Computer Engineering Internship Jobs in Hickory, NC

Corning is seeking a Mechatronics Engineer to join our early-stage development team and help invent the next generation of automated manufacturing processes. In this hands-on contributor role, you'll spend most of your time in the lab - building experimental setups, running experiments, and iterating on prototype hardware to prove out new process concepts in areas such as laser processing, adhesive bonding, precision dispensing, and optical alignment. If you love building things, are curious about the physics of material transformation, and want to grow deep technical expertise in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment, this role is built for you.

Primary Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Design, assemble, and test benchtop and lab-scale experimental setups integrating mechanical, electrical, motion, vision, sensing, and software elements to enable process characterization and concept validation.
• Plan and execute experiments to characterize process windows, identify critical variables, and establish proof of concept for new manufacturing technologies; iterate quickly between build, test, and analysis.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data using structured methods - including design of experiments (DOE), hypothesis-driven testing, and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) - to guide design decisions and process refinement.
• Document experimental methods, results, and conclusions to support technical reviews and downstream system specification; identify intellectual property opportunities in partnership with senior engineers.
• Collaborate with scientists, process engineers, and business stakeholders to translate early-stage concepts into scalable process knowledge ready for manufacturing transfer.
• Model safe work practices and contribute to a culture of safety in the lab environment.

Required Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, or related field with 2-4 years of relevant experience; OR MS in a related discipline with 0-2 years of experience plus relevant internship or research experience.
• Strong fundamentals in engineering mechanics and electrical circuits, applied through coursework, internships, or early-career work.
• Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, C++, C#, or similar languages, with the ability to learn new tools quickly.
• Demonstrated hands-on lab experience with hand tools, alignment fixtures, basic electronics, and prototype hardware.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to produce clear technical documentation and diagrams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for analysis, documentation, and technical reviews.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS) in a relevant technical discipline.
• Mechanical design experience in SolidWorks or equivalent computer-aided design (CAD) software.
• Experience with machine vision, motion control, or vision-guided motion systems.
• Electrical or electronics design experience (schematic capture, basic printed circuit board (PCB) layout, instrumentation wiring).
• Basic optics knowledge (e.g., photography, microscopy, or laser systems).
• Training in object-oriented programming, particularly C++, C#, Java, or Rust.
• Experience with MATLAB and Python for data analysis and lab-grade scripting.
• Familiarity with structured experimentation methods such as DOE, Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC), or FMEA through coursework, internships, or research.
• Internship, co-op, or research experience in laser processing, adhesive bonding, precision dispensing, optical alignment, automation, or advanced manufacturing.