Engine Performance Intern - Spring 2027 | LiquidPiston

Liquidpiston; Suffield (CT); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

LiquidPiston in Suffield, CT, is offering an Engine Performance Intern for Spring 2027. You won't just observe; you'll run experiments, analyze data, and contribute to testing and performance improvements on real engine development.

You'll work with experienced engineers in a lab environment, form hypotheses, test, analyze results, adjust and re-test, gaining hands-on experience in internal combustion engines, propulsion, and experimental engineering.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical, Aerospace, Automotive, or related field.
• Strong foundation in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and/or combustion.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to investigate unexpected test results and answer 'Why did this happen?'
• Hands-on in a laboratory or test environment.
• Ability to work onsite five days per week
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Collaborative while owning assigned work
• Genuine interest in engines, propulsion, power systems, or experimental engineering

Responsibilities

• Plan, set up, execute, and monitor engine performance tests in lab/test cell environments.
• Apply AI tools to assist test data processing and test planning.
• Analyze engine test data for power, torque, fuel consumption, thermal efficiency, emissions.
• Identify performance issues and investigate the underlying causes using test data and engineering fundamentals.
• Support engine calibration and optimization by evaluating operating parameters and test results.
• Develop MATLAB, Python, Excel, or other tools to process, analyze, and visualize large sets of engine data.
• Assist with instrumentation, sensors, data acquisition systems, and test equipment.
• Help troubleshoot test setups and unexpected engine behavior.
• Work with design, controls, simulation, and test engineers to connect test results to design and development decisions.
• Participate in technical discussions and design reviews and contribute engineering recommendations.
• Document test procedures, results, analysis, and technical findings.
• Support iterative development as test results drive changes to the engine and its operating strategy.

Skills

Thermodynamics

Fluid mechanics

Heat transfer

Combustion fundamentals

Analytical thinking

Lab testing

MATLAB

Python

Excel

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

LabVIEW

Excel

Data acquisition systems

Dynamometers

Job description

Engine Performance Intern - Spring 2027 | LiquidPiston

Location: Suffield, CT

Employment Type: Full-time Internship - Spring 2027

Compensation: Paid

About LiquidPiston

LiquidPiston is an advanced technology company developing compact, high-performance rotary engines based on a novel thermodynamic cycle. Our X-Engine technology is designed to deliver exceptional power density, efficiency, and compactness for demanding applications across defense, aerospace, UAVs, and commercial power systems.

We are a growing engineering team working to take a fundamentally different engine architecture from development toward real-world applications. That means our engineers - and our interns - work on problems that don't have an answer in a textbook.

The Opportunity

As an Engine Performance Intern at LiquidPiston, you won't just be observing engineers or working on a side project. You'll have the opportunity to get hands-on with real engine development and see your work directly impact testing and performance.

You’ll work alongside experienced engineers in our test and development environment, helping run experiments, analyze engine data, troubleshoot unexpected results, and determine what we should test or change next. You'll see the process firsthand: form a hypothesis, run the engine, analyze the data, figure out what went wrong, make an adjustment, and test again.

This is an ideal opportunity for an engineering student who enjoys experimental work, solving problems with data, and understanding why an engine behaves the way it does.

If you're excited by internal combustion engines, propulsion, thermodynamics, combustion, or experimental engineering - and want to leave an internship with experience you can actually talk about in your next interview - this is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.

What You'll Work On

• Assist with planning, setting up, executing, and monitoring engine performance tests in laboratory and test cell environments
• Apply AI tools to assist with test data processing and test planning.
• Analyze real engine test data to evaluate power, torque, fuel consumption, thermal efficiency, combustion behavior, temperatures, pressures, and emissions
• Help identify performance issues and investigate the underlying causes using test data and engineering fundamentals
• Support engine calibration and optimization by evaluating operating parameters and test results
• Develop MATLAB, Python, Excel, or other tools to process, analyze, and visualize large sets of engine data
• Assist with instrumentation, sensors, data acquisition systems, and test equipment
• Help troubleshoot test setups and unexpected engine behavior
• Work with design, controls, simulation, and test engineers to connect test results to design and development decisions
• Participate in technical discussions and design reviews and contribute engineering recommendations
• Document test procedures, results, analysis, and technical findings
• Support iterative development as test results drive changes to the engine and its operating strategy

What We're Looking For

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering field
• Strong academic foundation in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and/or combustion
• analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to look at unexpected test results and work through the question: "Why did this happen?"
• Comfortable working hands-on in a laboratory or test environment
• Ability to work onsite five days per week
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively while also taking ownership of assigned work
• Genuine interest in engines, propulsion, power systems, or experimental engineering

Strong Preferred Skills & Experience

• Coursework or project experience involving internal combustion engines, combustion, thermodynamics, or engine performance
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, Excel, LabVIEW, or similar engineering/data analysis tools
• Familiarity with engine dynamometers, data acquisition systems, sensors, or laboratory instrumentation
• Experience analyzing experimental data or large datasets
• Familiarity with engine controls, calibration, or Simulink
• Understanding of engine performance metrics and combustion fundamentals
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting mechanical or electrical systems
• Participation in Formula SAE, Baja SAE, EcoCAR, engine design competitions, robotics, engineering research, or other hands-on engineering projects

Our Culture

At LiquidPiston, we challenge convention and solve hard problems. We move fast, think boldly, and iterate quickly. Our team thrives on collaboration, creativity, and resilience. We take calculated risks and believe that every setback is a steppingstone toward breakthrough innovation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

LiquidPiston, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

All offers of employment at LiquidPiston are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check, drug screening and credit check.