Supplier Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)

We are seeking an ambitious, multi-disciplinary Supplier Engineering Intern to support the industrialization, qualification, and operational scaling of mission-critical aerospace hardware. In this role, you will bridge design engineering and external manufacturing partners, overseeing high-reliability avionics electronics, precision-machined mechanical hardware, and other hardware required for electro-mechanical assemblies (e.g., actuators, air-to-air radars, flight computers, etc.). You will gain hands-on aerospace production experience applying Design for Excellence (DFx), GD&T verification, precision metrology, statistical process control, and supplier quality frameworks to ensure all flight hardware meets rigorous airworthiness and reliability standards.

Responsibilities

• Design for Excellence (DFx): Partner with mechanical and electrical engineers on DFM, DFA, and DFT reviews to optimize tooling, tolerances, component footprints, and producibility.

• Supplier Industrialization: Support manufacturing line ramp-up across CNC machining, plating/coating, electro-mechanical actuator assembly, SMT, underfill, potting, and enclosures.

• Risk & Quality Planning: Participate in Process FMEAs, Control Plans, and Gage R&R studies to mitigate supplier manufacturing risks early.

• Qualification & Verification: Track part qualifications via Line Proofing, PPAP, and AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAIs).

• Technical Assessments & Sourcing: Assist with technical capability audits and risk evaluations of machine shops, platers, and electronics manufacturers against AS9100 and industry standards.

• Receiving & Inspection (RIPs): Draft incoming inspection plans and define verification criteria for raw materials, machined parts, PCBs, and PCBAs.

• Metrology & Test: Support incoming inspection using CMM, optical comparators, surface profilometers, AOI, AXI, and cross-sectioning.

• SPC & Traceability: Help deploy statistical sampling plans, track capability metrics, and ensure complete traceability.

• RCCA & Yield Optimization: Assist with root cause investigations (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone) for machining, assembly, and test defects; drive mistake-proofing (Poka-Yoke) and First Pass Yield (FPY) gains.

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.

Preferred Success Criteria

• Familiarity with aerospace/electronics manufacturing quality standards (e.g., IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC-A-610, AS9100).

• Exposure to enterprise engineering software such as Altium Designer, Siemens NX, and PLM/MES platforms (e.g., Teamcenter, Manufacturo).

• Working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T per ASME Y14.5) and basic tolerance stack-up analysis.

• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing and structured problem-solving methodologies (5S, Poka-Yoke, 5-Whys, Fishbone, 8D).