Engine Performance Intern - Spring 2027 | LiquidPiston
About The Position
LiquidPiston is an advanced technology company developing compact, high-performance rotary engines based on a novel thermodynamic cycle. Our X-Engine technology is designed to deliver exceptional power density, efficiency, and compactness for demanding applications across defense, aerospace, UAVs, and commercial power systems. We are a growing engineering team working to take a fundamentally different engine architecture from development toward real-world applications. That means our engineers - and our interns - work on problems that don't have an answer in a textbook. As an Engine Performance Intern at LiquidPiston, you won't just be observing engineers or working on a side project. You'll have the opportunity to get hands-on with real engine development and see your work directly impact testing and performance. You'll work alongside experienced engineers in our test and development environment, helping run experiments, analyze engine data, troubleshoot unexpected results, and determine what we should test or change next. You'll see the process firsthand: form a hypothesis, run the engine, analyze the data, figure out what went wrong, make an adjustment, and test again. This is an ideal opportunity for an engineering student who enjoys experimental work, solving problems with data, and understanding why an engine behaves the way it does. If you're excited by internal combustion engines, propulsion, thermodynamics, combustion, or experimental engineering—and want to leave an internship with experience you can actually talk about in your next interview—this is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.
Requirements
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering field
- Strong academic foundation in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and/or combustion
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to look at unexpected test results and work through the question: "Why did this happen?"
- Comfortable working hands-on in a laboratory or test environment
- Ability to work onsite five days per week
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively while also taking ownership of assigned work
- Genuine interest in engines, propulsion, power systems, or experimental engineering
Nice To Haves
- Coursework or project experience involving internal combustion engines, combustion, thermodynamics, or engine performance
- Experience with MATLAB, Python, Excel, LabVIEW, or similar engineering/data analysis tools
- Familiarity with engine dynamometers, data acquisition systems, sensors, or laboratory instrumentation
- Experience analyzing experimental data or large datasets
- Familiarity with engine controls, calibration, or Simulink
- Understanding of engine performance metrics and combustion fundamentals
- Hands-on experience troubleshooting mechanical or electrical systems
- Participation in Formula SAE, Baja SAE, EcoCAR, engine design competitions, robotics, engineering research, or other hands-on engineering projects
Responsibilities
- Assist with planning, setting up, executing, and monitoring engine performance tests in laboratory and test cell environments
- Apply AI tools to assist with test data processing and test planning.
- Analyze real engine test data to evaluate power, torque, fuel consumption, thermal efficiency, combustion behavior, temperatures, pressures, and emissions
- Help identify performance issues and investigate the underlying causes using test data and engineering fundamentals
- Support engine calibration and optimization by evaluating operating parameters and test results
- Develop MATLAB, Python, Excel, or other tools to process, analyze, and visualize large sets of engine data
- Assist with instrumentation, sensors, data acquisition systems, and test equipment
- Help troubleshoot test setups and unexpected engine behavior
- Work with design, controls, simulation, and test engineers to connect test results to design and development decisions
- Participate in technical discussions and design reviews and contribute engineering recommendations
- Document test procedures, results, analysis, and technical findings
- Support iterative development as test results drive changes to the engine and its operating strategy
Benefits
- Paid
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
