Mechanical Engineering Intern

Company DescriptionBacked by leading climate and American dynamism investors, Terranova builds intelligent robotic systems to terraform the Earth itself - lifting land, restoring wetlands, and protecting critical infrastructure from floods and sea-level rise.Our mission is to preserve the built environment, create new habitats, and usher in an era of abundance. Our work supports climate resilience, disaster recovery, and defense across the United States and beyond.We’re assembling a world-class team that wants to work on something real, physical, and civilization-scale. If you want your work to reshape the world (literally), this is the place to do it.What To To ExpectAs a Mechanical Engineer Intern at Terranova, you will own the mechanical design of large-scale industrial systems while maintaining a systems-level overview across mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines. You thrive in a startup environment - owning problems end-to-end, moving fast, and building machines that survive the real world.You’ll lead projects from concept through field deployment: designing, analyzing, fabricating, and testing large-scale robotic systems that operate in the most demanding environments on Earth. Expect to be hands-on, spend long hours in the factory and in the field working alongside technicians and operators.Key ResponsibilitiesAct as an extreme owner for mechanical and electromechanical aspects of Terranova's field deployed industrial systemsPerform first-principles engineering, FEA, hand calculations to optimize designs for real-world operation environmentsPrototype builds, execute test campaigns, and push hardware to its limits to ensure field reliabilityCollaborate closely with electrical, controls, and field deployment teams to deliver integrated, battle-tested systemsDrive failure analysis, testing, and iterative improvement based on real-world dataPreferred Skills And ExperienceReal world experience in mechanical or electromechanical hardware design and analysis (plus for experience in machinery, robotics, or heavy industrial equipment )Strong CAD proficiency (OnShape, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or NX)Hands-on fabrication and prototyping skills - you enjoy working in the shop - have a history of working on hobby projectsDeep mechanical intuition and ability to design from first principlesComfortable with the pace and intensity of early-stage startup life, including long days, 6-day workweeks, and extended field hoursWorking towards a bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related fieldU.S. permanent residency requiredNice To Have SkillsExperience in high voltage AC power (480V, 120+ kW) conversion systems and lithium batteriesExperience with pumps and fluidicsExperience in electromechanical controls, hydraulics, or field-deployed systemsFamiliarity with C++, Python, or similar for controls or simulationExperience with compliance, HAZOP, or FMEA tools for machine safetyPCB and embedded systems design skills are a huge bonusCompensation And Timeline$20-28/hr + relocation + company perksSummer Internship from May-September depending on your school schedule