Spring 2027 Mechanical Engineer Co-Op

Schneider Electric Corp; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Skills development opportunities

Collaborative workplace culture

Volunteer leave and community programs

Job summary

Schneider Electric in Cedar Rapids, IA, invites a Co‑Op Engineer to support the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) Engineering team. You will gain hands‑on experience in design, testing, validation, and continuous improvement of low‑voltage electrical products via mentored tasks and data‑driven analysis.

You will learn how electrical protection products are designed, validated and documented, acquire practical problem‑solving skills, and work alongside multiple engineering groups to deliver robust

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Electromechanical or related field.
• Strong academic grounding in circuits, power systems, mechanics, materials, heat transfer, CAD, statistics and data analysis.
• Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Support design validation, optimization, and maintenance of MCB products and electromechanical components.
• Assist evaluations of mechanical components, current-carrying parts, mechanisms, assemblies, and interfaces.
• Prepare and review engineering drawings, CAD models, BOMs, specs, and design documentation.
• Interpret electrical test results and relate observations to product design.
• Analyze test results using Excel, statistics, and graphical methods.
• Contribute to root-cause analyses using structured problem‑solving methods.
• Collaborate with Continuous Engineering, Product Development, Manufacturing, Quality and Lab teams.
• Participate in engineering meetings and laboratory reviews.

Skills

Electrical circuits

Circuit analysis

Mechanics

Materials and manufacturing processes

Heat transfer

Engineering drawing

Statistics

Engineering laboratory methods

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical/Mechanical/Electromechanical or related field

Tools

3D CAD modeling

GD&T

Lab instrumentation

Excel & data analysis

Job description

As a Co-Op Engineer supporting the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) Engineering team, you will gain hands‑on experience in the design, development, testing, validation, and continuous improvement of low-voltage electrical products.

Working under the guidance of experienced engineers, you will apply electrical and mechanical engineering fundamentals to support product investigations, laboratory testing, engineering analysis, design activities, and technical documentation. You will learn how electrical protection products are designed and validated while developing practical skills in problem solving, testing, data analysis, product design, and engineering standards.

This role is intended for students who demonstrate strong technical curiosity and a solid academic foundation in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or a closely related discipline, with particular interest in understanding how electrical and mechanical principles interact within protective devices.

Duration: 6 months, January-June 2027

Key Responsibilities

• Support engineers in the design validation, optimization, and maintenance of MCB products and electromechanical components.
• Assist with engineering evaluations of mechanical components, current-carrying parts, operating mechanisms, assemblies, and product interfaces.
• Support the preparation and review of engineering drawings, CAD models, technical specifications, Bills of Material (BOM), and design documentation.
• Support evaluation of current-carrying components, electrical connections, interruption mechanisms, thermal behavior, insulation, electrical clearances and creepage, and product safety requirements.
• Assist experienced engineers in interpreting electrical test results and relating observed behavior to product design.
• Analyze test results using Excel, statistical techniques, graphical analysis, and comparative testing.
• Support structured investigations of product and manufacturing issues using methods such as 5 Whys, Ishikawa/Fishbone, 5M+1D, Six Sigma, and data-driven root-cause analysis.
• Assist with failure of characterization, measurement, sample preparation, data collection, hypothesis testing, and evidence documentation.
• Compare conforming and non-conforming products to identify meaningful differences and potential contributors failure.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations summarizing problem statements, observations, analyses, test results, conclusions, and recommended follow‑up activities.
• Work alongside Continuous engineering, Product Development, Manufacturing, Quality, and Laboratory teams.
• Participate in engineering meetings, laboratory reviews, problem-solving sessions, and technical discussions.

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the following disciplines: Electrical, Mechanical, Electromechanical or another related field.
• Strong academic understanding of engineering fundamentals, with coursework or practical experience in several of the following areas:
  • Electrical circuits and basic power systems
  • Circuit analysis and electrical measurements
  • Mechanics and mechanical design
  • Materials and manufacturing processes
  • Heat transfer and thermal principles
  • Engineering drawing and CAD
  • Statistics and engineering data analysis
  • Engineering laboratory methods and experimentation
• Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The company does not provide sponsorship now or in the future.

Preferred Technical Skills

• Exposure to 3D CAD modeling and engineering drawings
• Basic understanding of GD&T and dimensional tolerancing
• Familiarity with electrical measurement equipment or laboratory instrumentation
• Interest in engineering testing and product validation
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and technical data analysis
• Exposure to statistical analysis and structured root‑cause problem solving
• Awareness of DFM/DFA principles
• Interest in low-voltage electrical distribution and protection products
• Prior knowledge of MCBs or UL 489 is not required. Candidates should demonstrate strong engineering fundamentals, technical curiosity, and the ability to learn product technology quickly and connect theoretical concepts with observed product behavior.

For this U.S. based position, the expected pay range is USD $23.00-$35.50 per hour. Our pay ranges are determined by reviewing roles of similar responsibility and level. Within the pay range, individual pay is determined by several factors including performance, knowledge, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Looking to make an IMPACT with your career?

When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters. At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We believe that our IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork – starts with us.

IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play. It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.

We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.

€40 billion global revenue

+9% organic growth

150 000+ employees in 100+ countries

Our Total Rewards package outlines all the benefits and support you’ll enjoy as part of the Schneider Electric team:

• Grow Your Skills and Career. We support development through performance discussions, global opportunities, the Schneider Career Hub, and learning platforms like Coursera.
• Team Up in the Workplace. We encourage collaboration, recognition, sharing your voice, and an inclusive workplace.
• Support Your Community. We make a difference through volunteer leave, programs with the Schneider Electric Foundation, youth education initiatives, and military leave benefits.

Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and ‘inclusion’ is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do.

At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value. Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders. You can find out more about our Trust Charter here

Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.