R&D Engineering Intern
Research & Development Engineering
Posted on 9/23/2025

Eaton Corporation
No salary listed
Athens, TN, USA
In Person
Primary Responsibility:
The Product Development Engineering Intern will work under the guidance of the engineering team and is responsible for design and development of innovative solutions for the Switching Devices product line. This position will contribute to the overall success of the product line with involvement in PRELaunch project research through manufacturing launch, participating in technology developments within the innovation pipeline, and leading sustainability projects. Functional responsibility includes design, testing and certification of switching devices assemblies and components with respect to performance, reliability, DFMA, and cost optimization of the final product. This position will work closely with the Engineering Manager, Program Manager, Engineering and MOL Supervisors, Design Engineers, Product Line Marketing Manager, Operations team members, Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing personnel in order to develop products per our Pro-Launch process.
What you’ll do:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Perform CAD solid modeling, design simulation, product specifications, drawing packages, Bill of Material (BOM) and Change Order (CO) creation, systems development, product testing and design validation
• Design parts and assemblies which include component types including: sheet metal, plastics, mechanisms, electrical and wiring, and/or packaging
• Participate in new product development/introduction, innovation, idea creation and implementation, prototype assembly and testing, DFMA assessments, plus other design-to-industrialization activities
• Participate in project management and engaging with multi-disciplined teams to achieve goals using PROLaunch and other project management tools
• Participate in Voice of the Customer (VOC) product and market requirements research
• Maintain and upgrade existing products through MOL (Maintenance of Line) plus VAVE activity support
• Provide assistance with 3rd party certifications such as UL, CSA, ISTA, and other regulatory agencies
• Ensure timely completion to project commitment dates
• Perform all operations using the highest safety and hygiene standards, electrical practices and established procedures. Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe workplace.
• Work from written or verbal information, sketches, and drawings to perform design tests necessary to prove engineering designs, modifications, and improvements.
• Assist technical personnel in recommending changes pertaining to dimensions, fits, tolerances, finishes, configuration, material and processes of parts and assemblies to enhance the possibility for design to pass design tests.
• Assist in preparing equipment for design tests – support the equipment, making electrical connections to the test equipment, attaching thermal couples, applying insulation techniques, etc.
• Complete test reports and all data entry using a computer, printer, photographs.
• Assist witness tests forUL, CSA, and other certifying organizations.
• Analyze design test results, such as temperature rise data, and make structure change recommendations to improve test results, if necessary.
• Work with engineering sketches and oral instructions and/or engineering to set-up and perform design tests.
• Provide prompt responses to design test requests to support production and customer ship dates.
• Identify special or unusual conditions of design test failure modes, recommend design fixes to engineering, and assist engineering in developmental work.
• Become familiar with all industry standards (IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, IEC, UL, & CSA) as necessary, to perform required equipment design tests.
• Required travel to high power labs, like Belmont Labs, Belmont, NC or KEMA Labs, Chalfont, PA to assist engineering perform design tests
• Obtains all necessary information to perform job assignment from engineers and manager. Works with little supervision to act as the primary contact for coordination of improvements.
• Researches, analyzes, and helps specify purchases and equipment required for Design Lab projects with assistance from the engineers and manager.
• Under direction from Engineers, modify or create technical drawings, material specs, work instructions, and relevant safety documentation.
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
• Must be pursuing a bachelor's degree or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or Engineering Technology from an accredited institution
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher
Preferred Qualifications:
• Minimum of one internship or co-op experience or an equivalent of 3 months of relevant experience completed at the time of this application.
Skills:
• Understanding of phase gate project management tools and techniques
• Experience working in a global business environment and with remote teams
• Knowledge of ERP systems
• Voice of the Customer (VOC) experience
• Solid modeling experience and the ability to develop detailed 2D drawings with tolerance controls plus management of engineering documents via Change Order process
• Experience performing various engineering tests and analyzing results
• Contribute to team-driven product development projects with high level of personal accountability, and excellent communication skills
• Adherence to Zero Incident Safety culture and processes

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