Senior Vehicle Engineering Intern (Grad Students Only)

The MBTA’s Vehicle Engineering team focuses on current fleet reliability and new and overhauled vehicle projects, fleet planning efforts, capital initiatives, and process improvement projects for the Engineering and Capital Division. Some examples of recent projects:

• New Red and Orange line Heavy Rail Cars
• New Commuter Rail Coaches
• New Battery Electric Buses
• Overhaul of Compressed Natural Gas Buses
• Life Extension of Legacy Red Line Fleets
• Overhaul of HSP46 Locomotives

The Vehicle Engineering team is seeking one intern whose studies focus on mechanical and electrical engineering to work on various projects with existing staff and its consultants. The intern will work directly with the Project Managers and Engineers on the Vehicle Engineering team.

This position is open only to students enrolled in a graduate degree program.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities 

• Prepare technical specifications.
• Participate in design reviews.
• Participate in inspection of systems/components.
• Review drawings, manuals, and test procedures.
• Compile data and prepare detailed test reports.
• Review systems and vehicle modifications.
• Review testing plans.
• Test major systems and vehicles.
• Review responses to technical issues.
• Review failure analysis of systems/components.
• Participate in existing projects, potentially including quantitative and qualitative data analysis, writing, design review, and more.
• Participate in project coordination, including organizing meetings and communicating with consultants and other departments on project needs and deliverables.
• Attend vehicle field tests with consultants and MBTA staff at facilities and on track / road in Greater Boston, following all health & safety protocols.
• Create reports and presentations.
• Participate in team / staff meetings, organization events, fieldwork, project teams, or other duties as needed.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

* The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Minimum Education 

• Enrolled, for entire duration of employment, in the graduate degree program of an accredited college / university in the fields of Planning, Data Analytics, Engineering (mechanical and electrical), Environmental Science, Business, or a public transportation related field

Minimum Experience and Required Skills

• Ability to think critically about engineering and design, understanding how engineering decisions could affect riders and the agency
• Ability to take clear and concise notes
• Ability to comfortably engage staff across the agency in a variety of disciplines
• Ability to write technical information in clear and accessible ways
• Ability to create presentations that communicate information clearly
• Knowledge of:
  • Microsoft Excel
  • ArcGIS
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Design / Modeling Software (e.g. AutoCAD, SolidWorks)
• Ability to work in person five (5) days per week in the field
• Ability to work and thrive in dynamic work environments
• Above average analytical, organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to independently commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Authorized to work in the United States (international students in CPT, STEM, or OPT programs through a university are eligible to apply).

* The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Engineering expertise in transportation or mechanical / electrical engineering