About this role
Position Summary
Advanced Microwave Imaging (AMWI) is seeking a motivated university-level Junior Engineering student to provide part-time engineering support in the design, fabrication, assembly, and testing of specialized Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) equipment.
This is a hands-on engineering position working directly with AMWI engineers in the development of advanced inspection systems used for composite materials, plastics, and other difficult-to-inspect structures.
AMWI develops innovative microwave-based NDT technologies and automated scanning systems for applications including wind turbine blades, fiberglass tanks and piping, HDPE piping systems, aerospace and industrial composites, and other specialized inspection applications.
The successful candidate will participate in taking engineering concepts from sketch and CAD model through fabrication, assembly, testing, and field-ready equipment.
Key Responsibilities
Assist with mechanical design of NDT scanners, sensor fixtures, positioning systems, enclosures, and laboratory test equipment.
Develop and modify mechanical components using CAD software.
Prepare drawings and models suitable for machining, 3D printing, and fabrication.
Assemble prototype and production NDT equipment.
Assist with integration of motors, linear stages, encoders, sensors, antennas, cables, and related components.
Perform basic machining, drilling, cutting, fitting, and mechanical fabrication.
Operate or assist with 3D printing and rapid prototyping.
Troubleshoot mechanical problems and recommend design improvements.
Assist with development of automated X-Y, circumferential, and other scanning systems.
Support laboratory testing of microwave and other NDT equipment.
Help develop fixtures and test setups for inspection of composite and polymer components.
Document designs, modifications, test configurations, and equipment builds.
Maintain organized engineering drawings, parts lists, and prototype documentation.
Assist with equipment preparation and configuration for demonstrations and field testing.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and have completed enough coursework to be comfortable working with basic mechanical design concepts.
Experience or interest in the following is particularly desirable:
SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Inventor, or similar CAD software
3D printing and additive manufacturing
Basic machining and mechanical fabrication
Motors, bearings, gears, belts, linear motion systems, and mechanical assemblies
Robotics or mechatronics
Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar systems
Basic electronics and instrumentation
Engineering drawings and tolerancing
Prototype development and testing
Previous NDT or microwave experience is not required. Training will be provided.
What the Student Will Gain
Unlike a traditional internship focused primarily on analysis or documentation, this position provides substantial hands-on engineering experience.
The student will have the opportunity to work on equipment that progresses from an initial idea to a functioning inspection system, including:
Concept → CAD Design → Fabrication → Assembly → Instrumentation → Testing → Field Application
Projects may include robotic and automated scanners, microwave sensor arrays, portable inspection equipment, composite inspection systems, and custom equipment developed to solve unusual industrial inspection problems.
The position provides exposure to mechanical engineering, robotics, instrumentation, advanced NDT, microwave inspection, composites, and real-world engineering product development.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for someone who enjoys building things.
The strongest candidate will be curious, mechanically inclined, comfortable working with tools, and interested in solving engineering problems where the solution may not already exist.
Because much of AMWI's work involves developing new inspection technology, the ability to design, build, test, learn, modify, and try again is more important than already knowing every technical discipline involved.
This position is particularly well suited for a Mechanical Engineering student interested in product development, robotics, mechatronics, advanced manufacturing, NDT, or R&D engineering.
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