Mechanical Engineering Technician Internships
Mechanical engineering technician internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working alongside working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings cover Manufacturing, Automotive, and Consulting & Professional Services, with Cleveland-Cliffs, Jacobs, and WSP among the employers posting roles now.
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We're building safety-enhancing technology for aviation that will save lives. Automated aviation systems will enable a future where air transportation is safer, more convenient and fundamentally transformative to the way goods — and eventually people — move around the planet. We are a team of mission-driven engineers with experience across aerospace, robotics and self-driving cars working to make this future a reality.
As a Mechanical Engineering Intern at Reliable Robotics, you will be a part of the Mechanical Engineering team. This is a small team of highly motivated people designing, testing, and flying advanced mechanical systems. We enjoy cradle-to-grave hardware ownership and hands-on build, test, and integration of our designs. The position will be located at our facility in Mountain View, California, reporting to the mechanical engineering manager.
Responsibilities
In your role as a mechanical intern, you will own at least one project from early conceptual design to installation on the development aircraft. Our intention is for mechanical interns to experience the full hardware development cycle, and all intern projects are high priority and value-added efforts contributing to our automated flight systems.
Basic Success Criteria
Junior or Senior standing in 4-year college degree program in mechanical engineering or equivalent practical experience
Solid understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals - statics, dynamics, and materials
Experience in NX or similar CAD software and Simcenter or similar FEA packages
A demonstrated passion for mechanical or electromechanical hardware
Preferred Success Criteria
Hands on application of mechanical systems through classes, clubs, or hobbies
Experience applying both hand calcs and FEM to predict failure modes
Ability to design, build, and operate mechanical test stands
Excellent measurement, technical writing, and data analysis skills
Eagerness to both teach and learn
This position requires access to information that is subject to U.S. export controls. An offer of employment will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to perform in compliance with U.S. export control laws.
All applicants are asked to provide documentation that legally establishes status as a U.S. person or non-U.S. person (and nationalities in the case of a non-U.S. person). Where the applicant is not a U.S. person, meaning not a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident, (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or not otherwise permitted to access the export-controlled technology without U.S. government authorization, the Company reserves the right not to apply for an export license for such applicants whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code requires authorization and may decline to proceed with the application process and any offer of employment on that basis.
At Reliable Robotics, our goal is to be a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, ancestry, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability or medical conditions, national origin, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other basis covered by applicable law. All employment and promotion is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to work@reliable.co
Compensation Range: $105K
Mechanical Engineering Technician Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- Cleveland-Cliffs14

- Jacobs13

- WSP12

- Salas O'Brien12

- Stantec11

Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing17
- Automotive9
- Consulting & Professional Services5
- Science & Research2
- Technology & Software2
Tips for Your Mechanical Engineering Technician Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think necessary
Large manufacturers, defense contractors, and engineering firms open summer intern recruiting the preceding fall, often filling cohorts before spring semester starts. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so check openings consistently rather than waiting for a single seasonal window.
Build a portfolio before you need one
Hiring teams for mechanical engineering technician interns expect limited work history and assess your ability through evidence instead. Document two or three complete projects showing CAD models, design drawings, test setups, or lab analyses, naming the tools used, such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD, so recruiters can evaluate your skills directly.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured intern 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 fairs.
Practice your technical screen out loud before applying
Mechanical engineering technician intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering applied mechanics, materials concepts, measurement tools, or design problem-solving. Practice walking through your reasoning aloud on sample problems, since interviewers weigh how you think through a challenge as much as whether you arrive at the correct answer.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Larger engineering and manufacturing firms run formal internship cohorts designed to train people new to the field, rotating interns across fabrication, testing, and design functions. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and often convert to full-time roles at higher rates, so identify the ones that fit your discipline and apply in the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 60% of the mechanical engineering technician internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before you start reviewing listings, then filter by location and work type so you're not sorting through roles you cannot take.
Mechanical Engineering Technician Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mechanical engineering technician internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A design or CAD portfolio gives recruiters something concrete to assess for mechanical engineering technician candidates. Apply directly to companies posting openings and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often make decisions faster for students they meet in person.
Can a mechanical engineering technician internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and understanding when the employer makes return-offer decisions. Position yourself by contributing visibly and expressing continued interest early, without assuming the offer will come automatically.
When should I apply for mechanical engineering technician internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers, including government contractors and manufacturing firms, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before spring semester begins. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so mechanical engineering technician internship openings appear year-round and reward consistent searching rather than a single seasonal push.
Are mechanical engineering technician internships paid?
Most professional mechanical engineering technician internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid arrangements are uncommon at established employers but do appear occasionally at smaller firms or through academic co-op arrangements tied to course credit.
What should a mechanical engineering technician internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Highlight two or three complete, documented projects showing the tools and software used, such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or MATLAB, and link to or reference a design portfolio or CAD sample set so recruiters can assess the work directly. Add relevant coursework in mechanics, materials, or instrumentation and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote mechanical engineering technician internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 40% of the mechanical engineering technician internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Because hands-on lab and equipment work is central to many mechanical engineering technician roles, remote cohorts tend to fill quickly when they appear. Apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get mechanical engineering technician 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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