.
- You’ll learn to read mechanical and plumbing plans.
- You’ll be able to strengthen your general business writing skills and gain additional experience with CADD and other products.
Internship/Co-op Program Benefits:
- Hands-on classroom and on-the-job experience in your specific role
- Opportunity to work side by side with company leaders
- Socially distant group activities and team events
- Paid housing (some locations)
- Paid internship/Co-op
- Potential full-time employment opportunities
Full-time Employee Benefits
As a 100% employee-owned company, we offer a comprehensive benefits package for you and your family:
- 401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)
- Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability
- Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance
- Disability income protection insurance
- Pre-tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)
- Paid parental leave
- Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time
- Training/professional development opportunities and company-paid memberships for professional associations and licenses
- Wellness benefits
About Southland Industries
As one of the nation’s largest MEP companies, Southland Industries is built on the foundation of great people. Since 1949, we have put our people first, enabling growth, professional achievement, and innovation. If you want to join a fast-paced environment where you’re engaged, challenged, and valued, apply now to join our dynamic team.
To learn more about careers at Southland, explore our career opportunities, follow us on social media, and check out our website.
Southland Industries and all its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing our employees with a safe work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Southland Industries are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, gender identity, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Southland Industries will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
Contingent Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful drug tests, background checks, and professional reference checks. Roles that include driving as an essential job duty will be required to have a successful Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR). We are not able to offer sponsorship of employment at this time.
External Agency Announcement: Its Southland Industries' policy not to accept candidate submissions from recruiting agencies without an active and authorized work order. Candidate ownership can only be established after a bona fide work order is issued by a member of the Southland Industries Talent Acquisition team and the candidate is appropriately submitted through our Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Mechanical Design Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
Tips for Your Mechanical Design Engineer Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer internships
Large aerospace, automotive, and industrial employers open summer mechanical design engineer internship applications as early as August or September. Waiting until spring means many cohort seats are already filled. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so check back regularly throughout the year.
Build a design portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for mechanical design engineer internships expect limited work history, so your CAD models, design project files, and engineering coursework projects are your proof. Document two or three complete projects with the software used, the design problem, and the outcome, then link the portfolio in your resume and application.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time so you are reaching employers who never come to campus.
Practice the mechanical design engineer intern technical screen out loud
Many mechanical design engineer intern interviews include a technical screen covering statics, materials, or a design challenge, sometimes combined with questions about your projects. Practice explaining your reasoning out loud, not just arriving at an answer, because interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as the final result.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Large manufacturers and engineering firms run formal rotational or university intern programs built to train people new to the field. These programs recruit in the first wave of fall recruiting and fill fast. Identify the ones that match your discipline, check their application windows, and apply before general recruiting opens.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the mechanical design engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before searching so you are not sorting through roles you cannot take. Filter by location and work type first, then apply to the openings that actually fit your situation.
Mechanical Design Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mechanical design engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A CAD or design portfolio gives recruiters something concrete to assess your mechanical skills. Apply directly to companies posting openings and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster with students they meet in person.
Can a mechanical design engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for mechanical design engineer interns is consistent performance on real project work, whether the team has open headcount, and hitting the return-offer conversation early before the internship ends. Position for one without counting on it, and keep other applications active.
When should I apply for mechanical design engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers recruit their summer intern cohorts the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Applying as soon as a role posts gives you the best chance before cohort seats fill.
Are mechanical design engineer internships paid?
Most professional mechanical design engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show the range where the employer discloses it. Unpaid arrangements are uncommon in industry settings outside certain academic or nonprofit contexts.
What should a mechanical design engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools used, the problem solved, and a link to the work, whether that is a CAD portfolio, a design case study, or a GitHub repository with engineering files. Add relevant coursework in mechanics, materials, or CAD software, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote mechanical design engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the mechanical design engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast since they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early. Filter by work type to see only remote or hybrid listings before sorting through everything else.
Can international students get mechanical design engineer internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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