Mechanical Engineer Internships
Mechanical 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 and Food & Beverage lead in internship volume, with Tesla, L3Harris, and Dennis among the employers posting roles now.
Find Mechanical Engineer InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 49+ Mechanical Engineer Internships
Dennis Group’s Mechanical Engineers design and implement mechanical systems as part of a broad engineering and architectural team in designing and building food and beverage production facilities. Specifically, HVAC, plumbing / utility, and fire suppression systems. Our mechanical team is involved with designing the mechanical systems, calculating space heat and cooling loads, determining and selecting equipment sizes, and vetting and selecting suitable vendors, suppliers, and sub-contractors. Mechanical Engineers will have technical responsibility for scoping, performing, and delivering multiple concurrent project assignments. You will be a member of our mechanical department and your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
Responsibilities
- Perform heating and cooling load calculations.
- Perform code reviews for HVAC/plumbing/fire protection designs.
- Perform mass energy balance calculations.
- Perform drainage and line loss calculations.
- Perform flow test (hydrant or other) analysis.
- Sanitary design considerations (layouts, process exhaust).
- PID Drafting.
- Bid packages: equipment and sub-contractor – bid list, scope of work, milestone schedule.
- Create mechanical schedules.
- Vendor shop inspection / FAT.
- Develop HVAC, plant utility, plumbing, and fire suppression systems.
- Assist in mechanical system design development and coordinate with other internal and external team members.
- Develop Mechanical / Utility equipment and construction specifications
- Develop P&ID’s, equipment layout plans, plant / process utility distribution plans, and system details
- Size and develop layouts for ductwork and piping plans.
- Assist with the development of the building management system (BMS) controls, details, and plans with electrical and controls engineers.
- Create project documents such as calculations, reports, and construction drawings and specifications, etc.
- Fixture selection
- Perform construction administration in the form of submittal reviews, RFI responses, and field visits to verify construction scope is proceeding per the intent of the design.
- Research mechanical / utility materials and best practices
- Support talent growth within our organization
About You
- Sophomore, Junior, or Senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
- HVAC and/or Utilities design experience is a plus.
- Familiarity with heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics
- Experience working with computer operations for engineering design programs and computer aided drafting is preferable (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.).
- Understanding of the fundamental basics of performing calculations in areas of energy, drainage, line loss, etc.
- Past Mechanical experience in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or other sanitary environments is a plus.
- Have a motivated and results orientated attitude.
- Willing to travel to project sites – 25%
- GPA: 3.0 or above
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift-up to 15 pounds at times.
Travel Requirement
- 10-25% travel required to visit project site and other offices.
About Us
We plan, design, engineer, and build food plants for major brands across the country and the world. For the past three decades, we’ve focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry, helping your favorite brands put your favorite foods in the grocery store. Simply put, food isn’t one thing we do, it’s all we do.
Dennis Group offers competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience. We provide comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off including an open vacation policy, as well as bonus, profit-sharing, and retirement plans.
Dennis Group is proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Dennis Group’s Mechanical Engineers design and implement mechanical systems as part of a broad engineering and architectural team in designing and building food and beverage production facilities. Specifically, HVAC, plumbing / utility, and fire suppression systems. Our mechanical team is involved with designing the mechanical systems, calculating space heat and cooling loads, determining and selecting equipment sizes, and vetting and selecting suitable vendors, suppliers, and sub-contractors. Mechanical Engineers will have technical responsibility for scoping, performing, and delivering multiple concurrent project assignments. You will be a member of our mechanical department and your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
Responsibilities
- Perform heating and cooling load calculations.
- Perform code reviews for HVAC/plumbing/fire protection designs.
- Perform mass energy balance calculations.
- Perform drainage and line loss calculations.
- Perform flow test (hydrant or other) analysis.
- Sanitary design considerations (layouts, process exhaust).
- PID Drafting.
- Bid packages: equipment and sub-contractor – bid list, scope of work, milestone schedule.
- Create mechanical schedules.
- Vendor shop inspection / FAT.
- Develop HVAC, plant utility, plumbing, and fire suppression systems.
- Assist in mechanical system design development and coordinate with other internal and external team members.
- Develop Mechanical / Utility equipment and construction specifications
- Develop P&ID’s, equipment layout plans, plant / process utility distribution plans, and system details
- Size and develop layouts for ductwork and piping plans.
- Assist with the development of the building management system (BMS) controls, details, and plans with electrical and controls engineers.
- Create project documents such as calculations, reports, and construction drawings and specifications, etc.
- Fixture selection
- Perform construction administration in the form of submittal reviews, RFI responses, and field visits to verify construction scope is proceeding per the intent of the design.
- Research mechanical / utility materials and best practices
- Support talent growth within our organization
About You
- Sophomore, Junior, or Senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
- HVAC and/or Utilities design experience is a plus.
- Familiarity with heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics
- Experience working with computer operations for engineering design programs and computer aided drafting is preferable (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.).
- Understanding of the fundamental basics of performing calculations in areas of energy, drainage, line loss, etc.
- Past Mechanical experience in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or other sanitary environments is a plus.
- Have a motivated and results orientated attitude.
- Willing to travel to project sites – 25%
- GPA: 3.0 or above
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift-up to 15 pounds at times.
Travel Requirement
- 10-25% travel required to visit project site and other offices.
About Us
We plan, design, engineer, and build food plants for major brands across the country and the world. For the past three decades, we’ve focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry, helping your favorite brands put your favorite foods in the grocery store. Simply put, food isn’t one thing we do, it’s all we do.
Dennis Group offers competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience. We provide comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off including an open vacation policy, as well as bonus, profit-sharing, and retirement plans.
Dennis Group is proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Mechanical Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
Tips for Your Mechanical Engineer Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer roles
Large engineering and manufacturing employers open summer internship applications the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August. If you wait until spring, the structured cohort programs are often already closed. Smaller companies and co-ops post closer to start dates, so keep checking through the year.
Build a CAD or design portfolio now
At the intern level, a portfolio replaces work history. Document two or three projects end-to-end, include your CAD models, engineering drawings, simulation outputs, or lab results, and note the tools you used. Recruiters for mechanical engineer internships want to see how you work through a real problem, not just that you completed coursework.
Work the campus network and apply directly
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors and 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, it widens the pool you reach and puts you in front of hiring managers who don't attend campus events.
Practice your technical screen out loud
Mechanical engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering statics, dynamics, materials, or engineering design problems, plus questions about your projects. Practice explaining your reasoning out loud, not just arriving at an answer, interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you get it right.
Target rotational and university programs early
Many large manufacturers and engineering firms run structured rotational or university internship programs designed specifically for students new to the field. These cohorts recruit on fixed timelines, often in the fall, and fill fast. Identify the programs that match your discipline and apply in the first wave rather than treating them like rolling openings.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 94% of the mechanical engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to, relocation, commute range, or fully remote, before you start sorting listings. Filtering by location and work type upfront keeps you from spending time on roles you can't actually take.
Mechanical Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mechanical engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For mechanical engineer candidates, a CAD or design portfolio gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a mechanical engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for mechanical engineer interns is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and return-offer timing, decisions often come before the internship ends. Position for one by delivering strong work, but don't count on it as a fallback.
When should I apply for mechanical engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers recruit for summer cohorts the preceding fall, so applications for June starts can open as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to their start dates, which means new openings appear year-round. Check listings regularly rather than treating it as a single seasonal push.
Are mechanical engineer internships paid?
Most professional mechanical engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid internships exist but are far less common at engineering firms and manufacturers, and many are tied to academic credit arrangements.
What should a mechanical engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects naming the tools and software used, CAD files, design portfolios, lab reports, or simulation work give recruiters role-specific evidence to assess. Add relevant coursework, any certifications or technical training, and keep the resume to one page. Intern reviewers scan quickly.
Are there remote mechanical engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 6% of the mechanical engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw a national applicant pool, so apply early once you find a match and filter by work type to see them.
Can international students get mechanical 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.
See All 49 Mechanical Engineer Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mechanical Engineer Internships