Mechanical Engineering Intern, Machine Design (Summer 2027)

Scrap Labs; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Sick leave (Colorado)

Learning stipend

Mentorship and project ownership

Job summary

Scrap Labs is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Intern for Summer 2027 in Boulder, CO. The role involves designing, building, and validating mechanical systems for a metal 3D printer platform, moving from CAD to physical hardware with rapid prototyping.

You will work closely with a small team to iterate subsystems, create clean CAD drawings, and test assemblies on-site in a hands-on environment focused on learning and contribution.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering with sophomore standing by Summer 2027.
• CAD experience in at least one major tool; SolidWorks strongly preferred.
• Ability to work on site in Boulder, CO for the duration of the internship.

Responsibilities

• Design and iterate mechanical subsystems and fixtures for a metal 3D printer platform.
• Create and maintain CAD models and drawings, including clean assemblies and detailing.
• Build prototypes and test setups, then debug issues hands on and drive design improvements.
• Support integration with cross functional teams (electrical, firmware/software, optics/laser, process development).
• Perform basic sizing calculations and tolerance checks for structures, fasteners, and mechanisms.
• Assist with manufacturing and assembly.
• Document build and test results clearly with photos and revision changes.

Skills

CAD experience

SolidWorks

Hands-on build

On-site work

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

3D printing hardware

Job description

Open role Open Mechanical Engineering Intern, Machine Design (Summer 2027) Boulder, CO (On-site) Scrap Labs was founded under the belief that high performance metal 3D printing should be accessible to builders, labs, and small manufacturers, not just massive corporations. We are developing an ultra low cost, high performance metal powder bed fusion platform designed to be reproducible with off the shelf parts, minimal labor, and a scrappy, experimental ethos. As a Mechanical Engineering Intern, you will work alongside a small, high output group of engineers and technicians to design, build, and validate mechanical systems for our metal 3D printer platform. This is a hands on internship where you will move quickly from CAD to physical hardware, supporting rapid prototyping, integration, and test.

Responsibilities

• Design and iterate mechanical subsystems and fixtures for a metal powder bed fusion (SLM) 3D printer platform.
• Create and maintain CAD models and drawings, including clean assemblies and practical detailing.
• Build prototypes and test setups, then debug issues hands on and drive design improvements.
• Support integration with cross functional teams, electrical, firmware or software, optics or laser, and process development.
• Perform basic sizing calculations and tolerance checks for structures, fasteners, and mechanisms.
• Assist with manufacturing and assembly.
• Document build and test results clearly, including photos, notes, and revision changes.

Basic Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, with at least sophomore standing by Summer 2027.
• CAD experience in at least one major tool, SolidWorks strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated hands on build experience through projects, lab work, internships, or personal builds.
• Ability to work on site in Boulder, CO for the duration of the internship.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Prior experience with 3D printing, FDM, SLA, SLS, or metal additive, including print constraints and post processing basics.
• Experience designing mechanisms, bearings, belts, lead screws, and alignment sensitive assemblies.
• Familiarity with GD&T and tolerance strategy.
• Exposure to basic FEA or practical stiffness and deflection reasoning.
• Comfort working in a prototyping environment with tools, fixtures, and shop equipment.
• Strong communication, concise updates, clean documentation, and effective collaboration.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work safely in a prototyping shop environment.
• Physical requirements may include lifting, standing, bending, and working around shop equipment and active test setups.

Physical requirements vary by role.

Compensation And Benefits

• Weekly pay range: $800 to $1500 per week, depending on experience and demonstrated capability.
• Paid sick leave in accordance with Colorado requirements.
• Learning stipend for role relevant training, courses, and materials.
• Mentorship and structured feedback, including ownership of a real subsystem or fixture deliverable.