Research & Design Engineering Internship

Autodesk

2d • $72,800 - $118,500 • Onsite

About The Position

As part of Autodesk’s team, this internship role may have the opportunity to contribute to project(s) supporting Autodesk’s partnership as the Official Design and Make Platform of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA. Position Overview Autodesk is offering a Master’s-level Research & Design Engineer internship based out of the Technology Center San Francisco for a graduate student in mechanical engineering or related discipline. This role is well suited for a candidate with experience translating academic or capstone research into applied, real-world design and manufacturing solutions. The intern will report to the Technology Center San Francisco Manager and be mentored by a Principal Research & Design Engineer. The focus of the internship is to refine, optimize, and standardize the design and manufacturing workflows for instrumented climbing holds that incorporate embedded sensors capable of capturing multi-axis force and torque data. The work builds directly on an existing university-led engineering project and aims to mature both design and fabrication processes for broader, repeatable use. The project centers on advanced mechanical design and instrumentation for climbing equipment used in a high-performance training environment. The intern will help evolve prototype designs into more robust, manufacturable solutions, with an emphasis on repeatability, reliability, and usability. This work may contribute to Design and Make–related initiatives that support elite athlete training and performance analysis. Some of these efforts may be part of projects connected to Autodesk’s role as the Official Design and Make Platform of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA. Learning opportunities include: Advance an existing engineering project from academic prototype toward standardized, real-world implementation Receive direct mentorship from senior engineering leadership within Autodesk’s Technology Center network Gain experience applying Design and Make technologies to performance-driven hardware challenges Develop insight into how Autodesk tools may support projects connected to major global events, such as the LA28 Games, within an appropriate and qualified scope

Requirements

• Current Master’s student in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field
• Hands-on experience with mechanical design, prototyping, and fabrication through coursework, capstone projects, or research
• Proficiency with CAD tools and an understanding of Design and Make workflows
• Demonstrated ability to work at the intersection of design, manufacturing, and applied performance requirements
• Strong communication skills and comfort collaborating with technical and non-technical stakeholders

Nice To Haves

• Experience with climbing equipment, sports technology, or athlete-centered product design
• Familiarity with embedded sensors, instrumentation, or mechanically integrated electronics
• Prior experience continuing or expanding an academic project into a more production-ready solution

Responsibilities

• Refine mechanical designs for sensor-integrated climbing holds, with attention to structural performance, durability, and manufacturability
• Improve and document standardized manufacturing, assembly, and instrumentation workflows
• Apply Autodesk Design and Make tools to support design iteration, prototyping, and validation
• Collaborate closely with engineering and research mentors to incorporate feedback from real-world use cases
• Support integration of embedded sensors and address mechanical constraints related to data capture and reliability
• Produce high-quality technical documentation, including CAD models, drawings, and process. documentation, to enable continuity beyond the internship

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern