Mechanical Design Engineering Intern

FuturHand Robotics Inc.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

FuturHand Robotics in Pittsburgh, PA is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Design Engineering Intern to support rapid development, prototyping, and refinement of our robotic hardware, with start dates available for Spring 2027 (January/February through May/June) and/or Summer 2027 (May/June through August/September).

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving mechanical problems, is highly proficient in CAD, and can take a design from concept to a functional physical assembly with minimal

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Proficiency in parametric 3D CAD (Onshape preferred) and experience designing multi-component mechanical assemblies.
• Experience with FDM 3D printing, including print orientation, tolerances, material selection, and designing parts for additive manufacturing.
• Understanding of mechanical design principles, fits, tolerances, fastening methods, and assembly constraints.
• Experience assembling and troubleshooting physical mechanical systems.
• Strong mechanical intuition and proactive problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and deliver functional designs within short development cycles.
• Willingness to work hands-on with prototypes.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Pittsburgh, PA for the duration of the internship.

Responsibilities

• CAD design, modify, and optimize mechanical components and assemblies, Onshape preferred.
• Produce rapid design iterations based on test results and evolving project requirements.
• 3D printing, troubleshooting, and post-processing of prototypes and assemblies.
• Mechanical assembly of motors, gears, bearings, fasteners, and precision components.
• Apply design-for-manufacturability considerations to simplify fabrication and assembly.
• Identify root causes of mechanical failures and develop targeted solutions.
• Take ownership of tasks, evaluate solutions, and make informed engineering decisions.
• Test prototypes for fit, function, and reliability and iterate accordingly.

Skills

CAD proficiency

Mechanical design

Onshape

3D printing

Prototyping

Troubleshooting

Independent problem-solving

Relocation to Pittsburgh

Education

Mechanical Engineering / Robotics / Mechatronics degree

Tools

Onshape

Job description

About FuturHand Robotics

FuturHand Robotics is a Carnegie Mellon University spin-off developing next-generation dexterous robotic systems that transform how robots interact with the world. We build on cutting-edge research in dexterous hands and manipulation to solve real-world problems, developing dexterous bimanual robots that operate reliably outside controlled lab environments.

The Role

We’re looking for a hands-on Mechanical Design Engineering Intern to support the rapid development, prototyping, and refinement of our robotic hardware, with start dates available for Spring 2027 (January/February through May/June) and/or Summer 2027 (May/June through August/September).

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving mechanical problems, is highly proficient in CAD, and can take a design from concept to a functional physical assembly with minimal supervision.

You’ll work directly with our Mechanical Design Engineer to develop and iterate on complex robotic mechanisms — including robotic hands, actuation systems, and supporting hardware. Our development process moves quickly, and we value engineers who can think independently, make practical design decisions, and turn ideas into testable hardware.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Mechanical Design & CAD: Design, modify, and optimize mechanical components and assemblies in Onshape, including creating designs from scratch and adapting existing hardware
• Rapid Prototyping: Produce fast design iterations based on testing results, mechanical constraints, and evolving project requirements
• 3D Printing & Fabrication: Prepare, print, troubleshoot, and post-process FDM components for functional prototypes and assemblies
• Mechanical Assembly: Assemble, integrate, and troubleshoot complex mechanical systems involving motors, gears, bearings, fasteners, and other precision components
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Apply practical manufacturing considerations so parts are easy to fabricate, assemble, maintain, and iterate
• Mechanical Troubleshooting: Identify the root causes of mechanical failures, interference, misalignment, or performance limitations, and develop targeted solutions without unnecessarily redesigning entire systems
• Independent Problem-Solving: Take ownership of assigned tasks, evaluate potential solutions, and make informed engineering decisions without requiring constant direction
• Testing & Validation: Evaluate prototypes for fit, function, mechanical performance, and reliability, and incorporate findings into subsequent design revisions

What We’re Looking For

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field, or able to demonstrate equivalent hands-on experience
• Proficiency in parametric 3D CAD (Onshape preferred), with experience designing multi-component mechanical assemblies
• Practical experience with FDM 3D printing, including print orientation, tolerances, material selection, and designing parts specifically for additive manufacturing
• Understanding of mechanical design principles, fits, tolerances, fastening methods, and assembly constraints
• Experience assembling and troubleshooting physical mechanical systems
• Strong mechanical intuition and the ability to recognize design problems before they become larger issues
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and deliver functional designs within short development cycles
• Willingness to work hands-on with prototypes rather than exclusively in CAD
• Based in or willing to relocate to Pittsburgh, PA for the duration of the internship

Nice to have:

• Portfolio of mechanical design projects (highly preferred): personal, academic, and/or professional projects that show CAD proficiency, mechanical creativity, hands-on fabrication, assembly, and iterative problem-solving. We especially value projects that went beyond CAD into functional physical prototypes, with your individual contributions, design decisions, and solutions to real-world mechanical challenges clearly highlighted
• Experience designing robotic mechanisms, end effectors, or electromechanical systems
• Familiarity with motors, gearboxes, bearings, shaft couplings, tendon-driven mechanisms, and other mechanical transmission systems
• Experience designing for CNC machining or other manufacturing processes beyond 3D printing
• Understanding of mechanical loading, structural rigidity, friction, compliance, and tolerance stack-ups
• Experience integrating mechanical hardware with sensors, actuators, and electronics
• Previous involvement in robotics teams, engineering competitions, personal engineering projects, or hardware-focused research

The Ideal Candidate

We value practical engineering ability, mechanical intuition, and initiative over credentials alone. The ideal candidate can look at a mechanical assembly, understand how it’s supposed to function, recognize why something isn’t working, and implement a practical solution. We’re looking for someone who:

• Can turn a rough concept into a functional CAD design without step-by-step instructions
• Understands the difference between a design that looks good in CAD and one that works reliably in the real world
• Knows when a problem requires a redesign and when a small, targeted modification will solve it
• Is comfortable with rapid iteration, imperfect initial prototypes, and evolving requirements
• Takes initiative, communicates progress, and knows when to ask questions rather than getting stuck
• Enjoys building, testing, breaking, fixing, and improving mechanical systems

Logistics

• Positions available: One or more interns
• Terms:
  • Spring 2027 — January/February through May/June
  • Summer 2027 — May/June through August/September
• Location: Pittsburgh, PA (on-site)

What We Offer

• Direct involvement in the mechanical development of advanced robotic hands and manipulation systems
• Experience taking designs through the complete development cycle — from CAD to fabrication, assembly, testing, and refinement
• Real ownership of engineering challenges, with tangible contributions to working robotic hardware
• Close collaboration with engineers in a fast-paced robotics startup environment
• Practical experience with rapid hardware development and design decisions driven by real-world testing

At FuturHand, we’re looking for someone who doesn’t just know how to CAD a part, but understands how to make a mechanism work.