Mechanical Engineering Intern (Pack STEM, DSSP Inc., Summer '25)
**This internship is hosted by DSSP Inc. and sponsored by the Nevada Career Studio.
To be eligible for this internship, all applicants must have their resume and cover letter reviewed by the Nevada Career Studio (NCS). Please visit during drop-in hours before applying for this position. Students will not be able to submit applications for this position without NCS approval.
About DSSP Inc:
DSSP is a local aerospace and defense company that researches and manufactures green, safe, electrically controlled propellants. These propellants can be used for a variety of purposes including special effects, satellite maneuvering, training simulators, and enhanced oil and gas recovery. DSSP manufactures the propellants and designs the electronics to control the propellants. One of our current projects focuses on battlefield effects simulators to enhance military training scenarios. We are a small close-knit group looking for some new interns to assist our full-time engineers.
Internship Description:
This intern will become familiar with shop equipment such as a CNC, lathe and mill and learn how to use and maintain them. The main project for this intern will be working on a project to build a demo unit for a main tank gun simulator. Depending on the experience of the intern, this could include designing a belt fed system for the cartridges, or just focusing on the enclosure and controls. We have multiple smaller design and build projects as well that this intern will be assigned based on experience. This is a very hands-on internship learning both the design aspect and build of the design.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Complete 360 hours of work as an intern (32-40 hours per week, 12 weeks total)
- Service and maintain shop equipment and learn how to use the equipment to build enclosures and machine parts for designs.
- Evaluate current assembly processes for DSSP's eSquib which contains electric solid propellant to optimize assembly and consistency of manufacturing.
- Take a current design, improve upon it and build a prototype, specifically a main tank gun simulator.
- Design tasks will be assigned based on experience and capabilities of the intern
Goals and Expectations of the Intern:
Be able to learn new things quickly. We understand not many things will translate from the classroom to this position, so learning is a task in itself. Self-learners will do great. We expect engineers will help guide the intern and for the intern to progress on the task individually.
Punctuality is expected, as we let interns set their own schedules and to follow those as set. Time management during projects is key, knowing when to keep going and when to ask for help.
Required Qualifications:
- Must be a degree-seeking student at the University of Nevada, Reno after the Spring ‘25 semester
- Spring ‘25 or earlier graduates are not eligible for the Wolf Pack STEM Internship Program
- Pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
- Must be a US Citizen due to requirements of DSSP's military contracts
Preferred Qualifications:
- Hands-on tool experience
- Shop experience (mill, lathe, CNC, welding, sheet metal)
- CAD experience
- Instrumentation experience
Desired Schedule for Intern:
Applicants must be available to work 30-40hrs per week during office hours which are M-F 8am to 5pm. Schedule is flexible and can vary week to week if needed.
Pack STEM internships require interns to complete 360 hours during their internship. It is the intern’s responsibility to ensure this requirement is met.