Electrical Engineer Intern at Mid-West Forge Corporation – Cleveland, Ohio

Overview

Mid-West Forge is seeking a motivated Electrical Engineering Summer Intern to join our Engineering and Maintenance teams for a full-time, paid summer opportunity (typically mid-May through mid-August). This role is ideal for candidate pursuing a Bachelor’s or Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related field. You will gain immersive, project-based experience in electrical design, control system development, making electrical drawings, robot programming, troubleshooting, and optimization of electrical and automation systems within a high-volume hot-forging environment.

The internship blends electrical design work with hands-on shop-floor implementation, robotic automation upgrades, and cross-functional collaboration. You will contribute to tangible improvements in our upset forging lines, shot-blast , extrusion and machining operations, and facility electrical infrastructure while participating in daily facilities excellence initiatives. This is a rare opportunity to see your electrical drawings and robot programs move from concept to live production in weeks not months and to build a professional portfolio of real-world industrial automation accomplishments at a company where innovation and ownership are encouraged.

Key Responsibilities

· Create, revise, and maintain comprehensive electrical drawings including schematics, control panel layouts, wiring diagrams, panel schedules, one-line diagrams, interconnection drawings, and bill of materials using AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent software.

· Design, modify, and document electrical control systems, schematics, and panel layouts for heater hold-down fixtures and automatic in-line bar feeding mechanisms used in our upset forging processes.

· Program, simulate, test, troubleshoot, and optimize industrial robots (Fanuc, ABB, or similar) for automated material handling, part loading/unloading, forging press tending, and axle feeding through shot-blast cleaning units, including path teaching, I/O integration, safety interlocking, and cycle-time optimization.

· Program and troubleshoot PLCs (Allen-Bradley preferred), HMIs, variable frequency drives (VFDs), servo systems, and associated automation equipment; develop ladder logic, function block diagrams, and HMI screens to optimize performance and reduce downtime.

· Lead or support the redesign and rebuild of electrical inlet and outlet control systems (motors, sensors, VFDs, and safety interlocks) for axle feeding through shot-blast units.

· Collaborate with maintenance and fabrication teams on the procurement, assembly, wiring, installation, testing, and commissioning of custom electrical panels, control upgrades, and robotic work cells.

· Perform hands-on electrical troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions on live production equipment, including variable frequency drives, servo systems, proximity sensors, industrial networks, and robotic systems.

· Collect and analyze electrical and production data (power consumption, downtime events, fault logs) using basic statistical tools; contribute to continuous improvement projects focused on energy reduction, predictive maintenance, and Lean/5S methodologies.

· Prepare professional project documentation, including technical reports, one-line diagrams, arc-flash study support, PowerPoint presentations, and cost-justification summaries for review by engineering management and operations leadership.

· Support additional electrical and automation initiatives such as machine guarding interlock upgrades, lighting retrofits, backup generator testing, robotic cell expansions, ergonomic control station improvements, and preventive maintenance program enhancements.

· Maintain a safe, organized, and professional work environment while strictly adhering to all company safety policies, lockout/tagout procedures, NFPA 70E electrical safety standards, and OSHA regulations.

Qualifications;

· Currently enrolled in an accredited Bachelor’s or Masters degree program in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.

· Solid electrical aptitude and demonstrated interest in industrial automation, controls, robotics, and heavy manufacturing environments.

· Basic working knowledge of CAD software for electrical design (AutoCAD Electrical preferred; SolidWorks Electrical or EPLAN acceptable) and Microsoft Office Suite.

· Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.

· Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented manufacturing environment.

· Must be able to stand, walk, climb ladders, and occasionally lift up to 30 lbs for extended periods.Must be authorized to work in the United States.

What You’ll Gain:

· Direct, hands-on experience creating professional electrical drawings and programming industrial robots in a real production setting.

· Direct mentorship from licensed Professional Engineers and veteran controls/automation specialists.

· Ownership of meaningful electrical, controls, and robotic projects that will be installed and running in our plant by the end of the summer.

· Exposure to advanced forging technology, industrial controls, variable-speed drives, safety systems, robotic automation, and world-class facilities electrical management practices.

· A professional engineering portfolio featuring actual electrical drawings and robot programs implemented in production, plus letters of recommendation and strong potential for full-time employment or future co-op opportunities upon graduation.

· Competitive hourly compensation (commensurate with experience) plus overtime opportunities when applicable.

Physical Demands:

This position requires adherence to strict safety regulations and the consistent use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including hard hats, eye protection, earplugs, and steel-toe footwear. The work environment may include exposure to varying temperatures, high noise levels, vibrations, confined spaces, narrow walkways, and working at heights up to 30 feet. Employees must be able to safely perform various physical tasks, including lifting up to 30 pounds.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, protected veteran status or disability.,