Mechanical Engineering Internship – Prototype Enclosure Design

Job Description

Fall 2026 Intern – Platform Prototype Development | WD

The Tone:
This is a Fall 2026 internship at WD, a company dedicated to building the essential infrastructure for the burgeoning AI-driven data economy. As AI capabilities expand, the volume of data generated by every interaction, model, and system grows exponentially, requiring robust storage, management, and accessibility solutions – precisely where WD specializes. The company leverages deep engineering expertise and global-scale manufacturing to deliver the critical storage systems that power hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide. This internship offers a hands-on mechanical engineering opportunity focused on the design and development of a showcase prototype enclosure for next-generation intelligent storage platforms, providing an authentic experience in building and operating real systems at significant scale.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Mission: To help design and fabricate a custom transparent enclosure and display system that effectively highlights key electronic and compute components used in advanced data center storage systems, translating production designs into showcase-ready prototypes.
• Tech Stack: SolidWorks, CAD

What You’ll Actually Do
• Design & Plan: Design a comprehensive show display prototype enclosure for an advanced intelligent storage platform, helping to translate production designs into showcase and demo-ready prototypes.
• Model: Create and modify precise mechanical designs using SolidWorks, ensuring all specifications for the prototype enclosure are met.
• Validate: Participate in crucial design reviews and prototype validation activities to confirm the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the newly designed enclosures.
• Fabricate: Provide hands-on support for prototype fabrication activities, encompassing practical tasks such as drilling, routing, cutting, polishing, fastening, and assembly of the custom transparent enclosure.
• Analyze & Execute: Perform necessary mechanical calculations related to component fit, articulation, precise tolerances, and structural integrity, working within tight timelines to achieve the display concept.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline, making it an ideal opportunity for individuals at the early stages of their professional career, typically aligning with candidates who have approximately 0–2+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience: Required experience includes the use of SolidWorks, CAD, or similar 3D modeling tools, coupled with comfort and practical experience working in a lab, prototype, or fabrication environment.
• Skills: Possess a strong mechanical aptitude and demonstrated hands-on problem-solving skills; exhibit strong communication and collaboration capabilities; act as a self-starter with strong initiative and a genuine eagerness to learn and adapt.
• Bonus: Prior experience or interest in program management is considered an advantage for this role.