Mechanical Engineering Co-Op (Spring-Summer 2027)

Battelle; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 28,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Hybrid work model

Flexible schedules

Networking events

Inclusion programs

Job summary

Battelle is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Co-op for Spring/Summer 2027 in Columbus, Ohio. You will join a multi-disciplinary team to work on ocean-use projects, sensor packaging, underwater vehicle payloads, and support equipment.

You will collaborate with engineers, scientists and technicians to deliver specialized equipment under time and budget constraints, while applying creativity to solve technical challenges and reporting progress regularly.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Ocean or Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent) from an ABET-accredited university.
• At least one year of college coursework completed.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated initiative to be a self-starter with a desire to learn beyond the classroom.
• willingness to ask questions/seek guidance as needed.
• Creativity and ownership of assignments.
• Proven ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Must be a sole US Citizen with ability to obtain government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support engineering projects for use in ocean and other challenging environments.
• Work with CAD designers, engineers, scientists, fabricators and technicians in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Assist with design, product and material research/selection, fabrication, testing and lab support.
• Execute tasks and report status; travel may be required.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Self-starter

Curiosity/creativity

Independence

Teamwork

Education

ABET-accredited program

1+ year coursework completed

Tools

SolidWorks

Pro/E

ANSYS/Abaqus

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Python

Job description

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity’s most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

At Battelle, interns and co‑ops make an impact through hands‑on learning and exciting and challenging projects. Our interns are an integral part of the teams they support and will feel like they are a true, valued team member. We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

A brighter future is possible with you.

Job Summary

We are currently seeking a Mechanical Engineering Co-Op for Spring/Summer 2027. This position is full-time, onsite located in Columbus, Ohio.

The Defense Materials Solutions team is made up of engineers, designers, technicians, scientists and analysts contracted by the US Government to develop unique solutions to design challenges that often border on the impossible.

The Mechanical Engineering Co-op will be an integral part of the multi‑disciplinary teams that we form around each project.

Our team‑based approach means you will work side‑by‑side with Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Materials Scientists and other disciplines needed for each project under time and budget restrictions to deliver specialized equipment for a variety of government and commercial customers.

Your coworkers will range from other co‑ops and new graduates all the way to those with 30+ years of experience. The unique backgrounds and work experiences brought by each team member lends diversity to the development process, which results in both product innovation as well as an engaging work environment.

The successful candidate is curious and creative in problem solving and self‑motivated to execute tasks and report on their status. They are expected to persistently pursue the best solution to technical challenges through application of their own skills and by seeking and leveraging the inputs of collaborators.

Responsibilities

The candidate will support engineering projects for use in ocean and other challenging environments. Product areas include sensor packaging, underwater vehicle payloads and support equipment, and underwater energy and communications systems. The candidate will typically work on teams with CAD designers, engineers, scientists, fabricators, and technicians in a multi‑disciplinary environment under time and budget restrictions to deliver specialized equipment for a variety of customers.

The candidate will support design, product and material research/selection, fabrication, testing, lab support/maintenance, and working on hardware. The successful candidate will execute tasks and be required to report on their status. Travel may be required.

Key Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Ocean or Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent) curriculum from an ABET‑accredited university
• At least one year of college coursework completed
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated initiative to be a self‑starter with a desire to learn that extends beyond the classroom
• Willingness to ask questions/seek guidance as needed
• Creativity
• Take ownership of assignments
• Proven ability to successfully work independently or as part of a larger team
• Must be a sole US Citizen with ability to obtain government security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Extra‑curricular hands‑on experience that involves fabrication, integration, control and/or repair of mechanical systems
• Experience using SolidWorks and/or Pro/E mechanical modeling tools
• Experience using FEA analysis tools, such as ANSYS or Abaqus
• Experience using LabView and/or scientific programming language such as MATLAB or Python

Compensation Data

The salary range for this role is $20.00 – $40.00 per hour, in addition to a $2,000 housing stipend for students relocating more than 50 miles from home and university. Internship pay is benchmarked against national averages taking into consideration a student's major and year in school.

Preparing You for Career Success

The Battelle intern and co‑op program is a great way to increase experience both on a team and as an independent contributor. Ninety‑eight percent of internship survey respondents said they felt better prepared to enter the workforce after their Battelle internship and 100% said they were treated with respect by their colleagues.

You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to:

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects
• Pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
• Partner with world‑class experts in a collaborative environment
• Become the next generation of scientific leaders and business professionals

Are you ready to help solve the most important challenges of today and tomorrow?

If so, we are ready to support you with:

• Flexible work schedules: Most teams follow a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off
• Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in‑office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in‑office days, dependent on team and position needs.
• Employee Resource Groups that help cultivate an inclusive and welcoming community
• Social and professional networking events with Battelle Senior Leadership and your colleagues
• Opportunities for philanthropic involvement to give back and make an impact in the community

Vaccinations & Safety Protocols

Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients’ requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran‑status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members.

No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit www.battelle.org/careers