Operations Summer Intern

Draper Laboratory•Cambridge, MA

38d•$15 - $225

About The Position

This position is for students looking for engineering opportunities for Summer 2026. As a student in the Product Engineering Division, you will be exposed to a broad range of technical challenges where you can apply your knowledge as well as learn new skills while seeing how problems of national interest are solved. Your experience can range from applying engineering principals and best practices to part design for DfX, to working directly with engineers and technicians to fabricate and assemble systems. While working under the guidance of engineers, you will be exposed to a system-level perspective that will help mature advanced (often first-of-a-kind) prototype designs with an eye towards manufacturability, assembility, and reliability (i.e. DFx). While working on tasks, you will gain a better understanding of how to design with consideration for manufacturability while learning proper execution and documentation of product requirements, design changes, assembly instructions, and hardware tracking. When parts need to be fabricated, you will have the opportunity to work with highly skilled operators in Draper's extensive machine shop, rapid prototyping lab featuring multiple 3D printers or circuit card assembly facility. You will also have the opportunity to interact with other facilities such as materials characterization or metrology. Assignments are designed to develop a practical knowledge of processes, procedures, equipment, facilities, and systems as well as their interrelationships within engineering disciplines. Assignments will also provide an opportunity to develop valuable networking connections which will help prepare and develop your skills for future career opportunities. Actual project tasks will depend on immediate program priorities.

Requirements

Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Excellent work ethic with the ability to work independently or in a team environment.
Ability to adapt to ever-changing environments, risks, and vulnerabilities.
Strong computer skills including MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
College student in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering
Must be a US citizen and enrolled in an accredited Engineering curriculum
Experience with 3D CAD packages, PTC Creo and/or Solidworks
Experience with Machined Parts and GD&T

Responsibilities

Complete assignments designed to develop a practical knowledge of processes, procedures, equipment, facilities, and systems as well as their interrelationships within engineering disciplines.
Design and documentation of hardware
Fabrication and assembly of prototypes
Process development
Continuous improvement
Hardware tracking/yield and metrics
Interaction with external suppliers.

Benefits

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities.

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