2026 Mechanical Product Engineering Co-op

As a Mechanical Product Development Co-Op, you will assist on a variety of product development projects, as well as assisting adjacent team projects. Activities include, but are not limited to designing, optimizing, and testing new and existing products to complement and enhance product offerings, continually improve quality, reduce warranty risk, and minimize production cost while sustaining a competitive advantage in the transportation industry. This position will also collaborate cross-functionally to integrate the needs of adjacent engineering, quality, and warranty departments.  

  

Time Commitment and Location: 

• This will be a 1 year commitment starting in January 2026 and ending in December 2026. Expected hours include 10-15 hours per week during the Spring semester, 40 hours per week during the summer semester, and 10-15 hours per week during the Fall semester 

• This position will be on-site at our Railyard location (1281 Win Hentschel Blvd, West Lafayette, IN 47906) so reliable transportation is needed 

  

Your Responsibilities:  

• Engineering, testing and validation as it relates to Van Trailers and Truck Bodies  

• Assist in solving customer problems by identifying and developing product solutions in terms of form, fit and function  

• Collaborate to specify product functional requirements, assist in identifying design failure mode risk (DFMEA), assist development of testing strategies (DVP&R) according to user needs based on internal and external standards and regulatory requirements, while assisting in managing cost and weight initiatives  

• Assist in the creation of testing methods and interpreting testing results  

• Support department initiatives (e.g., VA/VE, and new products) through Product Change Process  

• Assist team members with manufacturing on quality related process improvement projects, lean manufacturing projects, and equipment qualification/validation, through review of protocols and reports  

• Assist team members with warranty to solve customer related issues in an effective timely manner  

• Assist team members in internal and external corrective and preventive actions  

• Other duties as assigned  

Let’s Talk About Your Qualifications:  

• Pursuance of a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (ME), Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET), or equivalent  

• Some experience in product development and 3D CAD software (preferably SolidWorks)  

• Fundamental knowledge of basic manufacturability processes  

• Fundamental knowledge of material properties and Design for Manufacturability (DFM)  

• Fundamental knowledge of structural design 

• Fundamental knowledge of thermodynamics / heat and mass transfer 

• A working knowledge of statistics and data analysis 

• An understanding of sensors, strain gauges and thermocouples a plus 

• Proficiency in MS Office  

• Demonstrated written and verbal commun