Hardware Engineering Intern (Mechanical & Electrical)

Parallel Systems•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

Parallel Systems is hiring a Hardware Engineering Intern for its Summer 2027 internship. The intern will contribute to initial production and production ramp-up of the company’s next-generation autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles. This hands-on role spans design and analysis, process development and improvement, field testing, troubleshooting, and failure analysis. The intern will own and deliver a production subsystem or process from concept through implementation. Project assignments will be based on team priorities and may include designing and implementing end-of-line testing for Mk3 pneumatic and brake systems; improving powertrain installation tooling; developing and deploying an LV harness checkout test bench; installing and checking out a Mk3 drag-on instrumentation system; or commissioning an onboard gearbox sensor suite. The 12-week internship includes onboarding and vehicle familiarization, an initial small project, project requirements gathering and concept development, prototype development, and a final assignment carried through design, implementation, and field testing. The intern will present project outcomes, document recommendations and next steps, and hand work over to the team. Progress is evaluated through weekly check-ins, design reviews, field testing and data review, presentations, and feedback from the broader engineering team. The stated target hourly range is $50–$50 USD; the range is base compensation only and does not include equity or benefits, if applicable.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field; must be a rising junior, senior, or graduate student.
Self-motivated problem solver who takes personal ownership of challenges and drives them to completion.
Comfortable applying first-principles thinking to find creative solutions beyond their usual scope.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to present design work and field test results.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience on a hands-on engineering team that solves real-world problems while balancing competing priorities, such as FSAE, solar car, Design Build Fly, Baja SAE, or similar.
For Electrical Engineering candidates: CAD proficiency to enable cross-functional contributions.
For Mechanical Engineering candidates: experience with electronics, coding, or PCBA design.
Experience with design reviews, prototyping, and iterative hardware development cycles.

Responsibilities

Own and deliver a production subsystem or process from concept through implementation.
Contribute to design and analysis, process development and improvement, field testing, troubleshooting, and failure analysis.
Gather requirements, benchmark options, review concepts, and develop prototypes for assigned projects.
Design and implement end-of-line testing for Mk3 pneumatic and brake systems, as assigned.
Design, analyze, and deploy improved powertrain installation tooling, as assigned.
Design, procure, and deploy an LV harness checkout test bench, as assigned.
Design, install, and check out a Mk3 drag-on instrumentation system, as assigned.
Commission and implement an onboard gearbox sensor suite, as assigned.
Conduct field testing, review data, and present design work and test results.
Present final outcomes, document recommendations and next steps, and hand work over to the team.