Co-op, Mechatronics Engineer

Your Impact at LILA

Lila is seeking a Co-op, Mechatronics Engineer to join the Hardware & Controls Engineering team in Alewife for the January through May term. You will work on the systems that make autonomous science possible: automated workcells, custom instrumentation, sensing hardware, motion systems, and integrated lab equipment.

This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who wants to build real hardware in a fast-moving R&D environment. You will move between mechanical design, electrical integration, prototyping, testing, documentation, and troubleshooting, working alongside engineers and scientists to turn lab needs into reliable engineering systems.

Your work will support the next generation of lab automation at Lila, helping improve the reliability, scalability, and performance of systems used across our scientific programs. You will leave the term with practical experience across the full mechatronics stack, from concept and CAD through build, test, and iteration.

What You'll Be Building

• Design and build mechanical and electromechanical components for automated lab systems.
• Support integration of sensors, actuators, motion systems, and control hardware.
• Create CAD models, drawings, prototypes, fixtures, and test setups.
• Assemble, debug, and iterate on hardware for workcells and custom instrumentation.
• Run tests, document results, and communicate design changes clearly.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists to translate lab workflows into reliable systems.
• Contribute to improvements that increase system reliability, usability, and maintainability.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field.
• Experience with CAD design, prototyping, fabrication, or hands-on engineering projects.
• Foundational understanding of mechanical systems, electrical systems, sensors, actuators, or controls.
• Comfortable building, testing, debugging, and documenting physical systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail in hands-on technical work.
• Clear communication skills and ability to collaborate across engineering and scientific teams.
• Curiosity about lab automation, instrumentation, robotics, or autonomous science.

Bonus Points For

• Experience with SolidWorks or another parametric CAD tool.
• Exposure to electrical wiring, instrumentation, controls, or data acquisition systems.
• Experience with robotics, lab automation, industrial automation, or motion systems.
• Familiarity with 3D printing, machining, sheet metal, or rapid prototyping methods.
• Previous internship, co-op, lab, project team, or R&D experience.