Type: Internship (Spring start, potential extension through 2026)
Location: Primarily on-site (Reno, NV or Westwood, CA)
- This position is a temporary engagement lasting approximately 6+ months. Candidates who are currently enrolled in college will be considered for a paid internship, while post-graduate candidates will be engaged as a 1099 contractor. This is an excellent opportunity to gain real-world experience in a fast-paced, technical environment.
Overview
NeuraSignal Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Engineering intern to support ongoing fatigue-life and reliability experiments on mechanical components used in our robotic ultrasound platforms.
This role is ideal for an undergraduate or graduate student who enjoys hands-on lab work, careful experimentation, and translating real data into improved designs and test methods.
Role Overview
You will help execute an existing fatigue-life test plan, ensure that experiments are run consistently, and contribute to the analysis and interpretation of the resulting data. Based on findings, you will assist in designing follow-on experiments and improving fixtures, procedures, and documentation.
You will work closely with senior engineers but will be expected to take ownership of assigned experiments—from setup and execution through basic analysis and reporting.
Key Responsibilities
- Execute and document existing fatigue-life and lifecycle experiments using defined protocols and procedures
- Set up test fixtures, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems under guidance from senior engineers
- Monitor running tests, perform routine checks, and log any anomalies or unexpected behavior
- Assist in organizing, cleaning, and analyzing experimental data (e.g., cycles to failure, load/deflection, temperature)
- Create clear plots, tables, and summaries for internal reports and design reviews
- Contribute to the design of updated or new experiments based on observed failure modes and test results
- Support iterative improvements to test fixtures, procedures, and documentation (e.g., work instructions, checklists, schematics)
- Follow lab safety practices and maintain strong engineering documentation standards
Minimum Requirements
- Currently enrolled in a Mechanical, Biomedical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related engineering program (BS or MS)
- Completed coursework in:
- Mechanical design and/or machine design
- Statics and basic mechanics of materials
- Introductory exposure to fatigue, lifecycle, or failure analysis concepts
- Experience with upper-division laboratory or hands-on courses (e.g., mechanical testing, instrumentation, prototyping)
- Comfortable using basic hand tools and measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, indicators)
- Ability to follow detailed procedures, take careful notes, and maintain organized experimental records
- Strong attention to detail and a methodical, safety-conscious approach to physical testing
- Good written and verbal communication skills
Nice-to-Have Skills
You don’t need all of these, but they are a plus:
- Experience with mechanical testing equipment
- Familiarity with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Onshape)
- Exposure to finite element analysis (FEA) or basic stress/fatigue analysis methods
- Experience in a machine shop or prototyping environment (e.g., 3D printing, basic machining, fixture assembly)
- Basic data analysis skills in Python, MATLAB, or similar tools (e.g., plotting, curve fitting, simple statistics)
- Previous experience writing test procedures, lab reports, or work instructions
- Interest in medical devices or other safety-critical, regulated hardware environments
What We Offer
- Hands-on experience with real fatigue and lifecycle testing in a medical technology environment
- Mentorship from experienced mechanical and systems engineers
- Opportunity to see how test results directly influence design decisions and quality processes
- Potential to extend the internship through 2026 based on performance and project needs
Pay: $35.00 - $50.00 per hour
Work Location: In person