What does a design engineer internship do?
When it comes to a design engineer internship, an intern is primarily responsible for performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a manager or a more experienced engineer. Their duties typically revolve around processing documents, updating records and populating databases, responding to inquiries and correspondence, running errands, sharing insights, and even participating in designing projects. Furthermore, as an intern, it is essential to report to the supervising manager and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
Design engineer internship responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real design engineer internship resumes:
- Engineer, manage and implement configuration and installation of complex Ethernet network backbones.
- Design and analyze new and existing parts for retrofit systems on various models of work over rigs using AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
- Strengthen skills in presentation, PowerPoint.
- Specialize in MOSFET switching circuits for powering/pulsing RF amplifiers.
- Present designs and concepts to engineering team using PowerPoint.
- Design large tonnage drilling equipment involving stress and FEA analysis.
- Design and draft HVAC systems in small and large scale residential projects.
- Design of truck seats, seat mountings, and body structural components using Unigraphics
- Incorporate MATLAB programming to image process bone and tissue scans to calculate mechanical properties.
- Mentore new engineers on design, CATIA, PIOS (manufacturing information database), and liaison engineering skills.
- Perform basic stress calculations on newly design parts and work with the internal FEA department when additional analysis are needed.
- Complete AutoCAD structural designs for project estimation and bidding.
- Develop and create drawings of truck assembly components for manufacturing using Unigraphics.
- Rebuilt/Repair computers, re-instal all versions of windows operating systems and software.
- Generate reports and analyze HVAC performance data to identify issues and improvement opportunities.
Design engineer internship skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Design Engineer Interns are proficient in Python, RF, and C++. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Design Engineer Interns that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 9%
Developed a python GUI as an interface for testing, data-logging and monitoring data of sensor module.
- RF, 7%
Design and simulation of controllable pulse generating circuit for gate driver of a class D, RF Generator.
- C++, 5%
Implemented an intravenous flow rate controller using a Renesas microcontroller, C++ languages and CAN.
- Verilog, 5%
Tasked with design, implementation, and verification of several VERILOG designs consisting of as many as 1M+ gates.
- Java, 4%
Implemented more scalable programming technologies (.NET, JAVA) into existing web platforms.
- PowerPoint, 4%
Created and presented technical PowerPoint presentations to customers which were instrumental in wining new business.
Most design engineer interns use their skills in "python," "rf," and "c++" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential design engineer internship responsibilities here:
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a design engineer internship to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Design engineer interns often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "perform needed changes to standard engineering drawings using autocad and inventor. "
Listening skills. Another essential skill to perform design engineer internship duties is listening skills. Design engineer interns responsibilities require that "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." Design engineer interns also use listening skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "communicated and brainstormed with senior administrators about new product designs. "
Math skills. design engineer interns are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to design engineer internship responsibilities, because "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." A design engineer internship resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "developed and tested perl script for analysis and display of computer host availability statistics on various server queues. "
Mechanical skills. A big part of what design engineer interns do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to design engineer internship responsibilities because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical design engineer internship tasks: "worked in research and product development to design new mechanical systems related to fire sprinkler operations. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a design engineer internship to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what design engineer interns relies on this skill, since "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." How this skill relates to design engineer internship duties can be seen in an example from a design engineer internship resume snippet: "experience gained: completed solidworks 2011 essentials training with trimech solutions in charlotte, nc. "
The three companies that hire the most design engineer internships are:
- Intel36 design engineer interns jobs
- Eversource Energy6 design engineer interns jobs
- Tesla5 design engineer interns jobs
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Compare different design engineer interns
Design engineer internship vs. Product engineer
A product engineer specializes in designing and developing commercial materials and services. They are primarily responsible for conducting thorough research and analysis of the latest trends and marketing conditions to come up with new ideas and products for the public. Moreover, they are also responsible for producing reports and presentations, coordinating with the development team of their company. Product engineers also reach out to vendors and suppliers for the raw materials, set regulations and standards for the product, and even conduct a rigorous and regular quality check.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between design engineer interns and product engineer. For instance, design engineer internship responsibilities require skills such as "python," "verilog," "powerpoint," and "mechanical design." Whereas a product engineer is skilled in "cad," "project management," "continuous improvement," and "ul." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Product engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $90,301. Comparatively, design engineer interns tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $62,117.On average, product engineers reach similar levels of education than design engineer interns. Product engineers are 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Design engineer internship vs. Staff engineer
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, design engineer internship responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "level analysis," "powerpoint," "mechanical design," and "solidworks." Meanwhile, a staff engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "architecture," "software development," "project management," and "api." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, staff engineers earn a higher salary than design engineer interns. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, staff engineers earn the most pay in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $119,079. Whereas design engineer interns have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $62,117.staff engineers earn similar levels of education than design engineer interns in general. They're 3.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for design engineer internships in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Richard Onyancha
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Department Head, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Design engineer internship vs. Co-operations engineer
A Co-Operations Engineer ensures that operations-related activities are performed in compliance with company standards and regulations. They optimize the overall efficiency of business.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a design engineer internship is likely to be skilled in "level analysis," "verilog," "design reviews," and "mechanical design," while a typical co-operations engineer is skilled in "cad," "lean manufacturing," "continuous improvement," and "project management."
Co-operations engineers earn the highest salary when working in the energy industry, where they receive an average salary of $51,087. Comparatively, design engineer interns have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $62,117.When it comes to education, co-operations engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to design engineer interns. In fact, they're 4.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Design engineer internship vs. Tool engineer
A tooling engineer is responsible for creating and adjusting tools or parts for cars, heavy equipment, and other products that need customized or personalized components. Your duties and responsibilities will include creating design blueprints, using computer-aided (CAD) software to develop two- and three-dimensional prints, and validating and evaluating products. As a tooling engineer, it is your responsibility to ensure compliance with operational standards such as the ISO 9000. You also have to provide technical assistance to manufacturing personnel and quality assurance.
Types of design engineer internship
Updated January 8, 2025
