What does a mechanical engineering internship do?
One of the primary responsibilities in a mechanical engineering internship is to follow directives from engineers and managers while gaining practical experience. There are instances when an intern must take part in crafting various materials under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, produce reports and paperwork, operate tools and devices, and provide assistance should anyone need. Furthermore, it is essential to report to managers and supervisors if any issues arise.
Mechanical engineering internship responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real mechanical engineering internship resumes:
- Programme VBA tool to organize and manage operator-supply production data into a comprehensive data set.
- Develop design specifications, implement RTL, generate simulation models, test benches, design software and documentation.
- Remodel PERL scripts to test DLL, PLL, USB, EFUSE, SERDES.
- Check design package and concept drawings of Jr.
- Develop python script functions for SBTS to find electrical shortages.
- Design heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for new and remodel buildings.
- Perform system interface, monitor, and troubleshoot to ensure effective performance of equipment.
- Edit and create VHDL and Verilog models to be used in digital circuit simulation.
- Implement more scalable programming technologies (.NET, JAVA) into existing web platforms.
- Design PTC Creo assembly layout for a prototype wall- mount monitor shroud for customer airline.
- Design and develop a prototype for automate fault injection testing of RTL level chip designs.
- Perform a wide range of testing techniques on prototype parts and assemblies and document testing reports.
- Conduct FEA analysis on 3D models to ensure parts hold up to expect forces and loads.
- Conduct modeling, simulation and stress and modal analysis of structural components using ANSYS FEA software.
- Support product testing and validation, data collection and analysis, product benchmarking, CATIA V5 drawing.
Mechanical engineering internship skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Mechanical Engineering Interns are proficient in Solidworks, PowerPoint, and Mechanical Design. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Mechanical Engineering Interns that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Solidworks, 15%
Performed Finite Element Analysis using SolidWorks Simulate and verified results with supporting calculations for various ride and structural components.
- PowerPoint, 5%
Illustrated windshield packaging irregularities using PowerPoint slides and suggested improvements.
- Mechanical Design, 5%
Focused on mechanical design for manufacturing system reliability by creating several mechanical components for existing automated machinery producing silicon wafers.
- Mechanical Systems, 4%
Collaborated with system owners to develop database of mechanical systems for use by plant operations technicians.
- Revit, 4%
Modeled mechanical equipment and piping using Revit and AutoCad.
- Auto CAD, 4%
Designed new plant layout in Auto CAD in order to meet the process flow and all the standards.
"solidworks," "powerpoint," and "mechanical design" are among the most common skills that mechanical engineering interns use at work. You can find even more mechanical engineering internship responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a mechanical engineering internship to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Mechanical engineering interns often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "created engineering drawings using autodesk inventor and received hands on training using the different workshop tools in the factory. "
Listening skills. Many mechanical engineering internship duties rely on listening skills. "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists," so a mechanical engineering internship will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways mechanical engineering internship responsibilities rely on listening skills: "created and revised electro-mechanical technical drawings in the design of electrical substations lead a quality review and communicated results to outside contractors"
Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of mechanical engineering interns is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday mechanical engineering internship duties, as "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "performed electrical/mechanical verification testing for dod hardware. "
Math skills. A big part of what mechanical engineering interns do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to mechanical engineering 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." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical mechanical engineering internship tasks: "conduct packaging product geometry data collection. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for mechanical engineering internship responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of mechanical engineering interns all the time, as "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." An excerpt from a real mechanical engineering internship resume shows how this skill is central to what a mechanical engineering internship does: "generated turbine blade performance curves using aerodynamic solutions cfd software. "
See the full list of mechanical engineering internship skills
The three companies that hire the most mechanical engineering internships are:
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Compare different mechanical engineering interns
Mechanical engineering 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 some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, mechanical engineering internship responsibilities require skills like "mechanical design," "mechanical systems," "revit," and "auto cad." Meanwhile a typical co-operations engineer has skills in areas such as "cad," "lean manufacturing," "python," and "c++." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Co-operations engineers really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $51,087. Comparatively, mechanical engineering interns tend to make the most money in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $44,983.The education levels that co-operations engineers earn slightly differ from mechanical engineering interns. In particular, co-operations engineers are 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a mechanical engineering internship. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Mechanical engineering internship vs. Student engineer
A student engineer is an individual who trains to become a full pledge professional engineer by gaining working experience in the field of engineering. By using their knowledge in the principles of science and mathematics, student engineers should help other professionals develop economical solutions and solve technical problems. They are required to engage themselves in the testing, production, or maintenance of newly developed products. Student engineers are also required to work closely with their senior managers or supervisors.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real mechanical engineering internship resumes. While mechanical engineering internship responsibilities can utilize skills like "mechanical design," "mechanical systems," "revit," and "auto cad," student engineers use skills like "gpa," "c++," "c #," and "cad."
On average, student engineers earn a higher salary than mechanical engineering interns. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, student engineers earn the most pay in the transportation industry with an average salary of $86,592. Whereas mechanical engineering interns have higher pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $44,983.In general, student engineers achieve similar levels of education than mechanical engineering interns. They're 1.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for mechanical engineering internships in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Sridhar Santhanam Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Villanova University
Mechanical engineering internship vs. Junior engineer
A Junior Engineer helps design, build, or maintain engines, machines, or public works. They work under the supervision of an engineer.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from mechanical engineering internship resumes include skills like "powerpoint," "mechanical design," "mechanical systems," and "revit," whereas a junior engineer is more likely to list skills in "control systems," "java," "c++," and "c #. "
Junior engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $72,489. On the other hand, mechanical engineering interns are paid the highest salary in the hospitality industry, with average annual pay of $44,983.junior engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to mechanical engineering interns. Specifically, they're 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Mechanical engineering internship vs. Field engineer
A field engineer's role will vary on the industry or line of work involved. However, the primary responsibility will mostly revolve around handling equipment and machinery, ensuring that they function effectively and safely. It is also the task of a field engineer to oversee the workflow and workforce, giving directions and recommendations when necessary. Furthermore, a field engineer must develop strategies and plans to improve the site's efficiency, produce progress reports, and coordinate with other workers.
Types of mechanical engineering internship
Updated January 8, 2025
