Mechanical Engineer Co-op

Southwire Company; Carrollton (GA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with Matching & Pension Plan

Flexible Work Schedules

Job summary

Southwire Company, LLC invites motivated students to join its North Campus internship or co‑op program for the summer. The program blends formal learning with hands‑on projects in maintenance, engineering, and manufacturing, giving real‑world experience and exposure to senior leadership.

The Mechanical Engineering Co‑Op will work on capital projects, reliability improvements, and process enhancements, with a defined project and milestones from concept to delivery.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum sophomore standing for co‑op or internship participation.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and interest in manufacturing and industrial systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Support capital and reliability projects through concept, design, procurement, installation, and commissioning.
• Develop and maintain engineering drawings and documentation using CAD software.
• Design improvements for safety and productivity, including guarding, tooling, and fixtures.
• Conduct studies to identify cost reductions and reliability improvements.
• Assist with root cause analysis and corrective actions for equipment issues.
• Prepare technical specs, project scopes, quotes, and cost estimates.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

MS Office

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Sophomore standing

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, utility products, metal‑clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment, electrical components, hand tools andjobsite power and lighting solutions. The company also offers digital solutions including contractor planning and utility grid resiliency as well as field services including cable testing, rejuvenation and replacement to support our customers as a value‑add partner.

The purpose of Southwire’s College Programs is to provide valuable experience to students pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our goal is to give students meaningful work that builds on what they are learning in the classroom. Our programs are project based. Students will receive a project at the beginning of the summer and present it in our project expo at the end of the summer. Ourmore thanseven decades of progressive growth can be attributed to our determination to developinnovative systems and solutions, exercising environmental stewardshipand enhancing the well‑being ofthe communitiesin which we work and live.How will you power what’spossible?

Location:North Campus

Shift: May 17th - Aug 6th

Pay Rate: $21.00– $23.00

Job Description

Job Summary/Objective:
The purpose of Southwire’s College Programs is to help early career professionals bring together formal learning and

productive work to improve their ability to transition from school to work. Southwire provides interns and co‑ops with

“real world” applications of their academic studies, helpful feedback and coaching, and consideration for employment

after graduation. Each student will have a variety of responsibilities and assigned projects that relate to their field of

study and be responsible for developing a timeline, progress updates, and final delivery in a senior leadership expo.

Note: All new interns and co‑ops must begin in the summer rotation.

Ready to explore new horizons in your own development as a Southwire Intern or Co‑op and help us

power what’s possible?

Key Responsibilities

• Your intern assignment is generally 10-12 weeks, and co‑op assignment is generally 16-18 weeks and will include an assigned project and opportunities to present your work.
• You will also collaborate on other exciting projects and work with talented peers and inspirational leaders, many of whom began as interns and co‑ops themselves.
• You will be provided a robust developmental experience through an immersive onboarding and offboarding experience, assigned a mentor, networking opportunities, organized events, activities, and
• You will have the opportunity to impact the future of the organization, all the while being exposed to a world‑class program community.
• Finally, our rising senior interns and co‑ops are considered for full‑time employment opportunities.

Long Description

Position Summary

The Mechanical Engineering Co‑Op will support the North Campus Maintenance & Engineering team by participating in capital projects, reliability improvements, equipment design, and manufacturing process enhancements. This role provides hands‑on experience in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment, allowing students to apply engineering principles to real‑world challenges while working alongside operations, maintenance, and engineering professionals.

The co‑op will assist with projects from concept through implementation, including design development, cost estimation, installation support, and performance evaluation. Opportunities will include improving equipment reliability, enhancing safety, reducing operating costs, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Support capital and reliability projects from concept, design, procurement, installation, and commissioning.
• Develop and maintain engineering drawings, models, and documentation using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar CAD software.
• Design and improve machine guarding, tooling, fixtures, and process equipment to enhance safety and productivity.
• Conduct engineering studies to identify opportunities for cost reduction, equipment reliability improvements, and process optimization.
• Assist with root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective action development for equipment failures and operational challenges.
• Prepare technical specifications, project scopes, quotes, and cost estimates for proposed improvements.
• Evaluate equipment and process performance through data analysis and field observations.
• Collaborate with maintenance, operations, and production teams to develop practical engineering solutions.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance initiatives through equipment assessments and engineering recommendations.
• Participate in safety initiatives and ensure designs comply with applicable standards and company requirements.
• Assist with vendor communication, equipment selection, and project execution activities.
• Document project results and present findings to engineering and plant leadership teams.

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum sophomore standing with eligibility to participate in a co‑op or internship program.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and interest in manufacturing and industrial systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a manufacturing environment.
• Reliable transportation to and from work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous engineering co‑op, internship, or hands‑on manufacturing experience.
• Experience with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or other 2D/3D CAD software.
• Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Familiarity with reliability engineering, maintenance practices, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience reading mechanical drawings, blueprints, and schematics.
• Exposure to project management or capital project execution.

Benefits We Offer:

• 401k with Matching & Pension Plan (Eligible for Pension after 1,000 Hours Worked)
• Flexible Work Schedules

Southwire is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.