Co-op, Mechatronics Engineer

Lila Sciences • Cambridge, MA

2d

About The Position

Lila Sciences is seeking a Co-op, Mechatronics Engineer to join its Hardware & Controls Engineering team in Alewife for the January through May term. The role supports the development of systems for autonomous science, including automated workcells, custom instrumentation, sensing hardware, motion systems, and integrated lab equipment.

This is a hands-on engineering role in a fast-moving R&D environment. The co-op will work across mechanical design, electrical integration, prototyping, testing, documentation, and troubleshooting, partnering with engineers and scientists to turn laboratory needs into reliable engineering systems. The work will support improvements to the reliability, scalability, and performance of systems used across Lila’s scientific programs, and provide practical experience across the mechatronics stack from concept and CAD through building, testing, and iteration.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field.
• Experience with CAD design, prototyping, fabrication, or hands-on engineering projects.
• Foundational understanding of mechanical systems, electrical systems, sensors, actuators, or controls.
• Comfort building, testing, debugging, and documenting physical systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail in hands-on technical work.
• Clear communication skills and ability to collaborate across engineering and scientific teams.
• Curiosity about laboratory automation, instrumentation, robotics, or autonomous science.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with SolidWorks or another parametric CAD tool.
• Exposure to electrical wiring, instrumentation, controls, or data acquisition systems.
• Experience with robotics, laboratory automation, industrial automation, or motion systems.
• Familiarity with 3D printing, machining, sheet metal, or rapid prototyping methods.
• Previous internship, co-op, laboratory, project team, or R&D experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and build mechanical and electromechanical components for automated laboratory systems.
• Support integration of sensors, actuators, motion systems, and control hardware.
• Create CAD models, drawings, prototypes, fixtures, and test setups.
• Assemble, debug, and iterate on hardware for workcells and custom instrumentation.
• Run tests, document results, and communicate design changes clearly.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists to translate laboratory workflows into reliable systems.
• Contribute to improvements in system reliability, usability, and maintainability.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed