Mechanical Engineering Co-Op

Summary

The Henderson Technical Laboratory (HTL) Co-op supports the re-establishment and development of in-house mechanical testing capabilities for metallic materials. The primary focus of this position will be returning existing mechanical testing equipment to operational service and establishing repeatable laboratory capabilities for basic tensile, low-cycle fatigue, and related mechanical testing.

Working alongside engineers and laboratory technicians, the co-op will evaluate existing test equipment, computer hardware, software, instrumentation, fixtures, and supporting systems; assist with equipment startup and troubleshooting; execute initial test programs; and develop the documentation necessary to support continued laboratory operation.

This position provides a unique opportunity for a student to take ownership of a capability-development project from equipment assessment through successful testing while gaining hands-on experience with mechanical testing, instrumentation, metallic materials, laboratory equipment, and pilot-scale engineering operations.

Essential Functions

• Support the return to service of existing servo-hydraulic mechanical testing systems and creep testing equipment.
• Assess existing equipment, instrumentation, controllers, computers, software, fixtures, and supporting systems to determine operational status and identify needs for return to service.
• Assist with inspection, basic maintenance, troubleshooting, and functional verification of mechanical testing equipment in accordance with applicable procedures and manufacturer requirements.
• Configure and verify computer hardware, test-control software, data acquisition systems, and associated instrumentation used for mechanical testing.
• Develop familiarity with tensile, dwell low-cycle fatigue (DLCF), creep, and other relevant mechanical testing methods.
• Establish and execute basic mechanical test methods, initially emphasizing tensile and dwell low-cycle fatigue testing of metallic specimens.
• Prepare test specimens and coordinate specimen requirements with HTL's machining capabilities.
• Install specimens, extensometers, grips, fixtures, and other test hardware as training and qualifications permit.
• Collect, review, organize, and analyze mechanical test data and identify potential equipment, instrumentation, or test-method issues.
• Document equipment configurations, startup procedures, test methods, troubleshooting activities, maintenance
  
  

requirements, and test results.

• Develop or revise Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Job Safety Assessments (JSAs), work instructions, equipment documentation, and other materials needed to support sustained laboratory operation.
• Prepare technical summaries, presentations, and reports documenting project progress and mechanical testing
  
  

results.

• Follow all established safety requirements, procedures, equipment limitations, and laboratory practices while
  
  

working with mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and high-temperature equipment.

• Take ownership of assigned capability-development activities and communicate progress, technical challenges,
  
  

and recommendations to HTL personnel.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support organization, cleaning, inspection, and general readiness of mechanical testing and pilot plant work
  
  

areas.

• Assist with inventory and organization of mechanical testing fixtures, grips, extensometers, thermocouples, tooling, spare components, and consumable materials.
• Assist with identifying replacement components, maintenance items, software requirements, and other resources necessary to sustain mechanical testing capabilities.
• Support preventative maintenance planning and development of equipment maintenance records.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities related to equipment reliability, test efficiency, data
  
  

organization, and laboratory workflow.

• Support other pilot plant, materials testing, machining, or laboratory activities based on project needs and
  
  

student experience.

• Participate in departmental meetings, training activities, technical discussions, and project reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of HTL engineering and laboratory operations.
  
  

Qualifications

• Strong mechanical aptitude and interest in hands-on engineering work.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Ability to systematically investigate technical problems and document findings.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to generating accurate, traceable test data.
• Ability to read and follow technical manuals, procedures, drawings, and equipment documentation.
• Ability to work independently on assigned projects while recognizing when assistance or technical guidance is
  
  

required.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Commitment to safe work practices, particularly when working around mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and hightemperature equipment.
• Willingness to learn unfamiliar equipment, software, instrumentation, and test methods.
• Professionalism, integrity, accountability, and a strong sense of ownership for assigned work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Currently pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree in a STEM field.
• Must have completed at least one year of college-level coursework prior to the start of the co-op assignment.
• Coursework or academic experience related to mechanics of materials, materials science, mechanical design,
  
  

instrumentation, controls, manufacturing, or experimental engineering is preferred.

• Previous hands-on experience with mechanical equipment, laboratory testing, machining, instrumentation, electronics, or engineering project work is beneficial but not required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States (US Persons Only).
  
  

Special Skills

Experience or familiarity in one or more of the following areas would be considered beneficial:

• Mechanical testing of metallic materials, including tensile, fatigue, or creep testing.
• Servo-hydraulic mechanical test systems and associated controllers.
• Extensometers, load cells, thermocouples, strain measurement, or other test instrumentation.
• Data acquisition and test-control software.
• Hydraulic systems, pumps, valves, and basic fluid power concepts.
• Electrical troubleshooting, sensors, signal conditioning, or basic controls.
• Furnaces, temperature controllers, and high-temperature testing equipment.
• CNC machining or conventional machining processes.
• Reading mechanical drawings and test specimen drawings.
• Analysis and visualization of engineering test data.
• Development of technical procedures, work instructions, or laboratory documentation.
  
  

Additional Notes

• This position is expected to involve significant hands-on work with existing laboratory and pilot plant equipment. - The primary project objective will be to help establish a safe, reliable, and documented mechanical testing
  
  

capability at HTL, progressing from equipment assessment and functional checkout through execution of

representative mechanical tests.

• The student will work under appropriate supervision and will receive equipment- and task-specific training before
  
  

independently performing applicable activities.

• The scope and technical complexity of assignments may be adjusted based on the student's academic level, previous experience, demonstrated abilities, and progression during the co-op.
• Successful completion of the assignment should result not only in functioning equipment, but also in documented
  
  

test methods, equipment configurations, operating procedures, and supporting information that enable continued

use of the mechanical testing capability.