Design Engineer Internship at LiquidPiston in Suffield, CT

Summary: LiquidPiston is a fast-growing propulsion technology company reinventing the internal combustion engine with their patented X-Engine rotary architecture. They are seeking Design Engineer Interns to support hands-on component and subsystem design for rotary engines, working closely with senior design engineers and test teams in a collaborative environment. Responsibilities: - Support conceptual and detailed design of rotary engine components (housings, rotors, seals, bearings, combustors, cooling systems, etc.) using SolidWorks or similar CAD tools - Create and modify 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings following ASME standards - Assist in design analysis using hand calculations, basic FEA (structural/thermal), and collaboration with simulation engineers - Participate in rapid prototyping: prepare files for additive manufacturing (polymer/metal), CNC machining, or in-house fabrication - Support design reviews, tolerance stack-ups, and manufacturability assessments - Help iterate designs based on test results, simulation feedback, or manufacturing constraints - Contribute to fixture/tooling design for engine assembly or testing - Document designs, changes, and findings in reports, Asana tasks, or shared drives - Collaborate across mechanical, manufacturing, controls, and test teams Required Qualifications: - Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field (rising junior/senior or graduate level preferred) - Strong proficiency in SolidWorks (or equivalent: Fusion 360, Creo, CATIA) for solid modeling, assemblies, and drawings - Solid fundamentals in mechanical design, mechanics of materials, thermodynamics, and manufacturing processes - Hands-on mindset — comfortable with prototyping, basic machining, or 3D printing - Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail - U.S. person status (citizen or permanent resident) preferred due to defense/aerospace-related projects - Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, small-team environment with quick iteration cycles Preferred Qualifications: - Prior project experience with engines, rotaries, high-performance vehicles, Formula SAE, UAVs, or robotics - Exposure to GD&T, tolerance analysis, or design for manufacturing/assembly (DFM/DFA) - Basic FEA experience (SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, or similar) - Familiarity with additive manufacturing workflows or topology optimization - Interest in internal combustion engines, hybrid systems, or advanced propulsion - Previous internship or co-op in mechanical design, automotive, or aerospace Required Skills: SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Creo, CATIA, Mechanical design, Mechanics of materials, Thermodynamics, Manufacturing processes, Prototyping, Basic machining, 3D printing, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), Tolerance analysis, Design for manufacturing and assembly (DFM/DFA), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), ANSYS, Additive manufacturing, Topology optimization, Internal combustion engines, Hybrid propulsion systems