Product Development Engineering Co-Op – Year-Round (Halstead, KS)

Continental Industry; Halstead (KS); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Co-op

Mentorship by experienced engineers

Hands-on manufacturing exposure

Opportunities across multiple semester

Job summary

Continental invites a driven mechanical engineering student to join our Product Development team as a year‑round co-op at the Halstead, Kansas facility. You will assist design, testing, and optimization of rubber belting products used across agricultural applications, gaining exposure to calendering, extrusion, and curing processes.

You will collaborate with engineers and cross‑functional teams to evaluate belt performance, improve designs, and contribute to durability and efficiency

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering with sophomore standing and a 2.8+ GPA.
• Fundamental knowledge of mechanical design, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD or similar).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Legal eligibility to work in the United States; no visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Assist design and development of rubber belting products and components.
• Support product testing and validation (tensile strength, adhesion, wear, durability).
• Collect, analyze, and report test data and performance results.
• Create/update CAD models, technical drawings, and product specifications.
• Participate in prototype development and manufacturing trials.
• Assist with root-cause analysis of failures or quality issues.
• Support continuous improvement of product design and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and operations to ensure producibility.
• Document findings and present reports to engineering leadership.

Skills

CAD software proficiency

Analytical skills

Data interpretation

MS Office

Communication & teamwork

Mechanical design understanding

Manufacturing processes familiarity

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Sophomore standing with 2.8+ GPA

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

THE COMPANY

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist that develops and produces sustainable, safe and convenient solutions for automotive manufacturers as well as industrial and end customers worldwide. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €39.7 billion in 2024 and currently employs around 95,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

Company Description

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist that develops and produces sustainable, safe and convenient solutions for automotive manufacturers as well as industrial and end customers worldwide. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €39.7 billion in 2024 and currently employs around 95,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

ContiTech is one of the world’s leading industry specialists. The Continental group sector offers its customers connected, environment-friendly, safe and convenient industry and service solutions using a range of materials for off-highway applications, on rails and roads, in the air, under and above the ground, in industrial environments, for the food sector and the furniture industry. With about 39,000 employees in more than 40 countries and sales of some 6.4 billion euros (2024), the global industrial partner is active with core branches in Asia, Europe and North and South America.

Are you ready to shape the future with us?

Job Description

THE POSITION

Product Development Engineering Co-op

Year-Round | Multiple Semester Opportunity

We are seeking a motivated engineering student to join our Product Development team in a year-round Co-op opportunity. This position is designed to continue across multiple semesters, providing the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in product development within a real-world manufacturing environment.

As a Co-op on the R&D team, you will support the design, development, and testing of rubber belting products used in agricultural applications. You will gain hands-on experience working with engineered materials, product performance testing, and manufacturing processes such as calendering, extrusion, and curing.

You will collaborate with engineers and cross-functional teams to evaluate belt performance, improve product designs, and contribute to innovation efforts focused on durability, efficiency, and customer requirements.

Schedule: Year-round opportunity; expected to continue across multiple semesters. Schedule will be coordinated around the student's academic requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the design and development of rubber belting products and components.
• Support product testing and validation, including tensile strength, adhesion, wear, and durability testing.
• Collect, analyze, and report on test data and product performance results.
• Help create and update CAD models, technical drawings, and product specifications.
• Participate in prototype development and trial runs within manufacturing.
• Assist with root cause analysis of product failures or quality issues.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to product design and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to ensure product designs meet production capabilities.
• Document findings and present technical reports and project updates to engineering leadership.

Qualifications

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Students must be at a minimum sophomore standing with a GPA of 2.8 or higher.
• Basic understanding of mechanical design, material properties, and manufacturing processes.
• Interest in rubber materials, polymers, or industrial product applications.
• Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to collect, interpret, and present technical data.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas now or in the future for this job opening.

Additional Ways To Stand Out

• Coursework or experience related to polymers, rubber materials, or materials science.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as extrusion, calendering, or curing/press operations.
• Experience with laboratory testing equipment, including tensile testing, hardness, or abrasion testing.
• Exposure to product development, testing, or quality engineering projects.
• Hands-on experience in manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial environments.

Additional Information

WHAT WE OFFER

• Paid, year-round Co-op opportunity with competitive hourly compensation.
• Opportunity to continue the Co-op across multiple semesters while completing your degree.
• Hands-on experience working with industrial rubber products and manufacturing processes.
• Opportunity to contribute to real-world R&D and product performance improvement projects.
• Mentorship from experienced engineers specializing in rubber belting and materials.
• Exposure to product lifecycle processes from design and material selection through testing and production.
• Cross-functional experience with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams.
• Networking opportunities and potential consideration for future full-time engineering opportunities.

Students from locations outside of the United States must be employed by Continental in their home country or actively enrolled in a Continental-sponsored international intern program to be considered for a Co-op in the United States. The Company does not sponsor visas for international Co-op students.

ContiTech, Halstead Facility will not offer relocation for this Co-op.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.