Mechanical Engineer Intern (Spring-Summer 2026)

Department: Science & Engineering

Location: San Francisco

Compensation: $20 – $55 per hour • benefits

Employment Type: FullTime

What to Expect

● This position is expected to start ASAP in March 2026 and continue through the Summer term (ending approximately August 2026) if available and there is an opportunity to do so.

● Our internship program is intended for students currently enrolled in an academic program. Internships typically require a minimum commitment of 12 weeks and are expected to be full-time and on-site during the summer. During the academic semester, part-time participation may be arranged to accommodate class schedules. Recent graduates seeking employment after graduation and not returning to school should apply for full-time positions, not internships.

● During your internship at Deft Robotics, you will be working on interesting new robotic humanoid hand/end-effector designs and new architectural concepts for Deft’s next generation wheeled humanoid robot, cooperating with and reporting directly to the CEO.

What you'll do

● Design parts and assemblies in CAD

● Apply analytical methods for the design and optimization of structures for mass, stiffness, cost, and manufacturing (hand calcs, tolerance analysis, FEA simulations, etc.)

● Fabricate prototypes and iterate rapidly from concept to volume production

● Work closely with cross-functional teams to define product requirements and develop implementations

● Integrate actuators, sensors, and electronics including wiring into a space-efficient package conducive for assembly and serviceability

● Manage suppliers to execute projects according to the design specifications and tight timelines

● Develop specifications and accelerated test plans to validate the product for its determined lifetime

● Design fixtures and equipment for testing and calibration in prototype and production environments

Required Qualifications

● Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics or equivalent degree

● Proficiency in designing parts and assemblies using 3D modeling software (Onshape preferred)

● Experience drafting engineering drawings and conducting tolerance stack-up analysis (GD&T is a bonus)

● Hands-on prototyping experience

● Experience with designing for both low volume manufacturing and high volume manufacturing

● Experience taking designs from initial concept through to mass production

● Basic understanding of electrical and thermal design fundamentals.

● Familiarity with PCBAs and electronics packaging

● Familiarity with the interdependencies between electronics, mechanics and embedded software

● Excellent communication skills and ability to work in unstructured and high-pressure environments

● Understanding of how to balance development speed versus product quality

● Problem solving with first principles thinking

● Curious and hungry to learn and grow

Preferred Qualifications

● Experience with DFMEA

● Python/Matlab knowledge, both in data structure management, UI development, symbolic equations, and iterative solvers

● Familiarity with design for injection molding, overmolding, and polymers

Benefits

Medical, dental & vision plans ($0 payroll deduction)

Daily meals stipend

Expected Compensation

● $20-$55/hr + benefits