Engineering Intern

Depatie Fluid Power Company; Portage (MI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Depatie Fluid Power is seeking an Engineering Intern to join our engineering team in Portage, Michigan, to gain real-world experience in product development, mechanical design, manufacturing support, and engineering documentation.

This internship offers the opportunity to learn from experienced engineers, work on real customer projects, and contribute to design reviews while developing SolidWorks CAD skills and engineering documentation proficiency.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Mechanical Engineering or related degree program.
• Strong desire to learn and improve.
• Self-motivated with initiative and work ethic.
• Comfortable learning new software and engineering tools.

Responsibilities

• Assist mechanical product development from concept through production.
• Interact with customers to understand application requirements.
• Help develop and manage engineering requirements.
• Create and modify 2D and 3D CAD models using SolidWorks.
• Produce engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Participate in mechanical design reviews and tests.
• Build, assemble, and test prototypes and pre-production products.
• Assist with product testing, verification, and validation activities.
• Support manufacturing by designing fixtures and test fixtures.
• Develop standard work instructions and manufacturing processes.
• Provide technical support to production teams.

Skills

SolidWorks CAD

Mechanical aptitude

CAD modeling

Engineering documentation

Team collaboration

Education

Mechanical Engineering student

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Description

Depatie Fluid Power is seeking an Engineering Intern to join our engineering team. This is an excellent opportunity for a student looking to gain real-world experience in product development, mechanical design, manufacturing support, and engineering documentation within a collaborative manufacturing environment.

We are not looking for someone who already knows everything about our products—we can teach product knowledge. What we're looking for is someone who is eager to learn, takes initiative, embraces new technology, works hard, and enjoys solving problems.

If you're curious, motivated, and excited to apply what you've learned in the classroom to real engineering projects, we'd love to hear from you.

Requirements

What You'll Do

As an Engineering Intern, you will support our engineering team throughout the product development process while gaining hands‑on experience in design, testing, manufacturing, and customer support.

You will:

• Assist with mechanical product development from concept through production
• Interact with customers to better understand application requirements
• Help develop and manage engineering requirements
• Create and modify 2D and 3D CAD models using SolidWorks
• Produce engineering drawings and technical documentation
• Participate in mechanical design reviews, analysis, troubleshooting, and design improvements
• Build, assemble, and test prototypes and pre‑production products
• Assist with product testing, verification, and validation activities
• Help maintain engineering lab equipment and testing infrastructure
• Support manufacturing by designing assembly fixtures and test fixtures
• Develop standard work instructions, manufacturing processes, test procedures, and control plans
• Provide technical support to production teams when needed
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including Engineering, Manufacturing, Sales, and Operations
• Learn industry best practices while contributing to meaningful engineering projects

What You'll Accomplish

• Gain valuable hands‑on engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
• Learn the complete product development lifecycle
• Develop SolidWorks CAD and mechanical design skills
• Build experience with engineering documentation and testing
• Work alongside experienced engineers on real customer projects
• Strengthen your problem‑solving, communication, and teamwork abilities
• Make meaningful contributions that directly impact customer success and company growth

What We're Looking For

• Currently enrolled in a Mechanical Engineering or related Engineering degree program
• Strong desire to learn and continuously improve
• Self‑motivated with excellent initiative and work ethic
• Comfortable learning new technology, software, and engineering tools
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem‑solving skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Positive, professional attitude with a customer‑focused mindset

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks or other 3D CAD software
• Familiarity with engineering drawings and mechanical design principles
• Interest in manufacturing, product development, hydraulics, automation, or industrial equipment
• Experience with prototype building, machining, or hands‑on mechanical projects is a plus

Why Join Depatie Fluid Power?

• Gain meaningful, hands‑on engineering experience
• Work on real‑world product development projects
• Learn from experienced engineering professionals
• Collaborative, team‑oriented work environment
• Opportunity to develop technical and professional skills
• Exposure to manufacturing, design, testing, and customer applications