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Automotive Design Internship Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

This is not a traditional internship. You'll work directly alongside experienced automotive HMI ... Design next-generation digital cockpit experiences for automotive platforms * Create high-fidelity ...

Structural Intern

Detroit, MI ยท On-site

$22 - $24/hr

... automotive and industrial, and municipal projects, contributing to sustainable design goals ... A paid internship with real, hands-on project work, not busywork A structured program with an ...

Structural Intern

Detroit, MI ยท On-site

$22 - $24/hr

... automotive and industrial, and municipal projects, contributing to sustainable design goals ... Prior internship experience in the building design consulting industry preferred Physical ...

Design Release Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI ยท On-site

$38 - $43.50/hr

Experience Preferred5 or more years of design/development automotive engineering experience in Fuel Systems and/or UREA, will consider an internship with Fuel/Urea Systems as part of that experience ...

Design Release Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI ยท On-site

$28 - $33/hr

Experience Preferred * 5 or more years of design/development automotive engineering experience in Fuel Systems and/or UREA, will consider an internship with Fuel/Urea Systems as part of that ...

Experience Preferred * 5 or more years of design/development automotive engineering experience in Fuel Systems and/or UREA, will consider an internship with Fuel/Urea Systems as part of that ...

Design Release Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI ยท On-site

$38 - $43.50/hr

Experience Preferred * 5 or more years of design/development automotive engineering experience in Fuel Systems and/or UREA, will consider an internship with Fuel/Urea Systems as part of that ...

Design Release Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI ยท On-site

$38 - $43.50/hr

Experience Preferred * 5 or more years of design/development automotive engineering experience in Fuel Systems and/or UREA, will consider an internship with Fuel/Urea Systems as part of that ...

Design Release Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI ยท On-site

$38 - $43.50/hr

Experience Preferred * 5 or more years of design/development automotive engineering experience in Fuel Systems and/or UREA, will consider an internship with Fuel/Urea Systems as part of that ...

Showing results 21-40

Automotive Design Internship information

What is an automotive design internship?

An Automotive Design Internship is a temporary position that provides hands-on experience in vehicle design, typically within an automotive company or design studio. Interns assist in concept development, 3D modeling, sketching, and prototyping while collaborating with engineers and designers. This role helps students or recent graduates apply their skills in industrial design, CAD software, and material selection in a real-world setting. The internship offers valuable industry exposure and networking opportunities, often serving as a pathway to a full-time career in automotive design.

What types of projects or tasks does an automotive design intern typically work on during their internship?

Automotive Design Interns are often involved in creating digital models, sketching concepts, and supporting the design team with both technical and creative input. You may participate in brainstorming sessions, assist with prototyping, and collaborate with engineers and other designers to refine vehicle components or interiors. Interns regularly attend team meetings and may present their ideas or progress to supervisors. This hands-on experience helps interns understand the full product development cycle and gain exposure to industry practices and standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in an automotive design internship, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automotive Design Intern, you need a solid understanding of engineering principles, design fundamentals, and proficiency in CAD software, usually supported by coursework in mechanical or industrial design. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Alias, and experience with rapid prototyping methods are highly valuable. Strong communication, creativity, and collaborative skills help interns contribute effectively within multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial to translating innovative concepts into functional designs while meeting stringent industry standards and timelines.

Are automotive design interns in demand?

Automotive design internships are competitive but in demand as automakers seek fresh talent with skills in CAD software, 3D modeling, and knowledge of industry trends. Internships provide valuable experience and can lead to full-time roles as the automotive industry continues to innovate and expand its design teams.

How hard is it to get a job in automotive design internship?

Securing an automotive design internship can be competitive, often requiring a strong portfolio, relevant coursework, and proficiency in design tools like CAD software. Applicants typically need to demonstrate creativity, technical skills, and sometimes prior related experience or a background in automotive or industrial design.

How to find an automotive design internship?

To find an automotive design internship, search company career pages, university job boards, and internship platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed. Building a strong portfolio, gaining skills in CAD software, and networking with industry professionals can improve your chances of securing an internship in automotive design.

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Automotive Design Internship jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Automotive Design Internship job openings:

Infographic showing various Automotive Design Internship job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

UI/UX Design Intern

Ottawa Infotainment

Detroit, MI โ€ข On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

About Ottawa Infotainment

At Ottawa Infotainment, we’re building the next generation of intelligent vehicle platforms: rethinking the digital cockpit through high-performance compute, embedded software, safety-critical systems, and AI-driven experiences.

Our core platform, DragonFire OS, enables automakers to create customizable, software-defined cockpit experiences across a wide range of vehicles, from electric motorcycles to autonomous commercial fleets. From our Global HQ in Ottawa to our Detroit office inside Newlab at Michigan Central, we are engineering the future of mobility.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a UI/UX Design Intern to join our Product & UI/UX team at our Detroit office inside Newlab at Michigan Central.

This is not a traditional internship. You’ll work directly alongside experienced automotive HMI designers and engineers contributing to real production vehicle programs, concept platforms, and next-generation cockpit experiences.

You’ll help shape digital interfaces that may ultimately appear in production vehicles and major technology showcases, including CES 2027.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about mobility, interaction design, visual storytelling, and the future of software-defined vehicles.

What You’ll Work On

  • Design next-generation digital cockpit experiences for automotive platforms
  • Create high-fidelity UI concepts for instrument clusters, infotainment systems, and connected vehicle experiences
  • Build scalable design systems and component libraries in Figma
  • Develop interactive prototypes demonstrating motion, transitions, and system behavior
  • Work on experiences spanning:
    • Electric and autonomous vehicles
    • Motorcycles and powersports
    • Commercial and fleet vehicles
    • Sports cars and premium passenger vehicles
  • Collaborate closely with hardware, embedded software, and systems engineering teams
  • Create journey maps, UX flows, wireframes, and storytelling artifacts
  • Participate in design reviews, research activities, and rapid concept development
  • Help shape the future visual identity of DragonFire OS and related platforms

What We’re Looking For

  • Strong proficiency in Figma and interactive prototyping
  • Understanding of UI/UX fundamentals, information architecture, and visual design systems
  • Passion for automotive, mobility, consumer technology, or industrial design
  • Ability to think both creatively and systematically
  • Comfortable working in a fast-moving startup environment
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills

Bonus Experience

  • Android Automotive (AAOS)
  • Unity or 3D visualization tools
  • Motion graphics or animation
  • Blender, 3ds Max, or other 3D tools
  • Interest in automotive HMI or embedded interfaces
  • Experience building portfolio-quality prototype work

Why Join Oi

  • Work on real vehicle programs, not mock exercises
  • Design interfaces that could appear in production vehicles
  • Collaborate with experienced automotive UI/UX leaders
  • Join a startup moving at high speed while solving OEM-scale challenges
  • Work from Detroit’s innovation hub inside Newlab at Michigan Central
  • Help shape the future of software-defined vehicles and intelligent mobility