Mechanical Engineering Intern (Fall 2025)

El Segundo, California

Company Overview:
Second Order Effects (SOE) is an engineering consulting firm that transforms uncertainty into fully functional hardware and software. We work on projects at all stages of development; we perform analysis, build prototypes, and take products to market. Our team solves high-impact problems across numerous industries, including automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, industrial automation, biomedical, and green energy. Our designs control rocket engines, manage satellite communications, instrument fusion reactors, and are enjoyed by consumers around the world. The only thing we won’t build is weapons.

Founded in 2016, Second Order Effects has 50+ employees (and counting!) in offices in El Segundo, California and Redmond, Washington. We've worked with >130 clients on > 300 projects as a partner, on retainer, or on demand.

How do we do this? We empower others, build the right thing, lead with curiosity, and own the outcome. Learn more at soeffects.com!

Job Overview:
As a Mechanical Engineering Intern, you will play a hands-on role in designing, developing, and testing complex mechanical systems for customer-facing projects. In this role, you will contribute to the full development lifecycle- from initial concept and simulation through prototyping, validation, and integration. Whether it’s designing mechanisms and enclosures, performing structural analysis, or designing precision assemblies for manufacturability, you'll be making real contributions to complex systems. This internship is designed to accelerate your technical growth, giving you the chance to build a strong foundation in mechanical engineering while making an immediate impact.

What You Will Do: 

  • Ownership: Contribute to the design of mechanical systems for customers across various industries 
  • Technical Mentorship: Partner closely with a mentor who will provide technical guidance, feedback, and support throughout the entire internship 
  • Design & Analysis: Utilize CAD and simulation tools to develop structural, thermal, and tolerance analyses for electromechanical assemblies, using both hand calculations and FEA
  • Thermal Management: Design and analyze active and passive thermal management systems for custom electronic systems and packaging solutions
  • Prototyping & Testing: Participate in test campaigns to validate hardware performance under shock, vibration, thermal, and other environmental stresses

What You Will Need: 

  • Current enrollment in college (Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Robotics, or related field)
  • Experience in designing, modeling, simulation, and testing of electromechanical components or assemblies
  • Experience with hand calculations, finite element analysis (FEA), and computer-aided design (CAD)
  • Demonstrated passion and curiosity for mechanical engineering 
  • Strong problem-solving skills and initiative to overcome technical challenges 
  • Strong written and verbal technical communication skills; ability to explain design decisions and component selections

What Would Be Useful:

  • Experience in team-based design and build projects (e.g., Formula SAE, Solar Car, CubeSat, Rover Challenge, etc.)
  • Familiarity with circuits and electrical engineering fundamentals
  • Familiarity with manufacturing processes, such as machining, injection molding, water jetting, electro-discharge machining, and 3D printing
  • Familiarity with generating thermal models for electronic assemblies; experience with thermal analysis of electronic devices with FEA and CFD modeling 
  • Experience with high-precision 3D printing processes and design for complex systems
  • Ability to analyze and estimate structural loading from environmental sources
  • Experience with fatigue and thermal testing of electromechanical assemblies
  • Understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)

Benefits:

  • Compensation range of $69,350-$69,850 
  • Flexible work hours and work from home policy 
  • 100% employer-paid health insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) for employees + 50% dependent coverage
  • Accrued paid time off policy, accrued sick days policy, and paid company holidays
  • 401(k) retirement account and employer matching (Safe Harbor 4%)
  • Housing stipend bonus 
  • Electric Vehicle (EV) charging ports
  • Daily catered lunches, snacks, and accessible kitchen

Additional Requirements: 

  • Applicants must be able to commit to an internship from Tuesday, September 2, 2025 to Friday, December 19, 2025
  • Applicant must be willing to work 40 hours a week on-site in El Segundo, California, USA
  • Applicant must be eligible to work on export controlled projects
  • Job Type: Full-time (Salary)

Export Control Requirements:

  • To conform with U.S. Government export control regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship at this time.

If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply!
Second Order Effects is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SOE is governed on the basis of excellence 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.

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