2027 Spring Engineering Co-op

coatscompany; La Vergne (TN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

The Coats Company is seeking an engineering intern in Nashville, TN, to support design, testing, and documentation across electrical, mechanical, and software/embedded disciplines during Spring 2027.

You will interpret drawings, perform functional tests, collect data, and contribute to process improvements while completing a meaningful project.

Ideal candidates are rising juniors/seniors pursuing EE/ME/CE with hands-on mindset and strong teamwork.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a BS in EE, ME, or CE (rising junior or senior preferred).
• Exposure to PCB design or CAD tools is a plus.
• Familiar with test equipment like oscilloscopes and multimeters.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with design, testing, and validation of new products and components.
• Review drawings, schematics, and BOMs for assigned discipline.
• Set up and document functional and validation tests.
• Document test results in formal reports and databases.
• Support design reviews (DFM/DFT) and cross-functional communication.
• Contribute to an engineering project during the internship.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Data analysis with Excel

Hands-on problem solving

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Creo CAD

Software development tools

Job description

Location: Nashville, TN

Duration: Spring 2027

Discipline: Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Embedded Software / Computer Engineering

SCOPE

Support Engineers across Electrical, Mechanical, and Software/Embedded disciplines in the design, testing, validation, and documentation of Coats product lines and components.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Support Engineers in the design, testing, and validation of new products, components, and assemblies.
• Interpret and review engineering drawings, schematics, specifications, and bills of materials (BOM) as applicable to the assigned discipline.
• Set up, perform, and document functional and validation testing using appropriate tools and equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, dimensional inspection equipment, or software test/debug tools).
• Support root-cause analysis of component, product, or software failures and document findings in formal test or engineering reports.
• Assist with design reviews, including Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Testability (DFT), or software/quality reviews as applicable.
• Organize, input, and maintain test data, reports, and documentation within electronic databases.
• Coordinate and communicate results and findings across functional teams, including Design, Quality, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Service, and Operations.
• Support continuous improvement, value engineering, or process control initiatives to improve product performance, cost, and quality.
• Complete a meaningful engineering project within the co-op/internship timeframe.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

• Must meet all Coats Internship Application requirements.
• Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering field (required).
• Rising Junior or Senior preferred.
• Exposure to discipline-relevant tools is a plus, such as PCB design software (e.g., Altium Designer), CAD software (e.g., Creo), or software development/data analysis tools.
• Familiarity with common test equipment and methods relevant to the assigned discipline (e.g., oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, or dimensional/functional inspection tools).
• Proficient PC and computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and spreadsheet-based data analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing priorities effectively.
• Self-motivated, proactive, positive attitude, with a hands-on mindset and strong mechanical, electrical, or technical aptitude as relevant to the role.
• Strong team player with a genuine interest in practical, real-world engineering problem-solving.

The Coats Company is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and other characteristics protected by law.