Product Design Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)

HP IQ•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

HP IQ’s Hardware Design team turns product vision into manufacturable hardware systems. The intern works with Industrial Design, System Software, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing partners, contract manufacturers, and vendors to design and integrate complete hardware products, from early architecture and prototypes through production ramp. The role focuses on mechanical and systems integration, hands-on prototyping, design validation, and iterative refinement in a fast-moving, startup-like environment. The internship is scheduled for May or June through August or September 2027, with final dates based on student schedules.

Requirements

Solid understanding of material science fundamentals, including stress-strain relationships, thermal properties, and material-selection rationale.
Proficiency with CAD tools and component placement within constrained form factors.
Familiarity with tolerance analysis, tolerance stacks, and design-for-manufacturability principles.
Experience or demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing processes, including injection molding, CNC machining, extrusion, and assembly processes.
Experience with PCB design, flexible PCB, or electrical component integration.
Ability to work effectively in ambiguous, prototype-heavy environments; resourcefulness and self-direction are essential.
Strong communication skills and ability to partner across Industrial Design, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams.
Comfort with hands-on prototyping, lab work, and iterative design refinement.
Ability to work without extensive documentation or rigid structure and thrive in startup-like, fast-moving environments.

Nice To Haves

Minimum 1–2 years of hardware product design or related experience; prior internship at a consumer electronics company is preferred.
Experience communicating with contract manufacturers or FATP (final assembly) partners.
Exposure to design-of-experiments (DOE) or design validation methodologies.
Portfolio demonstrating complete hardware projects from design through prototype or production.
Experience with assembly process design, datuming, and fixturing.
Familiarity with cross-functional product development from concept through production ramp.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with Industrial Design to translate product vision into mechanical design, enclosure layout, and form-factor feasibility.
Integrate subsystems such as microphones, speakers, antennas, batteries, PCBs, sensors, and buttons into cohesive hardware architectures.
Produce CAD models, component placement studies, and tolerance analyses to guide manufacturing.
Work with contract manufacturers and vendors to validate design feasibility, manage drawing releases, and troubleshoot production issues.
Participate in hands-on prototype builds, design validation, and iterative refinement throughout development cycles.
Apply design-of-experiments methodology to validate material selection, assembly processes, and design assumptions.
Collaborate with Electrical Engineering on PCB layout, flexible PCB integration, and component placement constraints.
Define assembly processes, fixturing strategies, and datuming schemes to support manufacturability.
Own design documentation, including 2D drawings, specifications, and design rationale for internal and vendor communication.