Structures / Mechanical Test Co-op - January 2027 Co-op

This co-op suits students with a solid mechanical engineering foundation who are interested in structural testing, instrumentation, hydraulic systems, CAD, and automation. You'll get real experience designing test equipment, running mechanical tests, and contributing to hardware development in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

What you'll do

• Help design, assemble, and operate mechanical test fixtures and systems that use hydraulic actuation, mechanical linkages, and sensor instrumentation.

• Support hydraulic system integration, setup, and troubleshooting with guidance from senior engineers.

• Help carry out mechanical, structural, and environmental test plans, making sure data collection is accurate and repeatable.

• Install, wire, and calibrate sensors such as load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, accelerometers, and displacement sensors.

• Write and maintain Python scripts for test automation, data processing, and visualization.

• Analyze test results, look into unexpected behavior, and write up findings in clear technical reports.

• Work with mechanical, systems, electrical, and manufacturing engineers on product development and validation.

• Design simple test fixtures, adapters, and components in CAD while learning best practices for manufacturability and safety.

• Support Finite Element Analysis (FEA) work that compares analytical predictions with physical test results.

• Help fabricate, assemble, and test metallic and composite components.

• Help maintain lab equipment, improve test processes, and keep the lab a safe place to work.