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Summer Mechanical Engineering Internships Jobs in Iowa

KCL Engineering

Mechanical Engineer

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

KCL Engineering Your Best Career Move Shape the Future with KCL as our next Senior Mechanical ... From holiday parties and summer boat days to impactful community projects, we make every day count.

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How much do summer mechanical engineering internships jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer mechanical engineering internships in Iowa is $20.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.92 and $22.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Summer Mechanical Engineering Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Summer Mechanical Engineering Intern, you need a solid understanding of engineering fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, and progress toward a relevant degree such as Mechanical Engineering. Familiarity with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), basic programming, and lab or prototyping tools is commonly expected. Strong communication, teamwork, and a proactive attitude help interns contribute meaningfully and learn from experienced engineers. These skills and qualities ensure interns can effectively support projects, adapt to fast-paced environments, and maximize their learning opportunity.

What types of projects do Summer Mechanical Engineering Interns typically work on, and how much responsibility can I expect to have?

As a Summer Mechanical Engineering Intern, you'll often be assigned to support ongoing engineering projects, such as assisting with product design, prototyping, testing, or process optimization. Interns are usually given meaningful tasks that contribute to team goals, like running simulations, preparing technical documentation, or participating in team meetings. While you'll work under the guidance of experienced engineers, you'll also have the chance to take initiative and solve real-world engineering challenges. The level of responsibility can vary, but most companies encourage interns to actively participate and may assign independent tasks as your skills develop throughout the internship.

What are summer mechanical engineering internships?

Summer mechanical engineering internships are temporary positions offered to students or recent graduates, typically lasting 8-12 weeks during the summer. These internships provide hands-on experience in mechanical engineering fields, such as design, manufacturing, research, or testing. Interns work under the supervision of professional engineers, gaining practical skills, exposure to industry practices, and networking opportunities. The experience can enhance a resume, help clarify career goals, and sometimes lead to full-time job offers after graduation.

What is the difference between Summer Mechanical Engineering Internships vs Summer Mechanical Design Internships?

AspectSummer Mechanical Engineering InternshipsSummer Mechanical Design Internships
FocusBroader mechanical engineering principles, systems, and applicationsSpecialized in product and component design, CAD modeling
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, research labs, engineering firmsDesign studios, CAD labs, product development teams
Required CredentialsEnrolled in mechanical engineering or related programEnrolled in mechanical engineering, design, or CAD-focused program
Industry UsageWidely used across manufacturing, aerospace, automotiveCommon in product design, industrial design, consumer goods

Summer Mechanical Engineering Internships offer a broad experience in mechanical systems, while Summer Mechanical Design Internships focus on product development and CAD design. Both roles typically require enrollment in related engineering programs and are used across similar industries, but they emphasize different skill sets and work environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Engineering Internships jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Mechanical Engineering Internships jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Summer Mechanical Engineering Internships jobs in Iowa? For Summer Mechanical Engineering Internships jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Summer Mechanical Engineering Internships jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Summer Mechanical Engineering Internships jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Summer Mechanical Engineering Internships jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Summer Mechanical Engineering Internships job openings:
Summer Mechanical Engineering Internships jobs near you
Infographic showing various Summer Mechanical Engineering Internships job openings in Iowa as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% Internship, 72% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,752 per year, or $20.6 per hour.
Senior Mechanical Engineer / Energy and Industrial.

Senior Mechanical Engineer / Energy and Industrial.

KCL Engineering

Iowa City, IA • On-site

$105K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

KCL Engineering - Your Best Career Move

Shape the Future with KCL as our next Senior Mechanical Engineer / Energy and Industrial.

At KCL Engineering, we don’t just design systems—we create an environment where our employees thrive. Flexibility, empowerment, and innovation define our workplace. Our award-winning culture fosters growth, celebrates success, and ensures work is fun. From holiday parties, summer boat days, and family outings to impactful community projects, we make every day count.

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer / Energy and Industrial, you will lead mechanical design project teams to create top quality designs for new projects including power, process, healthcare, institutional, and industrial facilities. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will lead the project team throughout the design and construction process, adapting mechanical plans according to project requirements.

Here’s what you’ll love about working at KCL:

Generous PTO and flexible schedules.

100% paid medical insurance premiums.

Premium dental, vision, and health savings account contributions.

401(k) with company contributions.

Company-paid disability and life insurance.

Parental leave and paid holiday shutdown in December.

What We Value at KCL - Do you share KCL’s values and thrive in a supportive, innovative environment?

Growth-minded Innovators who solve problems creatively, and want to grow themselves and the business.

Natural Team Players ready to collaborate and grow.

Motivated Experts dedicated to delivering exceptional outcomes for teammates and clients

Essential Duties

Oversee the mechanical design of projects from the initial concept to final design, ensuring alignment with the requirements set by project managers.

Create specifications and data sheets for mechanical equipment, including packaged equipment, Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), technical bid summaries, and purchasing recommendations.

Review vendor drawings for mechanical equipment and coordinate data exchanges with suppliers, clients, and other engineering teams, including detailers and designers.

Contribute to the development of project schedules, scopes, budgets, staffing plans, and construction strategies, while effectively managing change orders.

Utilize expert knowledge of widely used mechanical concepts, practices, codes, and procedures in the mechanical engineering field.

Apply knowledge and experience to tackle complex projects and develop innovative design solutions.

Conduct quality reviews of production drawings and project-related data as requested by project managers, ensuring corrections are made using various CAD software.

Review construction administration processes, collaborating with field personnel to address design-related installation challenges, calculations, and mechanical system testing.

Lead field inspections, installations, measurements, or calculations for both public and private clients.

Prepare and deliver technical reports for clients and industry publications.

Cultivate strong relationships with existing clients, customers, and contractors, while seeking new business opportunities and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Engage in sales and marketing initiatives and identify key opportunities for growth.

Lead the creation of cost proposals and qualification statements to meet financial performance targets.

Develop and present project budgets and cost estimates, while monitoring project performance.

Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to the mechanical engineering team, especially for less experienced engineers.

Ensure adherence to QA/QC processes.

Maintain effective communication with other engineering disciplines.

Comply with company and site safety policies.

Perform additional duties as assigned and adhere to all relevant policies and standards.

Required Knowledge/Abilities

Proficient in standard engineering design methods and practices, with a solid understanding of mechanical design standards (ASME, ANSI, API, PIP, NACE).

Familiar with software for pipe stress and fluid flow analysis.

Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.

Experienced in overseeing the mechanical design for large-scale projects and assigning tasks to team members. Capable of leading project execution and addressing challenges within a team setting.

Proven critical thinking abilities, with a methodical and analytical approach to quantitative problem-solving.

Skilled in conducting quality reviews of detailed engineering documents and specifications.

Willingness to travel as needed.

Education/Experience

Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related degree from an ABET accredited program. and 7 years mechanical engineering experience. EPC project experience preferred.

Professional Engineer (PE) License Preferred.

Special Conditions of Employment

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sitting an average of 5-6 hours per workday

Stand an average of 2-3 hours per workday

Walk an average of 1-2 hours per workday • Bend/Stoop – Rarely (1-2 times/day)

Squat – Rarely (1-2 times/day)

Reach Above Shoulder – Rarely (1-2 times/day)

Up to 50 lbs of weight carried – Rarely (0-1 times/day)

Up to 50 lbs of weight lifted – Rarely (0-1 times/day) Job requires being on construction sites.

Personal protective equipment as required will be provided (hard hats, safety glasses, steel toed boots, and hearing protection). Job also requires operating a vehicle to and from meetings and job sites (personal or rental). Valid drivers’ license is required. Exposure to job site hazards.

If you're still reading and are more excited about Energy and Industrial design work than ever, congratulations, you're already our kind of person. So what are you waiting for? Send in that application!

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