Manufacturing Engineering Intern (Spring 2027)

Responsibilities

• Support the design and implementation of scalable manufacturing processes for new hardware and printed parts
• Assist with fixturing, test procedures, and post-processing steps to improve part flow through the factory
• Help develop documentation and process standards to support production scaling
• Build and iterate on tooling, jigs, and test setups for reliable, high-throughput production
• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in part, material, and data flow- and work with cross-functional teams to improve them
• Support early production efforts and help transition R&D into high-rate manufa
• cturing
• Contribute to CNC machining workflows, including programming, setup, and optimization of multi-axis operations for post-processing of printed parts

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing
• engineering from an ABET accredited university or college

Preferred

• Advanced degree (Master's, PhD) in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering
• Experience with CNC machining, including 3 or 5-axis programming and/or setup
• Experience with metal additive manufacturing or precision post-processing
• Exposure to fixturing, DFM, or process validation

Experience scaling early-stage R&D into production

• Familiarity with manufacturing process development in a fast-paced hardware environment
• Willing to take ownership of tasks big and small, with a hands-on, problem-solving mindset
• Demonstrated indicators of excellence and/or achieving success against adversity (i.e. top academic performance, leadership in engineering clubs, first-generation college student, or other examples of resilience and achievement)

Basic Qualifications

• Hands on manufacturing or build experience from internships or engineering clubs such as FSAE, Baja SAE, solar car, rocket club, robotics club, or similar
• Experience working with hand tools, machinery, or complex hardware assembly

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with MRP/ERP tools and lightweight production tracking systems
• Ability to translate high-level engineering goals into practical factory processes
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and iterating quickly (comfortable building the plane as we fly it)
• Strong communicator who collaborates across disciplines and proactively seeks support when needed
• Strong work ethic with a refuse-to-fail mindset

Location

We are located in Hawthorne, CA in a 35,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility featuring large open spaces for team collaboration, R&D, and production, as well as easy access to the 405, 105, and 110 freeways. Our facility is in the heart of Los Angeles' vibrant emerging tech ecosystem alongside many other high growth startups and enterprises.

What We Offer

• We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions
• We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling a world-changing technology

The compensation for this role

• Engineering Intern/Undergraduate: $30/hour
• Engineering Intern/Masters: $32.50/hour
• Engineering Intern/PhD: $35/hour
• Typical working weeks include regular opportunity for overtime

Relocation assistance provided

Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette

Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events

Freeform is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity; employment with Freeform is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.