Summer 2027 Engineering Internship

NextGenEnergyJobs; Portland, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

NextGenEnergyJobs is seeking Summer 2027 Engineering Interns across mechanical, manufacturing, and software disciplines. Interns will tackle real technical problems to support the development and scaling of our Node technology.

The role offers hands-on work with experienced engineers, technicians, and operators, with emphasis on initiative, documentation, and ownership of projects. Ideal candidates are currently pursuing an engineering-, CS-, or physics-related degree, and can work full-time

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in an engineering, computer science, physics, or related field.
• Strong technical fundamentals relevant to the student’s area of study.
• Hands-on experience through coursework, internships, student teams, or projects.

Responsibilities

• Work on real technical problems supporting Node technology development.
• Execute a clearly defined technical project with guidance from experienced team members.
• Build, test, troubleshoot, or improve physical or software systems.
• Analyze technical data to inform engineering or process decisions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Ambiguity tolerance

Team collaboration

Hands-on project work

Strong fundamentals

Fast-moving environment experience

Effective communication

Ownership and accountability

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in Engineering, CS, or Physics

Tools

CAD

Job description

Responsibilities

• Our core technology is the node, a device that produces energy in the ocean’s harshest conditions for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention.
• As a Summer 2027 Engineering Intern, you will work on real technical problems that directly support the development and scaling of our Node technology.
• We expect to hire interns across several engineering disciplines, including mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and software. Your specific project and responsibilities will depend on your background, interests, and the highest-priority technical needs of the team. You will work alongside experienced engineers, technicians, and operators.
• We are looking for exceptional students who have demonstrated technical ability, intellectual curiosity, initiative, and a track record of building, solving, or shipping difficult things.
• You will be expected to learn quickly, ask thoughtful questions, document your work, communicate openly, and take meaningful ownership of your project. Candidates should have effective interpersonal skills and be able to thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment.
• Responsibilities will vary by discipline and project, but may include:
• Own and execute a clearly defined technical project supporting our Node technology with guidance from experienced team members.
• Apply engineering fundamentals and analytical reasoning to solve technical problems.
• Build, test, troubleshoot, or improve physical or software systems.
• Analyze technical data and use results to inform engineering or process decisions.
• Create clear technical documentation, including designs, analyses, test results, software documentation, or process records.
• Participate in technical reviews and clearly communicate findings, tradeoffs, and recommendations.
• Take ownership of assigned work and proactively communicate progress and blockers.
• Incorporate feedback quickly and adapt as project priorities or requirements evolve.
• Cash compensation of $42.00 per hour.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in an engineering, computer science, physics, or other closely related technical field.
• Strong technical fundamentals relevant to your area of study.
• Demonstrated experience applying technical skills through coursework, research, internships, student teams, independent projects, or other hands‑on work.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working on problems where requirements or solutions may initially be ambiguous.
• Able to work full‑time and on‑site in Portland, Oregon for the duration of the internship, approximately mid‑June through early September 2027.
• Authorization to work in the United States for the full duration of the internship.
• Mechanical design, CAD, structural or thermal analysis, or hardware testing.
• Manufacturing engineering, process development, tooling, automation, quality, production systems, or design for manufacturability.
• Software development, data systems, automation, simulation, controls, infrastructure, or developer tooling.
• Skills with machining, fabrication, welding, electronics assembly, and prototyping.
• Designing and executing technical tests and analyzing the resulting data.
• Participation in technically demanding student teams or projects such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, robotics, rocketry, solar car, marine engineering, or similar programs.
• Experience taking a project from an ambiguous initial problem through implementation and validation.
• Exposure to renewable energy, marine systems, robotics, aerospace, industrial systems, manufacturing, or other complex hardware environments.
• Experience working in a fast‑moving technical environment where designs, processes, or software are tested and iterated quickly.
• The above qualifications are desired, not required. We encourage you to apply if you are a strong candidate with only some of the desired skills and experience listed.