Systems Engineering Intern, Winter 2026

Mill; San Bruno (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Mill is a waste prevention technology company reimagining what it means to eliminate waste, starting with food. You’ll work on a novel consumer product with a tight-knit team, gaining hands-on experience with hardware, lab equipment, and CAD design tools across building, testing and analysis toward launch.

The internship emphasizes learning and creative challenge, with collaboration across firmware, product design, and system engineering to drive prototypes toward mass production readiness.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering (in progress allowed).
• Experience with electro-mechanical design and manufacturing processes.
• Proficient in 3D CAD (NX preferred; SolidWorks/Fusion okay).
• Proficient in rapid prototyping methods.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on system design and validation of new products.
• Build test setups and explore control methods for our system.
• Assist with firmware collaboration to troubleshoot performance.
• Develop prototypes and test to move design toward mass production.

Skills

3D CAD

Rapid prototyping

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Nx

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

Job description

Mill is a waste prevention technology company reimagining what it means to eliminate waste, starting with food. We build smart systems and infrastructure for homes, businesses, and municipalities that transform food scraps from landfill-bound waste into valuable resources, including chicken feed. Tens of thousands of Mill’s residential food recyclers are already helping households divert millions of pounds of food scraps every year, paving the way for our upcoming launch of Mill Commercial—the industry’s first end-to-end solution for managing, understanding, and preventing food waste in commercial environments (e.g. grocery, restaurants, food services). At Mill, we are passionate about building easy-to-use, beautifully designed technologies that keep food in the food system and out of landfills.

As a Hardware Systems Engineering intern at Mill, you’ll be working with a tight-knit, fast-paced team on a novel consumer product. Your day-to-day will include hands-on work with hardware components and lab equipment as well as CAD design tools. Since we’re a small team, your work and learning will span Building, Testing, and Analysis as we push towards launch. This internship is for someone who wants to learn and be creatively challenged.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Mill cross functional team on the system design and validation of new products.
• Building test setups and exploring new ways to control our system
• Support system engineering testing activities by working with firmware, and product designers to troubleshoot and drive system level performance.
• Develop prototypes and execute tests in order to drive design towards mass production maturity.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS, MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering (obtained or in progress)
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes and material selection for the design and development of electro-mechanical systems.
• Proficient in 3D CAD (prefer Nx, but solidworks / fusion okay).
• Proficient in a variety of rapid prototyping methods.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with simulation tools (FEA and thermal) and statistical analysis methods.
• Experience with designing for high volume manufacturing (DFM/DFA).

The estimated base hourly range for this position is $35 to $45, which does not include the value of benefits or a potential equity grant. A wide range of factors are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets, market conditions, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and business and organizational needs. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor an employment visa for this role