Research & Design Engineering Internship

Job Requisition ID # 26WD96198 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   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   Minimum Qualifications    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   Preferred Qualifications  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   About the US Internship Program  The 2026 U.S. program runs for 12 weeks (May 18 – August 7 or June 15 – September 4). All internships are paid. As an intern, you will contribute to meaningful projects, be mentored by industry leaders, and participate in tech talks and other activities designed to support your personal and professional development. Our internships align with Autodesk’s Flexible Workplace approach, which is designed to meet the needs of our business while providing flexibility in support of office, remote, and hybrid work preferences.    About Autodesk Technology Centers  Autodesk Technology Centers collaborate with industry, academia, and startups to explore, test, and validate innovative ideas shaping the future of design and manufacturing. Our mission is to inform Autodesk’s product and business strategy while creating inspiring stories for our community.  The San Francisco Technology Center at Pier 9 is a 35,000-sq-ft waterfront workshop and office space supporting advanced research under the guidance of our Chief Technology Officer. Our facility houses workshops for CNC machining, fabrication, additive manufacturing, robotics, and electronics, and hosts a global community of residents working on next-generation manufacturing challenges. It is one of four Autodesk Technology Centers located in San Francisco, Toronto, Boston, and Birmingham, UK.    Additional Information: This internship is intended for a Master’s-level candidate who expects to be available for full-time employment within one year. The role is based in San Francisco, with coordination across locations as needed to support project objectives.  Learn More About Autodesk Welcome to Autodesk! Amazing things are created every day with our software – from the greenest buildings and cleanest cars to the smartest factories and biggest hit movies. We help innovators turn their ideas into reality, transforming not only how things are made, but what can be made. We take great pride in our culture here at Autodesk – it’s at the core of everything we do. Our culture guides the way we work and treat each other, informs how we connect with customers and partners, and defines how we show up in the world. When you’re an Autodesker, you can do meaningful work that helps build a better world designed and made for all. Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us! Salary Transparency Salary is one part of Autodesk’s competitive compensation package. Offers are based on the candidate’s experience, educational level, and geographic location, and can exceed this range. For U.S.-based roles, we expect a starting annualized intern base salary to be between: $47,840 and $95,680 (undergraduate students) $72,800 and $118,500 (Masters/MBA students) $118,560 and $162,240 (PhD students) Equal Employment Opportunity At Autodesk, we're building a diverse workplace and an inclusive culture to give more people the chance to imagine, design, and make a better world. Autodesk is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic. We also consider for employment all qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable law. Diversity & Belonging We take pride in cultivating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive. Learn more here: https://www.autodesk.com/company/diversity-and-belonging