Mechanical & Product Design Internship – Interactive Shooting Simulation Hardware

Job Description

About Company and Job Description

Company: Tactical Affairs

Location: Bellevue, Washington

Tactical Affairs is innovating the shooting range experience by integrating advanced game software with custom hardware, creating immersive and skill-based challenges featuring simulated firearms, kinetic targets, and real-time feedback.

Job Title: Mechanical & Product Design Internship – Interactive Shooting Simulation Hardware

Type: Internship

Duration: 3–6 months

Compensation: Unpaid; offers hands-on industry experience, portfolio-building projects, mentorship in mechanical/product design, and may qualify for academic credit.

Job Description:

This Mechanical & Product Design Internship presents an exciting opportunity for a sharp and inventive student to contribute to the development of interactive shooting simulation hardware. As a Product Design Intern, you will be deeply involved in fast-moving product development cycles, taking ownership of real-world design challenges across Airsoft Smart Magazines, Tracer Units, and PEQ systems.

Responsibilities:

• Developing Mechanical Systems:
• Modeling and assembling tactical firearm mechanisms, mounting fixtures, and sensor housings using SOLIDWORKS or Fusion 360.
• Performing finite element analysis (FEA) to ensure structural integrity under dynamic loads.
• Designing for manufacturability, incorporating GD&T and selecting appropriate materials for cost-effective production.
• Prototyping & Testing:
• Fabricating proof-of-concept parts using 3D printing.
• Conducting load, fatigue, and motion tests, analyzing results, and iterating on designs.
• Integrating electromechanical components (motors, encoders, sensors) into assemblies.
• Documentation & Collaboration:
• Drafting detailed engineering drawings and process plans for both in-house and contract manufacturing.
• Coordinating with software, electronics, and industrial design teams to ensure seamless system integration.
• Managing version control and maintaining design libraries within PDM/PLM systems.
• Product Design & Innovation:
• Tackling product design problems from first principles, creating elegant, durable, and manufacturable solutions.
• Designing, prototyping, and iterating physical components and integrated systems with minimal supervision.
• Working on tight-tolerance, high-precision components where a strong understanding of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) is crucial.
• Leveraging rapid prototyping tools like 3D printing to quickly validate concepts.
• Collaborating closely with engineering to ensure form, fit, and function align with technical and manufacturing constraints.
• Pushing design boundaries while considering cost, assembly, materials, and the end-user experience.
• Participating in brainstorms, critiques, and rapid review sessions to efficiently evolve ideas.
• Creating 3D CAD models, technical drawings, and concept renderings as needed.
• Considering mass production implications early in the design process.

Who You Are:

A creative and technically driven Mechanical or Product Design student who is eager to tackle real-world challenges within a fast-paced startup environment.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Proficiency in SOLIDWORKS, Fusion 360 or similar.
• Familiarity with manual lathe, 2-axis CNC milling, and MIG welding.
• Understanding of first-principles calculations, fatigue/failure mode analysis, and test rig setup.
• Experience with MATLAB or Python for data analysis; familiarity with PDM/PLM workflows.
• Strong technical writing, project management, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Currently pursuing or recently graduated with a degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Comfortable interpreting and creating GD&T callouts for precise parts.
• Hands-on prototyping skills, including 3D printing, basic fabrication, and hand assembly.
• A portfolio demonstrating both aesthetic sensitivity and engineering understanding.
• Ability to think through systems, from user interaction to mechanical interfaces and manufacturability.
• Comfortable operating in high-speed, ambiguous environments.
• A passion for hardware, Airsoft, or tactical innovation is a significant advantage.

Why Join Us?

• Develop Portfolio-Worthy Projects: Lead the design of cutting-edge hardware for next-generation shooting simulations.
• Receive Mentorship & Grow: Learn from experienced mechanical engineers and entrepreneurs in a lean startup environment, with direct mentorship from designers and engineers passionate about product innovation.
• Innovate at the Intersection: Shape a novel blend of gaming, sports, and hardware engineering.
• Experience Startup Immersion: Gain rare exposure to startup culture, including investor pitches and strategy sessions on fundraising and go-to-market plans, and witness firsthand how technical insights drive business decisions.
• Gain Cross-Functional Exposure: Collaborate with marketing, sales, and finance teams to understand product positioning, market validation, and scaling challenges, gaining insights beyond typical internships.
• Have Hands-On Business Impact: Contribute to real investor materials and help refine the technical narrative, directly influencing product development and company growth.
• Gain Real-World Experience: Work on tangible, cutting-edge Airsoft technology.
• Have Full Visibility: Experience the entire development process, from initial ideation to real-world manufacturing decisions.
• Build a Unique Portfolio: Create production-worthy work that you can proudly showcase.
• Witness the Startup Grind First-Hand: Observe fundraising meetings, understand investor pitches, and learn how early-stage companies thrive.
• Access Leadership: Gain direct insights from the CEO and leadership team on scaling a company, building a brand, and navigating the challenges of a growing business.
• Experience Entrepreneurship: Get a front-row seat to the dynamic and high-stakes world of building a business.