Vehicle Thermal Integration - Validation Engineering Intern

Daimler Truck North America • Portland, OR

16h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Vehicle Thermal Integration - Validation Engineering Intern will work with Product Validation Engineering’s Vehicle Thermodynamics & Integration group to validate vehicle performance across thermal systems, environmental exposure, full-vehicle operation, and powertrain integration. The position offers hands-on experience in vehicle testing and data analysis to help ensure vehicles meet regulatory and real-world customer requirements.

The intern will own summer test requests, including planning, coordination, and reporting, and support on-site tests at remote locations in high-ambient-temperature and high-altitude conditions. The role also assists with vehicle test data collection, analysis, and documentation. Interns may have the opportunity to transition to a full-time position, subject to manager evaluations and business availability.

The internship begins in May or June. The position is based in Portland, Oregon, and follows a hybrid schedule of four days per week in the office and one day remote. Travel is required in support of Summer Test activities. Relocation assistance may be available to eligible candidates.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program or higher at an accredited college or university, or recently graduated within one year of the position start date (May/June).
• Enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Strong interest in vehicle performance, thermodynamics, and hands-on testing.
• Ability to work in outdoor, laboratory, and vehicle test environments.
• Analytical mindset, attention to detail, and structured problem-solving skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel in support of Summer Test activities.
• Experience working in team-based engineering environments.
• Strong organizational skills, creative mindset, and interpersonal skills; ability to work in a team environment.
• Must be legally authorized to work permanently in the United States at the time of application; visa sponsorship and applicants who already hold visas are not accepted.
• Final candidates must successfully complete a criminal background check; a pre-employment drug screen may also be required.

Nice To Haves

• Junior or senior standing in the upcoming academic term.
• Coursework or project experience in thermodynamics, heat transfer, or powertrain systems.
• Exposure to vehicle testing, instrumentation, or data acquisition, such as CANape or similar.
• Experience with data analysis using engineering tools such as Python, MATLAB, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Support vehicle-level thermodynamics and performance testing, including cooling, aftertreatment systems, air systems, and environmental exposure.
• Assist with planning and execution of Summer Test activities, including vehicle instrumentation, test setup, and daily test support.
• Set up, operate, and troubleshoot instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Collect, process, and review vehicle test data; support root cause analysis of thermal or performance issues.
• Work with Design Engineering, Powertrain, and other Product Validation Engineering teams to align testing with design intent.
• Document test results and contribute to summaries, reports, and technical discussions.
• Support continuous improvement of test methods, fixtures, and procedures.
• Participate in a collaborative, hands-on test environment involving on-vehicle work.
• Lead and support efforts to foster an inclusive and welcoming workplace culture.
• Plan, coordinate, and report on summer test requests, including supporting on-site testing at remote high-temperature and high-altitude locations.

Benefits

• Professional development and networking events, including resume reviews and mock interviews.
• Housing and transportation stipend.
• Employee resource groups.
• Event ticket offering, based on corporate availability.
• Company social events.
• Relocation assistance may be available when the selected candidate meets eligibility criteria.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern