Research and Development Engineering Co-op

AgZen, Inc.; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

AgZen, Inc. is seeking a sharp Research and Development Engineering Co-op to help develop and implement products for the 2027 growing season.

The paid position may include 40% field work and travel to farms across the US, with collaboration across engineering teams in a fast-paced startup environment. You will contribute to product development and testing, mechanical and software aspects, and in-lab experimentation, data analysis, and documentation for end-users.

Qualifications

• Hands-on product development through lab testing and rapid prototyping.
• Solid understanding of statistical methods and data visualization.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Set up equipment and materials for lab spray testing.
• Assist in-lab experimentation on spray hardware and software.
• Produce product documentation for end-users and install teams.
• Follow experimental protocols and ensure products work properly.
• Collect data, upload it, and assist with model labeling.

Skills

Hands-on prototyping

Data visualization

Statistical methods

Team collaboration

Education

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Environmental science

Agronomy

Tools

3D printing

SolidWorks

Job description

This is a temporary/seasonal position running from January 2027 through June 2027.

AgZen’s mission is to make agrochemical spraying more efficient and eliminate pesticide waste. Our patented retrofits allow farmers to spray up to 50% less agrochemicals while improving pest/disease control, crop health, and yield. We are a vibrant startup based in Boston, Massachusetts, and we are committed to helping farmers save money and preventing the over-spraying of agrochemicals. AgZen is venture-backed, has raised over $10.5M of capital, and was awarded over $600K in prizes and awards from prestigious competitions like the MIT 100K and the Rice business plan competition.

We are looking for a sharp, tenacious, and creative Research and Development Engineering Co-op to help with the development and implementation of AgZen’s products. This paid position will collaborate directly with AgZen’s engineering teams, working on various projects and products to reduce pesticide use, focusing on our products’ readiness and implementation for the 2027 growing season. The internship has the possibility to include projects with the following topics: product development and testing, mechanical design, software development, hardware development, in-lab experimentation and data analysis. Strong communication, teamwork, and the desire to learn in a fast-paced environment are all essential skills for a successful applicant. This role could also involve up to 40% field work that will require some level of travel.

What you will do:

• Setup of equipment and materials for agrochemical spray testing in lab.
• Assist in-lab experimentation on spray hardware and software that will translate to on-field implementation.
• Produce product documentation for end-users and support teams installing and using our products.
• Follow and maintain experimental protocols to ensure our products work properly.
• Collect data, upload it, and assist with model labeling and processing.
• Perform basic maintenance and troubleshooting on equipment in the lab and field following safety guidelines.
• Aid in the design and manufacturing of the hardware of our products as necessary.
• Collaborate with AgZen’s engineering teams on other tasks as needed.
• Maintain detailed logs to record on-field and in-lab variabilities and conditions.
• Travel to farms within the US to install and maintain our products in use as needed.
• Present bi-weekly updates on progress to AgZen’s technical team.

About you:

• You are passionate, genuinely curious, and innovative
• You have unwavering personal integrity and work ethic
• You are proactive, productive, and complete tasks promptly
• You excel in a team-centric environment that is transparent and accountable
• You are passionate about building new technologies that integrate different fields
• You are adaptable and excel working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing or completed an undergraduate/graduate degree in mechanical engineering, environmental science, electrical engineering, agronomy, agribusiness, crop sciences, application technology, or a related field.
• Hands‑on product development through lab testing and experimentation, including rapid prototyping
• Solid grasp of statistical methods, data visualization and representation.
• 3D printing and Solidworks experience a plus
• Ability to understand and interact with agricultural equipment and technology a plus.
• Basic understanding of crop production, crop protection, and agriculture a plus.
• Ability to work well in a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in heat and humidity.