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Prototype Engineer Intern Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

... intern/coop for a career as a Packaging Engineer after graduation. Examples of Projects: * New product development; concept/prototype work. * Cost savings initiatives; Optimization, quality ...

Use of new technologies to build lightweight 3D assets or models for demos, prototypes, or avatar environments. * Collaborate with crossfunctional teams (Data Science, Engineering, Product, CSO, an ...

Posted today

Join OceanComm's engineering team and help build undersea drones, intelligent sensors, and other ... Access to advanced prototyping and manufacturing equipment, including a CNC mill, cobot, and a ...

Join OceanComm's engineering team and help build undersea drones, intelligent sensors, and other ... Access to advanced prototyping and manufacturing equipment, including a CNC mill, cobot, and a ...

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Prototype Engineer Intern information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$9

$17

$25

How much do prototype engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype engineer intern in Chicago, IL is $17.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.86 and $19.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Prototype Engineer Intern vs Mechanical Engineering Intern?

AspectPrototype Engineer InternMechanical Engineering Intern
Required CredentialsEnrolled in Mechanical, Electrical, or related engineering programsEnrolled in Mechanical Engineering or related programs
Work EnvironmentHands-on prototyping, product development labs, manufacturing settingsDesign, analysis, testing in labs or office settings
Industry UsageProduct design, hardware development, R&D teamsDesign, analysis, manufacturing, and testing teams

Prototype Engineer Interns focus on creating and testing physical prototypes, often working closely with hardware and manufacturing teams. Mechanical Engineering Interns typically engage in design, analysis, and testing of mechanical systems. While both roles require engineering knowledge and may overlap in industry settings, Prototype Engineer Interns are more hands-on with prototyping processes, whereas Mechanical Engineering Interns may have broader design responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a prototype engineer intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prototype Engineer Intern, you need a solid background in engineering fundamentals, hands-on fabrication skills, and experience with prototyping processes, typically supported by coursework in mechanical or electrical engineering. Familiarity with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), 3D printing technology, and basic laboratory or workshop tools is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication help interns excel in collaborative and fast-paced development environments. These skills are crucial for efficiently transforming design concepts into functional prototypes that support innovation and product development.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a prototype engineer intern expect during their internship?

As a Prototype Engineer Intern, you can expect to work on hands-on projects that may include designing, building, and testing prototypes for new products or features. You'll likely collaborate closely with engineers, designers, and sometimes manufacturing teams to bring concepts to life quickly. Typical responsibilities include CAD modeling, assembling physical prototypes, running experiments, and documenting results. This role often requires adaptability and problem-solving, as you'll need to iterate designs based on feedback and test outcomes. It's a great opportunity to gain experience with rapid prototyping tools and processes while working in a collaborative, innovative environment.

What does a prototype engineer intern do?

A Prototype Engineer Intern assists in designing, building, and testing early versions of products or components. They work closely with engineering teams to turn concepts into physical models, often using tools like 3D printers, CNC machines, and hand tools. Their role may involve troubleshooting, documenting results, and suggesting improvements based on testing. This internship provides hands-on experience in the product development process and helps interns develop practical engineering skills.
What are popular job titles related to Prototype Engineer Intern jobs in Chicago, IL? For Prototype Engineer Intern jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prototype Engineer Intern jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Prototype Engineer Intern jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Prototype Engineer Intern jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Prototype Engineer Intern job openings:
Infographic showing various Prototype Engineer Intern job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Internship. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,504 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

AI Agent Builder Intern

Transformco

Hoffman Estates, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Transformco rating

5.0

Company rating: 5.0 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description


JOB SCOPE:
The AI Agent Builder Intern takes workflow specifications and turns them into something executable. This role is the person who converts a workflow spec into a working agent building within the Paperclip framework, not experimenting loosely with AI tools. This role supports the company s transition to an AI-agentic operating model, where operational workflows are decomposed, documented, tested, and progressively automated through AI agents, with humans focused on oversight, escalation, and business judgment.
JOB SUMMARY:
This role focuses on turning process knowledge into executable agents taking the structured documentation and specifications produced by process mapping work and converting them into working AI-driven solutions. The intern will work closely with transformation and technical teams to build, evaluate, and test AI agents that automate real-world operational workflows, including scheduling, customer support, inventory management, and workflow optimization.
REPORTS TO:
Chief Of Staff To The Chairman
Responsibilities/Skills/Experience Requirements
JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Designs and prototypes AI agents for operational workflows and business processes
  • Develops prompt structures, workflows, and tool integrations for AI-enabled solutions
  • Builds and executes testing frameworks to evaluate AI agent performance and accuracy
  • Assists with deployment and sandbox testing of AI workflow solutions
  • Monitors and documents agent performance, latency, and operational effectiveness
  • Collaborates with business stakeholders to understand workflow requirements
  • Supports troubleshooting, debugging, and optimization of AI solutions
  • Participates in solution design discussions and technical planning sessions
  • Maintains documentation for AI workflows, testing procedures, and configurations
  • Researches emerging AI tools and technologies relevant to operational transformation initiatives
  • Converts process maps into agent workflow designs, including tools, memory, guardrails, and human-in-the-loop checkpoints
  • Builds evaluation datasets from real operational scenarios and edge cases
  • Documents agent failure modes, confidence thresholds, and escalation criteria
  • Builds AI agents against future-state workflow designs, not merely current-state process maps, ensuring that agents reinforce simplified, improved, and scalable operating patterns
  • Flags when a workflow is not ready for automation identifying when a workflow is too ambiguous, too exception-heavy, too dependent on missing data, or too poorly controlled to automate yet, feeding that feedback into the redesign loop
  • Performs other duties as assigned

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
  • Some undergraduate education
  • Less than one year of related experience
  • 18 years of age or older

REQUIRED SKILLS:
  • Currently pursuing a degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Analytics, Data Science, or a related field
  • Experience with AI tools, automation technologies, or software development projects preferred
  • Academic or project experience involving AI, machine learning, or workflow automation is a plus
  • Familiarity with modern AI tools and technologies
  • Basic understanding of prompt engineering and AI workflow concepts
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to learn new technologies quickly
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills
  • Ability to work independently within a fast-paced project environment

PREFERRED SKILLS:
  • Experience with Python, JavaScript, or related programming languages
  • Familiarity with APIs, automation tools, or AI agent frameworks
  • Exposure to LLM platforms such as OpenAI or Anthropic
  • Understanding of data handling and workflow automation concepts
  • Interest in operational transformation and applied AI solutions

What Transformco employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About Transformco

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Transformco is a paramount player in the retail industry within the US, with their Strategic business operations headquartered in Hoffman Estates, IL. The company was established with the purpose to enhance retail by embracing transformation and leveraging people, technology, and insights to give customers delightful shopping experiences. The vast array of products and services offered by Transformco includes appliances, tools, lawn and garden equipment, and automotive repair and maintenance goods.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Hoffman Estates, IL, US

Year founded

2019

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