Co-op, Mechatronics Engineer

Lila Sciences • Cambridge, MA

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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. This hands-on engineering role is based in a fast-moving R&D environment and focuses on building the systems that make autonomous science possible, including automated workcells, custom instrumentation, sensing hardware, motion systems, and integrated lab equipment.

The co-op will work across mechanical design, electrical integration, prototyping, testing, documentation, and troubleshooting. Working alongside engineers and scientists, the position translates laboratory needs into reliable engineering systems and supports the next generation of lab automation at Lila. The role offers practical experience across the mechatronics stack, from concept and CAD through building, testing, and iteration, while contributing to system reliability, scalability, performance, usability, and maintainability.

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.
• Comfortable 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 lab 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, lab automation, industrial automation, or motion systems.
• Familiarity with 3D printing, machining, sheet metal, or rapid prototyping methods.
• Previous internship, co-op, lab, project team, or R&D experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and build mechanical and electromechanical components for automated lab 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 lab workflows into reliable systems.
• Contribute to improvements that increase system reliability, usability, and maintainability.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed