2027 Mechanical Product Engineering Co-Op

About the Role

This is a 1-year Co-Op commitment starting in January 2027 and ending in December 2027. The role is on-site at Wabash's Railyard location.

• Expected hours: 10-15 hours per week during Spring and Fall semesters, 40 hours per week during the summer semester.
• Reliable transportation is needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist on product development projects and adjacent team projects.
• Design, optimize, and test new and existing products to enhance product offerings, improve quality, reduce warranty risk, and minimize production cost.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate needs from engineering, quality, and warranty departments.
• Engineering, testing, and validation related to Van Trailers and Truck Bodies.
• Assist in solving customer problems by identifying and developing product solutions in terms of form, fit, and function.
• Collaborate to specify product functional requirements, identify design failure mode risks (DFMEA), and assist in developing testing strategies (DVP&R) based on user needs, internal/external standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist in managing cost and weight initiatives.
• Assist in the creation of testing methods and interpreting testing results.
• Support department initiatives (e.g., VA/VE, new products) through the Product Change Process.
• Assist manufacturing team members with quality-related process improvement projects, lean manufacturing projects, and equipment qualification/validation by reviewing protocols and reports.
• Assist warranty team members to solve customer-related issues effectively and timely.
• Assist team members in internal and external corrective and preventive actions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Basic sub-assembly in the test lab will be required.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Proficiency in MS Office.
• Some experience in product development.
• Experience with 3D CAD software (preferably SolidWorks).
• Experience with basic hand tools is preferred.
• An understanding of sensors, strain gauges, and thermocouples is a plus.
• Any SAP and PLM experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Pursuance of a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (ME), Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET), or equivalent.
• Fundamental knowledge of basic manufacturability processes.
• Fundamental knowledge of material properties and Design for Manufacturability (DFM).
• Fundamental knowledge of structural design.
• Fundamental knowledge of thermodynamics / heat and mass transfer.
• A working knowledge of statistics and data analysis.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, including practicing good emotional intelligence.
• Good character and work ethical attributes, including being punctual, a self-starter, good time management skills, and able to record instructions and deliver on expectations in a timely manner.