Mechanical Engineer Drafting Co-op - Spring 2026

Fleet Robotics Inc. • Boston, MA

95d

About The Position

Fleet Robotics is a green-tech startup developing an underwater robot to inspect and maintain ship hulls. At Fleet, we are seeking a Mechanical Engineer Drafting Co-op to support the development of our robotic systems. This role is ideal for an engineering student excited about hands-on design work, documentation, and supporting a fast-moving hardware team. You will work closely with our mechanical engineers and roboticists to ensure designs are accurately documented and ready for fabrication. We are tackling a thousand-year-old problem: the growth of biofouling on ships. Biofouling is the growth of microorganisms, algae, barnacles, and larger ocean organisms on the ship’s hull. As a ship delivers goods around the world, the growth of these organisms significantly increases the drag forces on the hull and in doing so, significantly increases fuel consumption. Ships are the world’s largest consumers of carbon-heavy fuels (called bunker fuels). Conventionally, the commercial shipping industry handles biofouling in two ways: preventatively, by coating the ship’s hull in a highly toxic paint that discourages growth, and reactively, by stopping operations every 6-months or so to have divers scrape off years of fouling (along with some toxic paint). This is akin to deciding never to brush your teeth because you go to the dentist every five years. There is a better way. Our small autonomous robots live on the side of a ship’s hull for years, gently removing the earliest stage of biofouling on a regular basis. This early-stage biofouling is easy-to-remove slime. The technical challenge lies in having a robot that can withstand a marine environments, adhere to the ship hull while it is underway, and clean entirely autonomously. By removing slime often and early, we prevent the growth of macrofouling, significantly reduce fuel consumption, and prevent the spread of invasive species from port to port.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a 4-year university program of a related discipline and available for a 4-8 month internship or co-op
• Experience with CAD software (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar)
• Familiarity with drawing standards, tolerancing, and fabrication methods
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow design intent
• Interest in robotics, sustainability, and real-world problem solving

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain detailed CAD models and technical drawings for robotic subsystems and components
• Generate fabrication-ready drawings with tolerances, GD&T, and material specifications
• Assist in design revisions, updating assemblies and drawings as the robots evolve
• Collaborate with engineers to standardize design documentation and part libraries
• Support prototype builds and help track design changes from concept to testing
• Help ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability, assembly, and reliability in marine environments

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree