Software Engineering Intern

About the Role

Valstad is seeking a Software Engineering Intern to help build interactive 3D and manufacturing applications for our robotic production platform. You will work with CAD-derived geometry, robot paths, manufacturing data, and factory workflows. Projects may involve 3D visualization, CAD-model processing, manufacturing-plan review, production interfaces, or tools for analyzing robotic operations. You will own a defined software capability, work with engineers and factory users, and deliver a functional product.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a scoped software project from requirements to deployment.
• Build production-quality frontend or full-stack software.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, robotics, and welding engineers to understand operational needs.
• Observe software usage in Valstad’s manufacturing facility.
• Work with CAD-derived geometry and manufacturing data.
• Develop clear user interfaces for complex technical workflows.
• Write automated tests and participate in code review.
• Diagnose software behavior using logs, production data, and user feedback.
• Document your work for maintenance and extension.
• Present your completed project to the Valstad team.

Potential Projects

• Building an interactive 3D viewer for ship panels, stiffeners, welds, fixtures, and robotic operations.
• Visualizing robot paths, tool orientations, work envelopes, and manufacturing sequences.
• Developing model-selection, filtering, measurement, annotation, and section-view tools.
• Building a CAD-import validation interface.
• Developing tools for comparing model revisions and identifying affected manufacturing operations.
• Building production job-status and operator interfaces.
• Creating visualizations for coordinate frames, transformations, and sensor measurements.
• Developing tools for reviewing the difference between nominal CAD geometry and measured physical geometry.
• Building dashboards for robot faults, manual interventions, cycle times, and production outcomes.
• Improving the performance of large 3D models through instancing, level of detail, or incremental loading.
• Creating automated tests for complex manufacturing workflows.
• Developing internal tools that connect CAD entities to manufacturing and inspection records.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a related field.
• Strong programming fundamentals.
• Experience building software beyond introductory coursework.
• Experience with JavaScript or TypeScript.
• Familiarity with a modern frontend framework such as React, Vue, or Svelte.
• Ability to work independently on a clearly defined technical project.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and ask useful technical questions.
• Interest in robotics, manufacturing, CAD, graphics, or industrial software.
• Availability to work full-time and on-site in Austin for the duration of the internship.

Strongly Preferred

• Experience with React and TypeScript.
• Experience with Three.js, React Three Fiber, Babylon.js, WebGL, or another real-time 3D graphics framework.
• Experience developing CAD, CAM, BIM, simulation, or engineering applications.
• Familiarity with meshes, coordinate systems, transformations, or computational geometry.
• Experience with Python, C++, Rust, Go, or another backend or systems language.
• Experience with PostgreSQL, APIs, or backend application development.
• Experience working with STEP, IGES, STL, OBJ, glTF, DXF, or similar geometry formats.
• Experience with Open Cascade or another geometry-processing library.
• Experience building applications for technical or expert users.
• Experience deploying a real application used by people other than yourself.
• Participation in research, student robotics, Formula SAE, engineering design teams, or relevant open-source projects.

What We Look For

• Personal projects with meaningful technical depth.
• Open-source contributions.
• Research or laboratory experience.
• Previous technical internships.
• Student-team experience.
• A portfolio or GitHub profile showing completed work.
• A strong explanation of tradeoffs and failures encountered while building something.

Success Looks Like

By the end of the internship, you will have delivered a working software capability that improves how Valstad’s team plans, visualizes, or executes robotic manufacturing. Your project will have:

• A clearly defined user and purpose.
• Production-quality implementation.
• Automated tests appropriate to the project.
• Documentation and a clear handoff.
• Feedback from actual engineers or factory users.
• A final demonstration using real or representative manufacturing data.

The strongest interns may be considered for future internships or full-time positions.

Compensation and Benefits

• Anticipated pay range: $32 to $38 per hour.
• A dedicated technical mentor.
• Direct exposure to industrial robots and manufacturing operations.
• Ownership of a substantive engineering project.
• Regular feedback and code review.
• Potential relocation or temporary housing assistance where appropriate.
• Consideration for future internship or full-time opportunities.