Manufacturing Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)

We're building safety-enhancing technology for aviation that will save lives. Automated aviation systems will enable a future where air transportation is safer, more convenient and fundamentally transformative to the way goods — and eventually people — move around the planet. We are a team of mission-driven engineers with experience across aerospace, robotics and self-driving cars working to make this future a reality.

As a Manufacturing Engineering Intern, you will work side by side with manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers to transition the Reliable Autonomy System (RAS) into production. In this role, you will work directly with mechanical, electromechanical, and avionics hardware while helping build the scalable processes and shop-floor processes infrastructure that underpin our production operations. This role offers direct ownership in a fast-paced, safety-critical aerospace environment, giving you visibility into the full lifecycle from initial design review to shop-floor execution.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Hardware Integration & Assembly: Assemble, route, inspect, and test prototype and flight-grade electromechanical subassemblies, wire harnesses, and avionics packages.
• Process Documentation: Author standard operating procedures (SOPs) and clear visual work instructions to establish repeatable, high-reliability build processes.
• Design for Excellence (DFx): Collaborate with design engineering on DFM/DFA/DFT to optimize components for producibility, assembly ergonomics, inspectability, and yield.
• Tooling & Fixture Development: Design, 3D print, and machine custom assembly jigs, test fixtures, and alignment tooling to improve throughput and operator safety.
• Production Line Setup: Help design workstations, optimize line layout, and implement lean 5S standards to prepare the shop floor for low-rate initial production (LRIP).
• Continuous Improvement & Root Cause: Support root-cause investigations on hardware non-conformances (NCRs) and implement corrective actions (CAPA) to improve first-pass yield.

BASIC SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Current undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Electrical, or Mechatronics Engineering (Junior or Senior standing preferred).
• Demonstrated hands-on hardware experience through collegiate engineering teams (e.g., Formula SAE, DBF, Baja, AIAA, Robotics), student maker spaces, personal technical projects, or a prior engineering internship.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret mechanical engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, or electrical schematics.
• Foundational proficiency in 3D CAD modeling (e.g., Siemens NX, SolidWorks).
• Comfort working actively on the production floor with hand tools, shop equipment, and basic diagnostic hardware (torque tools, multimeters, oscilloscopes).
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs and navigate an active manufacturing floor environment.

This position requires access to information that is subject to U.S. export controls. An offer of employment will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to perform in compliance with U.S. export control laws.

All applicants are asked to provide documentation that legally establishes status as a U.S. person or non-U.S. person (and nationalities in the case of a non-U.S. person). Where the applicant is not a U.S. person, meaning not a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident, (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or not otherwise permitted to access the export-controlled technology without U.S. government authorization, the Company reserves the right not to apply for an export license for such applicants whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code requires authorization and may decline to proceed with the application process and any offer of employment on that basis.

At Reliable Robotics, our goal is to be a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, ancestry, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability or medical conditions, national origin, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other basis covered by applicable law. All employment and promotion is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to work@reliable.co