Mechanical Engineering Intern/Co-op

Apply now »

Date: Sep 17, 2026

Location: Knoxville, TN, Tennessee, United States

Company: HII's Mission Technologies division

Requisition Number: 30287 

Required Travel: 0 - 10%

Employment Type: Part Time/Hourly/Non-Exempt

Anticipated Salary Range: $36,920.00 - $62,400.00 

Security Clearance: Ability to Obtain  

Level of Experience: Intern 

 

This opportunity resides with Warfare Systems (WS), a business group within HII’s Mission Technologies division. Warfare Systems comprises cyber and mission IT; electronic warfare; and C5ISR systems.

HII works within our nation’s intelligence and cyber operations communities to defend our interests in cyberspace and anticipate emerging threats. Our capabilities in cybersecurity, network architecture, reverse engineering, software and hardware development uniquely enable us to support sensitive missions for the U.S. military and federal agency partners.

 

Leadership Mindset at HII – Mission Technologies

Leadership at HII is a mindset, not a title. Through our Leadership Capability Framework, we define how every employee grows, leads, and contributes—regardless of role. It sets the standard for how you can develop yourself and what you can expect from leaders across our organization. We look for candidates who want to grow in alignment with these capabilities:

  • Know & Grow Your People – Commit to learning and supporting team success.
  • Build Relationships – Communicate openly, collaborate well, and build trust.
  • Take Ownership – Deliver on commitments and take pride in your work.
  • Customer First – Focus on the mission and those we serve.
  • Shape the Future – Bring ideas, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
  • Act with Urgency – Take initiative and follow through with purpose.

These capabilities guide how all employees contribute to our shared success across Mission Technologies.

Job Description

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Mechanical Engineering Intern or Co-op to join our team. In this role, you will support engineers on real-world projects involving design, analysis, testing, and manufacturing support. This position is ideal for students who are eager to apply classroom knowledge in a practical environment, gain hands-on experience, and develop professional engineering skills. 

Essential Job Responsibilities

  • Assist with mechanical design tasks including CAD modeling, drafting, and design reviews. 
  • Support engineering analyses such as stress analysis, tolerance stack-ups, thermal evaluations, or fluid mechanics applications. 
  • Participate in prototype fabrication, assembly, and testing activities. 
  • Collect, organize, and interpret test data, preparing clear documentation and reports. 
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, and project engineering. 
  • Help maintain engineering documentation such as BOMs, drawings, and specifications. 
  • Perform research, benchmarking, and engineering calculations as needed. 

Minimum Qualifications

  • Currently enrolled in an accredited university pursuing a degree in Engineering or related field. 
  • Completion of foundational engineering coursework (e.g., statics, dynamics, materials, thermodynamics). 
  • Familiarity with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, or AutoCAD. 
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 
  • Excellent communication and teamwork abilities. 
  • Willingness to learn, ask questions, and participate actively in engineering discussions. 

Preferred Requirements

  • Experience with lab work, hands-on projects, or student engineering organizations (e.g., ASME, SAE, robotics teams). 

  • Exposure to engineering software such as MATLAB, Python, FEA tools, or simulation environments. 

  • Prior internship or co-op experience (not required). 

What You'll Gain

  • Practical engineering experience on active projects. 

  • Mentorship from experienced engineers. 

  • Exposure to engineering tools, processes, and real-world design challenges. 

  • Opportunities to contribute meaningful work that impacts ongoing programs. 


The listed salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's Mission Technologies division takes a variety of factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the role's function and a candidate's education or training, work experience, and key skills.

Meet HII’s Mission Technologies Division
Our team of more than 7,000 professionals worldwide delivers all-domain expertise and advanced technologies in service of mission partners across the globe. Mission Technologies is leading the next evolution of national defense – the data evolution - by accelerating a breadth of national security solutions for government and commercial customers. Our capabilities range from C5ISR, AI and Big Data, cyber operations and synthetic training environments to fleet sustainment, environmental remediation and the largest family of unmanned underwater vehicles in every class. Find the role that’s right for you. Apply today. We look forward to meeting you.

To learn more about Mission Technologies, click here for a short video: https://vimeo.com/732533072

HII is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to build a new future. We offer competitive benefits such as best-in-class medical, dental and vision plan choices; wellness resources; employee assistance programs; Savings Plan Options (401(k)); financial planning tools, life insurance; employee discounts; paid holidays and paid time off; tuition reimbursement; as well as early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships. Bonus/other non-recurrent compensation is occasionally offered for qualified positions, and if applicable to this role will be addressed by the recruiter at the screening phase of application.

Why HII
We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. Our workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.

Recognized as one of America’s top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people’s safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.

Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

Do You Need Assistance? 
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #3 for HII Mission Technologies.