Hardware Engineer Intern, Manufacturing Operations [Summer 2027]

Zoox•Foster City, CA

4d•$6,500 - $8,500

About The Position

Zoox’s Manufacturing Operations team builds vehicles at production scale. This internship offers hands-on work with the tools, processes, and systems that move vehicles from prototype to production, working alongside engineers on the production floor. Interns may be considered for teams spanning Manufacturing Engineering, Test & Diagnostics, Logistics, Prototyping, Advanced Hardware Manufacturing, Technical Program Management & Manufacturing Intelligence, and Data Governance. Potential work includes developing test automation, diagnostics, or analysis tools for vehicle production; improving manufacturing, assembly, or logistics processes using data; working hands-on with production hardware alongside cross-functional engineers; and presenting findings and recommendations to manufacturing and engineering stakeholders. The role is a full-time, 12-week internship beginning in May or June 2027, based in the Bay Area, California.

Requirements

Currently working toward a B.S., M.S., or advanced degree in a relevant engineering program, such as mechanical, computer, electrical, industrial, manufacturing, or systems engineering.
Be in good academic standing.
Expected to graduate between Fall 2027 and Summer 2028.
Remain enrolled at an accredited college or university throughout the internship.
Commit to a full-time, 12-week internship beginning in May or June 2027.
Be able to relocate to the Bay Area, California, for the duration of the internship.
Do not use proprietary information worked on during the internship in a thesis or university publication, or distribute it to anyone outside Zoox.
Have a foundational understanding of process optimization, such as build sequencing, task time analysis, and line layout.
Be able to assist in developing and documenting work instructions and procedures.
Have scripting or automation skills in Python or a similar language.
Have strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.
Have strong organization and communication skills and comfort working on a production floor.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in the automotive industry or a manufacturing or prototyping environment.
Experience with MES, SAP, or ERP systems, or with CAD and CNC programming.
Experience with data analysis in Python, SQL, or Databricks.

Responsibilities

Develop test automation, diagnostics, or analysis tools for vehicle production.
Improve a manufacturing, assembly, or logistics process using data.
Work hands-on with production hardware alongside cross-functional engineers.
Present findings and recommendations to manufacturing and engineering stakeholders.
Potentially support manufacturing processes, station setup, line balancing, and manufacturing-system issues on the production floor.
Potentially develop test automation and diagnostic tools such as end-of-line testers, sensor pods, and PCU test equipment.
Potentially optimize warehouse operations, inventory accuracy, and packaging for on-time line-side delivery and product protection.
Potentially develop automated CNC part programming with mechanical prototype and fabrication teams.
Potentially industrialize new hardware designs for production and optimize manufacturing and warehouse processes.
Potentially support manufacturing programs, operational excellence, and AI analytics and tools for Manufacturing Operations.
Potentially work on data governance for manufacturing data.