Mechanical Designer Internships

Mechanical designer 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. Openings are concentrated in {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Introba, Garmin, and SSOE among the employers posting roles now.

Find Mechanical Designer Internships

Overview

Open roles6
Top stateMissouri
Top employerIntroba
Top citySt. Louis, MO
Work type75% Hybrid
Top credentialHigh school diploma or GED

Showing 5 of 6+ Mechanical Designer Internships

Intern, Mechanical Engineering Designer
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Added 2w ago
Intern, Mechanical Engineering Designer
Introba
St. Louis, Missouri
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$23 - $28/hr
Hybrid
1,001-5,000

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Intern, Mechanical Engineering Designer
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Added 2w ago
Intern, Mechanical Engineering Designer
Introba
Sherman Oaks, California
Business Analysis
Consulting & Professional Services
Project Management
$20 - $30/hr
Hybrid
1,001-5,000

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Intern, Mechanical Engineering Designer (Fire Protection Designer)
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Added 2w ago
Intern, Mechanical Engineering Designer (Fire Protection Designer)
Introba
St. Louis, Missouri
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$23 - $28/hr
Hybrid
1,001-5,000

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Mechanical Designer Part-Time Internship
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Added 2mo ago
Mechanical Designer Part-Time Internship
SSOE Group
Phoenix, Arizona
Cloud & DevOps
Cloud Engineering
IT Support
Systems Administration
$21 - $23/hr
On-Site
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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Mechanical Designer Intern
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Added 2mo ago
Mechanical Designer Intern
Garmin
Olathe, Kansas
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
Associate's degree in mechanical engineering technology
10,000+

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Mechanical Designer Internship Market

Who's Hiring

Introba3 open roles
Garmin1 open role
SSOE1 open role

Tips for Your Mechanical Designer Internship Search

Apply months before the internship starts

Large manufacturers and engineering firms recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with application windows opening in September and October. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to start dates. Check openings regularly so you catch both cycles and don't miss early deadlines.

Build a CAD portfolio before you apply

Hiring teams at the intern level care more about documented project work than work history. Compile two or three complete design projects that show your CAD software, materials choices, and design decisions. A linked portfolio or PDF gives recruiters something concrete to assess before they even read your resume.

Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time

Career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and catches openings that never appear at a fair.

Practice the technical screen out loud before your first interview

Mechanical designer intern screens typically involve a technical conversation covering design principles, materials, tolerances, and sometimes a sketching or CAD exercise. Practice explaining your reasoning as you work through problems, since interviewers weigh how you think through tradeoffs as much as the final answer you land on.

Target structured rotational and university programs first

Many large engineering and manufacturing companies run formal intern cohorts designed to train people new to the field, rotating participants across product, manufacturing, or systems teams. These programs recruit early and fill fast, so identify the ones that match your interests and get applications in during the first wave.

Set your work-type filter before you start searching

On-site roles are 25% of the mechanical designer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through listings. Filter by location and work type upfront so you spend your time on roles you can actually take.

Mechanical Designer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a mechanical designer internship?

Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history. Hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level, so the concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a CAD or design portfolio showing real, documented work. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.

Can a mechanical designer internship turn into a full-time job?

Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it most is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest before the return-offer window closes. Position for one by treating every deliverable seriously, without counting on conversion as a given.

When should I apply for mechanical designer internships?

Earlier than most students expect. Large employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, so applications at major manufacturers and engineering firms open in September and October. Smaller companies, co-op programs, and spring or fall terms post much closer to start dates, which means openings appear year-round and checking regularly pays off.

Are mechanical designer internships paid?

Most professional mechanical designer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, so there is no single standard. Listings show pay where the employer chooses to disclose it, giving you a clear signal before you apply.

What should a mechanical designer internship resume include?

Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools used and link to or reference a CAD or design portfolio where recruiters can see the actual work. Add relevant coursework, software proficiencies, and any lab or hands-on experience. Keep the whole document to one page.

Are there remote mechanical designer internships?

Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 75% of the mechanical designer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.

Can international students get mechanical designer 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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