Mechanical Engineering Summer 2026 Internship (Michigan City, IN)

Are You the Missing Linc?

Vanair, a Lincoln Electric Company in Michigan City, IN is looking for bright, driven engineering individuals to join our Engineering Summer Internship—designed to connect your academic foundation with real-world, hands-on experience. As a participant, you’ll Be the Linc between your education and a future in advanced manufacturing, innovation, and engineering leadership.

What Sets Us Apart

• LincPal Program: Get paired with a Lincoln Electric employee to guide your experience. 
• Professional Development: Frequent workshops and leadership exposure. 
• Networking & Culture: Participate in social events, National Intern Day, and community service. 
• Career Pathway: Those eligible may be considered for full-time opportunities.

Overview of the Program

Vanair’s Engineering Internship offers individuals the chance to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings at locations across the U.S. Participants work on meaningful projects in areas such as automation, manufacturing, R&D, and more, gaining valuable hands-on experience. The program includes technical training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities like presentations and leadership-led learning sessions. It’s a great way to build skills, grow your network, and explore a future career in engineering.

Potential Projects

• Evaluate and redesign 330D tooling to improve line efficiency, ergonomics, repeatability, and station throughput. 
• Perform time‑motion studies, benchmark station layouts, and measure cycle‑time improvements. 
• Create CAD updates to tooling and run FEA checks when applicable. 
• Prototype tooling modifications using 3D printing or laser‑cut parts and validate improvements. 
• Support solar testing by setting up solar simulators or outdoor rigs and running controlled test sequences. 
• Instrument devices for voltage, current, and temperature logging and analyze energy‑harvesting performance. 
• Assist with 12V reciprocating compressor testing, including teardown, tolerance measurements, and performance curve characterization. 
• Set up test benches with pressure transducers, tachometers, and thermocouples and conduct NVH baseline measurements. 
• Participate in high‑current jumpstarting software reviews, analyzing protection logic, thermal effects, and current pathways. 
• Create block diagrams, perform failure‑mode analysis, and support bench testing for system safety validation.

Basic Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or having already achieved a bachelor's degree in engineering 
• Eligible to work in the U.S. on a full-time, permanent basis without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Mechanical Engineering degree 
• Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 
• Interest in working in a manufacturing environment 
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and schematics 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment