Rotational Development Program
Three rotations. Eighteen months. One of them is abroad.
Most engineers spend their first few years learning one plant, one product line, one way of doing things. You'll spend yours learning three.
The PennEngineering Rotational Development Program (PRDP) is an 18-month, three-assignment program built for new graduates who want their careers to start in motion. Two of your rotations are at PennEngineering sites in the United States — different locations, different teams, different problems. One takes you overseas, to our operations in Ireland, Germany, or Asia.
Why this program is different
You'll live it, not visit it. The international rotation isn't a site tour or a two-week trip. You'll be embedded with a team long enough to own work there, not just observe it — and to see how a different site approaches the same engineering challenges.
You'll build a global network before your third year. Rotations put you in front of teams and leaders across our sites. Engineers who finish the Rotational Program don't have contacts — they have colleagues on more than one continent.
You'll find your fit by trying things. Mechanical engineers typically rotate through assignments such as plant operations, manufacturing engineering, project engineering, applications engineering and new product development. By the end, you'll know where your strengths are — because you'll have tested them in three different environments.
What the program includes
Intensive on-the-job training in every rotation
Two domestic rotations and one international assignment in Ireland, Germany, or Asia
Multiple in-person immersions focused on development, networking, and time with senior business leaders
One-on-one career and leadership coaching
A dedicated mentor
What you'll do
Responsibilities vary by rotation, but in every assignment, you should expect to:
Get up to speed quickly on a new business or product line
Own projects that matter to the site you're assigned to
Work closely with managers and mentors to sharpen your technical and professional skills
Participate in ongoing development, including webinars and in-person immersions
Learn about a new location and culture
Requirements:
The essentials
Currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or Materials Engineering at an ABET-accredited university, graduating by May 2027
0 GPA preferred
Conversational or fluent Mandarin is a plus, but not required
Willingness and ability to relocate for each rotation, including an international assignment in Ireland, Germany, or Asia — this is central to the role, not an optional element
At the time of accepting a verbal offer, you must already hold work authorization allowing you to begin full-time work for PennEngineering in the United States on the agreed start date
The qualities that make someone thrive here
Adaptability — you settle into new places, teams, and expectations quickly
Strong engineering instincts and real enthusiasm for technology
Demonstrated technical and analytical ability, with attention to detail
Creative problem-solving and the drive to start doing engineering, not just studying it
Clear written and verbal communication
A self-starter's attitude: professional, positive, and genuinely collaborative
Perks and benefits
Medical, plus employer-paid dental and vision
401(k) with employer match
Paid time off and holidays
Parental leave
Tuition reimbursement
Performance incentive bonuses
Talent referral bonus program
Company-provided technology — laptop, phone, and monitors for both office and home
Community volunteering opportunities
An employee-centric culture