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Electrical Design Intern Jobs in Waterloo, ON (NOW HIRING)

Electrical Design Intern information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an electrical design intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Electrical Design Intern, you generally need a background in electrical engineering or a related field, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Familiarity with CAD software (such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks), circuit simulation tools, and basic programming languages is often expected. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills that help interns collaborate and learn efficiently. These abilities ensure accurate designs, smooth project execution, and valuable contributions to engineering teams.

Do electrical design interns get paid?

Electrical design interns are often paid positions, with compensation varying by company, location, and internship duration. Many internships offer hourly wages or stipends, and some may be unpaid depending on the program and industry standards. Interns typically gain experience with design software and electrical systems during their paid internship period.

What does an electrical design intern do?

An Electrical Design Intern assists engineers in designing, developing, and testing electrical systems and components for various projects. Typical responsibilities include creating and updating schematics, drafting layouts using CAD software, performing calculations, and supporting prototype development. Interns also help with documentation, conduct research, and collaborate with other engineering teams. The internship provides hands-on experience and helps students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world engineering problems.

What is the difference between Electrical Design Intern vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectElectrical Design InternElectrical Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recently completed a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related fieldBachelor's degree in electrical engineering; often requires licensure or professional certification for advanced roles
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in engineering firms, construction sites, or manufacturing plantsFull-time professional roles in design, development, testing, or project management
Employer & Industry UsageInternship programs in engineering firms, construction companies, or manufacturing industriesEstablished companies, consulting firms, or government agencies in electrical engineering sectors

The main difference between an Electrical Design Intern and an Electrical Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and career stage. Interns are typically students gaining practical experience, while Electrical Engineers are full-time professionals responsible for designing, analyzing, and managing electrical systems.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an electrical design intern typically expect during their internship?

As an Electrical Design Intern, you can expect to be involved in a variety of tasks such as creating and updating electrical schematics, supporting senior engineers in the design and testing of electrical systems, and assisting with documentation and BOM (Bill of Materials) preparation. Interns often participate in team meetings, collaborate with other engineering disciplines, and may even get hands-on experience with prototyping or troubleshooting. This role provides valuable exposure to industry-standard design tools and real-world project workflows, making it a great stepping stone for a future career in electrical engineering.
Infographic showing various Electrical Design Intern job openings in Waterloo, ON as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Hybrid job distribution.

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

The Canadian Strategic Missions Corporationis a space and defence company focused on developing dual-use solutions for delivering unmatched capabilities on this planet and others. CSMC is developing a micro nuclear reactor for remote applications like the Arctic, defence, and space exploration. Led by a team with a mix of entrepreneurial and institutional experience at the highest level, we are a bleeding-edge company, working at the intersection of energy, geology/geophysics, health technologies, space systems, quantum technologies, and imagineering.


We'renotgonnado it alone though, andwe'rehiringanEngineering Intern. Our team is developing next-generation quantum technologies and taking them off the optical bench and into the real world-ultimately onto high-altitude flight platforms. Working directly with engineering leads and cross-functional project teams, the successful candidate will help transform laboratory prototypes into ruggedized field-ready systems capable of operating in harsh environments. The position will support activities including hardware integration, mechanical and electrical design, environmental testing, software development, field deployment, and continuous improvement of advanced quantum sensing platforms.


Main Responsibilities

  • Assistin the design, assembly, and ruggedization of optical, mechanical, and electrical hardware for field and flight applications.
  • Support the development of flight-ready hardware, including bonded and low-CTE optical mounts, fiber coupling, staking, potting, and vibration damping solutions.
  • Design ruggedized enclosures, fixtures, and transport cases using CAD software, and fabricate components using 3D printing and machining techniques.
  • Build, integrate, and troubleshoot electronic systems, including signal conditioning, microcontroller interfacing,connectorization, and wiring.
  • Develop Python scripts for hardware control, telemetry, automation, and data logging.
  • Support vibration, shock, thermal, and environmental testing, documenting results and implementing design improvements.
  • Assistin preparing, transporting, setting up, and debugging hardware during field testing and demonstration activities.
  • Maintainaccuratetechnical documentation, test procedures, assembly records, and engineering reports.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to solve complex mechanical, electrical, and integration challenges.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of hardware designs, manufacturing processes, and testing methodologies.


Qualifications, Experience,Knowledgeand Skills Essential

  • Currently pursuing a fourth-year bachelor's degree or a graduate degree (Master's or PhD) in Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Robotics, or a related technical discipline.
  • Hands-on experience building physical systems through academic projects, student design teams, research, or personal projects (e.g., rocketry, UAVs, Formula SAE, high-altitude balloons, robotics, or similar).
  • Experience working with microcontrollers, embedded systems, and basic electronic circuits.
  • Proficiencyin Python for hardware control, automation, or data acquisition.
  • Experience with CAD software and additive manufacturing (3D printing), with strong mechanical design intuition.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot integrated hardware systems.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Highly detail-oriented, with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple technical tasks simultaneously.


Assets

  • Experience with optomechanical systems or precision instrumentation.
  • Familiarity with environmental qualification testing, including vibration, shock, thermal, or vacuum testing.
  • Experience with RF systems, sensors, or instrumentation.
  • Previousexperience supporting flight hardware, payloads, aerospace systems, or other ruggedized hardware development.


*Ability and willingness to travel between Waterloo and Toronto as required.


Employment Eligibility

CSMC works withhighly sensitivenuclear,defence, and aerospace technologies, and all roles require eligibility for federal security screening and compliance with controlled goods and export regulations. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada, able to obtain andmaintainGovernment of Canada security clearance, and eligible to meet foreign affiliation and export control requirements. These conditions aremandatoryBona Fide Occupational Requirements and reflect the need to securely develop and protect nationally significant capabilities.


CSMC is an equal opportunity employer supporting diversity and inclusion. We want to hear from unique candidates.


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