VT MADE Internship - Summer 2026 at Woodward in Rockford, IL

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. 

Woodward offers a Total Reward package for this Internship position, including:

• Estimated pay - Sophomore: $23.00, Junior: $25.00, Senior: $28.00

• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance (20+ hours per week)

• Sick Time

Are you ready to make your mark?  If you’re a Mechanical, Operations, Manufacturing, Industrial, Software, or Computer Science major, we have an exciting internship opportunity for you. 

The purpose of an internship at Woodward is to provide students with the opportunity to gain exposure and “real life” business acumen within the Aerospace and Energy Industry. Our internships also provide students with the opportunity to learn and gain practical experience and to work in areas related to their academic and/or career interests. Gain hands-on experience while working on challenging projects, network with professionals and learn from some of the brightest minds in business.

The experience also gives the intern opportunity for potential full-time employment with the company. 

What you will be doing

• Support Aerospace Actuation Systems - Hydraulics Engineering team to evaluate new product introduction and sustaining products, processes, analysis, and designs.

• Assist with data analysis, report writing, and supporting engineering with any investigation findings.

• Engineering project support, including sponsoring engineering changes, data analysis, and root cause and corrective action.

• Assembly and test production support, including control and test stand data collection and troubleshooting, disposition and root cause / corrective action for nonconformances, immediate production response support (Andon/IST).

• Student will assist project engineer(s) in the research, development, design, fabrication, and test of electromechanical products for the industrial industry.

What We Are Looking For

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Competent skills in problem solving and trouble-shooting.

• Competent in the use of PCs, MS Office Programs and other associated software.

• Ability to effectively operate in a team environment.

• Effective time management skills.

• Solid knowledge of the English language with the ability to speak, read and write along with good listening skills.

• Ability to use mechanical CAD tools is a plus – PTC Creo is preferred.

• Experience with Lab View programming is a plus.

Education or Formal Training

Must be at least a sophomore in an accredited College or University program and have an acceptable grade point average of 3.0 or above. 

Experience Required

No experience required. Previous internship or other working experience, a plus.

 This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).   All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR and EAR, or possess all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State Department and the U.S. Department of Commerce.   ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.

 Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.