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Design Fabrication Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Design Intern

Portland, OR · On-site

$17 - $23/hr

... fabrication. As a Design Intern, you'll work alongside our talented teams on portfolio-building projects. This position is a full-time, paid, on-site internship at the Axiom Studio. Internship ...

Design Intern

Portland, OR · On-site

$17 - $23/hr

... fabrication. As a Design Intern, you'll work alongside our talented teams on portfolio-building projects. This position is a full-time, paid, on-site internship at the Axiom Studio. Internship ...

$25/hr

DESIGN CHARRETTE The students are tasked with a week-long Design Charrette, in which they are ... fabrication labs. Students can observe different office structures and working environments from ...

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Design Fabrication Internship information

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$9

$19

$36

How much do design fabrication internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for design fabrication internship in the United States is $19.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Design Fabrication Internship?

A Design Fabrication Internship is a temporary position for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in the process of designing and creating physical products or prototypes. Interns typically work with designers, engineers, and fabricators to learn about materials, digital fabrication tools, and manufacturing techniques. The internship often involves assisting with CAD modeling, 3D printing, laser cutting, or other fabrication technologies, as well as participating in project development from concept to finished product. This experience helps interns build practical skills and develop a professional portfolio for future careers in design or engineering.

What types of projects and hands-on experience can I expect during a Design Fabrication Internship?

As a Design Fabrication Intern, you will typically work on a variety of projects that may include prototyping, model-making, and assisting with the production of custom components using tools such as 3D printers, CNC machines, and laser cutters. You’ll collaborate closely with designers, engineers, and shop staff, gaining experience in interpreting technical drawings, selecting materials, and troubleshooting fabrication challenges. This internship is highly hands-on, providing opportunities to develop both creative design and practical fabrication skills while contributing to real client projects or internal initiatives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Design Fabrication Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Fabrication Intern, you need foundational knowledge in design principles, CAD software, and hands-on fabrication techniques, often supported by progress toward a relevant degree in design, engineering, or architecture. Familiarity with tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, 3D printers, and CNC machines is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration stand out as essential soft skills. These skills and qualities are crucial for transforming creative concepts into tangible prototypes while ensuring safety, accuracy, and teamwork in fast-paced project environments.

What is the difference between Design Fabrication Internship vs Design Drafting Internship?

AspectDesign Fabrication InternshipDesign Drafting Internship
Required SkillsHands-on fabrication, prototyping, CAD modelingTechnical drawing, CAD drafting, visualization
Work EnvironmentWorkshop, studio, manufacturing settingsDesign studios, CAD labs, office environments
Industry UsageProduct design, architecture, industrial designArchitectural, engineering, product documentation

Design Fabrication Internships focus on hands-on building, prototyping, and working directly with materials, while Design Drafting Internships emphasize creating technical drawings and CAD models. Both roles require CAD skills but differ in practical application and work environment, with fabrication internships being more workshop-oriented and drafting internships more office-based.

What cities are hiring for Design Fabrication Internship jobs? Cities with the most Design Fabrication Internship job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Design Fabrication jobs? The most popular types of Design Fabrication jobs are:
What states have the most Design Fabrication Internship jobs? States with the most job openings for Design Fabrication Internship jobs include:
Design Engineer Internship - Fall 2026

Design Engineer Internship - Fall 2026

LiquidPiston, Inc.

Suffield, CT • On-site

Full-time, Internship

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Design Engineer Internship-LiquidPiston: Multiple Openings Available
Location: This role is fully onsite in Bloomfield, CT, five days per week, and the company will be relocating to Suffield, CT later in 2026. (relocation assistance not available)
Employment Type: Full-time Internship (Fall 2026)
Compensation: Paid
About LiquidPiston:
LiquidPiston is a fast-growing propulsion technology company reinventing the internal combustion engine with our patented X-Engine rotary architecture and High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC). Our engines deliver dramatically higher power density, efficiency, fuel flexibility, and compactness than traditional piston designs - making them ideal for UAVs, defense systems, hybrid-electric propulsion, portable power, and aerospace applications.
We're transitioning from pure R&D to industrialization and commercialization, creating exciting opportunities to impact real product development in a small, high-energy team.
Internship Overview:
LiquidPiston has multiple openings for Design Engineer Interns within our mechanical design and engine development teams. These roles focus on hands-on component and subsystem design for our rotary engines and related systems. You'll work closely with senior design engineers, simulation specialists, and test teams in a collaborative, prototype-heavy environment.
This is a high-ownership internship - expect to take real designs from concept through CAD modeling, analysis support, prototyping, and testing iteration. Ideal for students passionate about mechanical design, engines, and rapid prototyping who want meaningful contributions to next-generation power systems.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Support conceptual and detailed design of rotary engine components (housings, rotors, seals, bearings, combustors, cooling systems, etc.) using SolidWorks or similar CAD tools
  • Create and modify 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings following ASME standards
  • Assist in design analysis using hand calculations, basic FEA (structural/thermal), and collaboration with simulation engineers
  • Participate in rapid prototyping: prepare files for additive manufacturing (polymer/metal), CNC machining, or in-house fabrication
  • Support design reviews, tolerance stack-ups, and manufacturability assessments
  • Help iterate designs based on test results, simulation feedback, or manufacturing constraints
  • Contribute to fixture/tooling design for engine assembly or testing
  • Document designs, changes, and findings in reports, Asana tasks, or shared drives
  • Collaborate across mechanical, manufacturing, controls, and test teams
Qualifications (Required):
  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field (rising junior/senior or graduate level preferred)
  • Strong proficiency in SolidWorks (or equivalent: Fusion 360, Creo, CATIA) for solid modeling, assemblies, and drawings
  • Solid fundamentals in mechanical design, mechanics of materials, thermodynamics, and manufacturing processes
  • Hands-on mindset - comfortable with prototyping, basic machining, or 3D printing
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
  • U.S. person status (citizen or permanent resident) preferred due to defense/aerospace-related projects
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, small-team environment with quick iteration cycles
Preferred Skills & Experience:
  • Prior project experience with engines, rotaries, high-performance vehicles, Formula SAE, UAVs, or robotics
  • Exposure to GD&T, tolerance analysis, or design for manufacturing/assembly (DFM/DFA)
  • Basic FEA experience (SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, or similar)
  • Familiarity with additive manufacturing workflows or topology optimization
  • Interest in internal combustion engines, hybrid systems, or advanced propulsion
  • Previous internship or co-op in mechanical design, automotive, or aerospace

Our Culture
At LiquidPiston, we challenge convention and solve hard problems. We move fast, think boldly, and iterate quickly. Our team thrives on collaboration, creativity, and resilience. We take calculated risks and believe that every setback is a steppingstone toward breakthrough innovation.
Equal Opportunity Employer
LiquidPiston, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
All offers of employment at LiquidPiston are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check, drug screening and credit check.