R&D Mechanical Engineer Internships
R&d 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. Openings are concentrated in Manufacturing, with Novelis, Quantinuum, and Agility Robotics among the employers posting roles now.
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Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.
About the Job:
The ideal candidate is working toward a BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering and shows strong proficiency in ME fundamentals, as well as a desire to continuously investigate new technologies, tools, and processes. The candidate should have exposure to product design concepts and basic circuit theory. Familiarity with 3D CAD and manufacturing processes is beneficial. This role will utilize 3D design and analysis tools as well as hands-on equipment to build, verify, and fix prototypes. A strong candidate demonstrates clear communication abilities and is ready to join a spirited, high-impact and collaborative team.
About the Team:
- Apply mechanical engineering skillset to all phases of the product design process, including design, validation, prototyping, evaluation, and testing
- Perform analysis, and use simulation tools as well as simple electronic test and measurement equipment to debug and analyze prototypes
- Document design decisions, learnings, and test results
- Consult with organizations outside of R&D to ensure product designs meet marketing, manufacturing, and other business goals
- Work with suppliers to develop new processes to support design goals
- Working toward a BS or MS in ME or applicable experience and education
- Able to work independently with minimal supervision on challenging tasks
- Great aptitude for engineering analysis and solutions
- Experience using 3D CAD modeling tools
- Interest and aptitude in hands-on work required during the prototyping process. Comfort using hand tools (such as screwdrivers, files, soldering irons) and basic hacking and reworking processes
- Strong working knowledge of mechanical engineering calculations and principles
- Strong communication and planning skills required, and an ability to collaborate cross-functionally with a team-oriented mindset
- Passion to continuously investigate new technologies, tools, and processes and apply to instrument product design
- Basic understanding of material selection and manufacturing processes used in product design
Desired Qualifications:
- Working toward an MS in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent)
- Experience with mechanical simulation tools
- Some basic Electrical Engineering course work, and overall interest in electronic devices and systems
- Experience with machining, molding, soldering, circuit board fabrication and assembly processes
- Experience designing or working with small, tight tolerance electro-mechanical assemblies
- Basic understanding of RF shielding
- Experience with manufacturing process and quality control
- Basic understanding of Design For Manufacturability and Assembly principles
- PCB design experience involving collaboration with electrical engineers through the design life cycle
- Ability to perform hands-on measurements with VNAs, oscilloscopes and signal generators
This is a paid, full-time internship of approximately 12 weeks, based on-site at Keysight’s Colorado Springs, Colorado facility. On-site presence is required for access to instrument hardware and measurement lab facilities. Start and end dates are flexible around your academic calendar.
The level of role will be based on applicable experience, education and skills; most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary listed below.
Colorado Pay Range: MIN $29.65 - MAX $38.66
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Careers Privacy Statement***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***
R&D Mechanical Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
Tips for Your R&D Mechanical Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think necessary
Large employers open their summer intern recruiting the preceding fall, often closing cohorts months before the start date. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to when the role begins, so check for new openings regularly rather than treating it as a single seasonal push.
Build a portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for r&d mechanical engineer intern roles expect limited work history, so a CAD portfolio, documented prototype, or design write-up gives recruiters something concrete to evaluate. Document two or three projects with the tools used, the problem you solved, and where to view the output.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus 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 at the same time widens the pool you reach.
Practice the technical screen out loud
R&d mechanical engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering mechanical design principles, materials, or CAD problem-solving. Practice working through problems out loud and explaining your reasoning, because interviewers weigh how you think through a constraint as much as the final answer.
Target structured rotational and cohort programs early
Larger employers in aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturing run rotational engineering programs built to train people new to the field. These cohorts recruit early and fill fast, so identify the programs that fit your discipline, confirm their application windows, and apply in the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the r&d mechanical engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting, then filter by location and work type so you are spending time on roles you can actually take.
R&D Mechanical Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an r&d mechanical engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level, and a CAD portfolio or documented design project gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Apply directly to companies and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an r&d mechanical 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 r&d mechanical engineer interns is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and acting on return-offer conversations before you leave. Position yourself for one without counting on it.
When should I apply for r&d mechanical engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, so applications open months before the start date. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, which means openings appear year-round and checking regularly is worth the habit.
Are r&d mechanical engineer internships paid?
Most professional r&d mechanical engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, so there is no single standard. Where an employer discloses the range, it appears directly in the listing.
What should an r&d mechanical engineer 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 portfolio, design documentation, or prototype write-up so recruiters can assess your work directly. Add relevant coursework, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote r&d mechanical engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the r&d mechanical engineer 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 r&d 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.
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