Product Development Engineering Co-op - Fall 2027

Eaton; Hodges (SC); On-site; USD 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Eaton's Hodges, SC co-op program offers hands-on design and development work for busway products. You will contribute to pre-launch research through manufacturing launch and participate in tech developments within the innovation pipeline for Busway products.

The role involves CAD modeling, testing, certification, and analysis of design test results, with close coordination with engineering, operations, and supply chain teams to meet project milestones.

Qualifications

• Must be pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or Engineering Technology.
• Minimum GPA 2.8 or higher (no rounding).
• Willing to relocate to Hodges, SC; relocation assistance outside 50-mile radius.

Responsibilities

• Perform CAD modeling, design simulation, BOM creation, ECO processing and product testing.
• Assist design tests, calibrations and witness tests for certifying bodies (UL/CSA/ISTA).
• Analyze test results and suggest design improvements to engineering.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet project timelines and safety standards.

Skills

Phase gate project management tools

Global business environment

ERP systems

VOC experience

CAD/SolidWorks/Inventor

Engineering tests

Team-driven product development

Zero Incident Safety

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Mechatronics/EE/Engineering Technology

Tools

CAD/SolidWorks/Inventor

ERP systems

Job description

What You'll Do

Fall 2027 Start Date: Sophomore - $22.15, Junior - $24.92, Senior - $27.69

Primary Responsibility

The Product Development Engineering Co-op will work under the guidance of the engineering team and is responsible for design and development of innovative solutions for the Busway product line. This position will contribute to the overall success of the product line with involvement in pre-launch project research through manufacturing launch as well as participating in technology developments within the innovation pipeline for both Pow-R-Way III and Powerwave 2 busway. Functional responsibility includes design, testing and certification of busway and busplug assemblies with respect to performance, reliability, DFMA, and cost optimization of the final product. This position will work closely with the Engineering Manager, Program Manager, Engineering and MOL Supervisors, Mechanical Engineers, Product Line Marketing Manager, Operations team members, Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing personnel in order to develop products per our Pro-Launch process.

What You'll Do

• Assist technical personnel in recommending changes pertaining to dimensions, fits, tolerances, finishes, configuration, material and processes of parts and assemblies to enhance the possibility for design to pass design tests.
• Using basic mathematical principles make necessary mathematical computations and mechanical setups involved in the process of running electrical design tests.
• Understand and demonstrate knowledge of test equipment at on-site lab - impulse generator, current generator, Hi-pot box, environmental chamber along with oscilloscopes, oscillograms, camera, and digital camera
• Assist in preparing equipment for design tests – support the equipment, making electrical connections to the test equipment, attaching thermal couples, applying insulation techniques, etc.
• Complete test reports and all data entry using a computer, printer, photographs.
• Assist witness tests for ETL, UL, CSA, and other certifying organizations.
• Conduct required tests and calibration using design test equipment described above under the direction of technical personnel.
• Analyze design test results, such as temperature rise data, and make structure change recommendations to improve test results, if necessary.
• Work with engineering sketches and oral instructions and/or engineering to set-up and perform design tests.
• Provide prompt responses to design test requests to support production and customer ship dates.
• Identify special or unusual conditions of design test failure modes, recommend design fixes to engineering, and assist engineering in developmental work.
• Become familiar with all industry standards (IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, IEC, UL, & CSA) as necessary, to perform required equipment design tests.
• Required travel to high power labs, like Belmont Labs, Belmont, NC or KEMA Labs, Chalfont, PA to assist engineering perform design tests, such as short circuit current and are resistant tests.
• Obtains all necessary information to perform job assignment from Engineers and manager. Works with little supervision to act as the primary contact for coordination of improvements.
• Researches, analyzes, and helps specify purchases and equipment required for Design Lab projects with assistance from the Manufacturing and Maintenance of Line Engineers.
• Under direction from Engineers, modify or create technical drawings, material specs, work instructions, and relevant safety documentation.

Essential Functions

• Perform CAD solid modeling, design simulation, product specifications, drawing packages, Bill of Material (BOM) and Engineering Change Order (ECO) creation, systems development, product testing and design validation
• Design parts and assemblies which include component types including: sheet metal, plastics, mechanisms, electrical and wiring, and/or packaging
• Participate in new product development/introduction, innovation, idea creation and implementation, prototype assembly and testing, DFMA assessments, plus other design-to-industrialization activities
• Participate in project management and engaging with multi-disciplined teams to achieve goals using ProLaunch and other project management tools
• Participate in Voice of the Customer (VOC) product and market requirements research
• Maintain and upgrade existing products through MOL (Maintenance of Line) plus VAVE activity support
• Provide assistance with 3rd party certifications such as UL, CSA, ISTA, and other regulatory agencies
• Ensure timely completion to project commitment dates
• Perform all operations using the highest safety and hygiene standards, electrical practices and established procedures. Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe workplace.
• Work from written or verbal information, sketches, and drawings to perform design tests necessary to prove engineering designs, modifications, and improvements.

Basic Qualifications

• Must be pursuing a bachelor's degree or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or Engineering Technology from an accredited institution
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher (please don't round)
• Must be willing to relocate to the Hodges, SC site for the co-op. Relocation assistance will be provided for candidates that reside outside a 50-mile radius of Hodges, SC

Skills

• Understanding of phase gate project management tools and techniques
• Experience working in a global business environment and with remote teams
• Knowledge using ERP systems
• Voice of the Customer (VOC) experience
• CAD/SolidWorks/Inventor solid modeling experience and the ability to develop detailed 2D drawings with tolerance controls plus management of engineering documents via Engineering Change Order process
• Experience performing various engineering tests and analyzing results
• Contribute to team-driven product development projects with high level of personal accountability, and excellent communication skills
• Adherence to Zero Incident Safety culture and processes