Ben is one of Janicki’s engineering interns for the summer of 2025. Originally from Everett, Washington, Ben is going into his senior year at Gonzaga University studying mechanical engineering.
His day-to-day duties vary at Janicki. Typically, he works with CAD modeling, speaks with technicians, reviews design, processes 3D printing projects and helps on the production floor. He’s involved in several projects this summer, but the main one involves creating a new modified drill jig to improve efficiency on some of the drilling operations.
Inspired by his father, who also works in aerospace, Ben grew up with a strong interest in aviation. He recalls visits to the airport with his dad and sister to watch the planes take off. His early exposure to industry helped shape his passion for engineering.
On campus, Ben is the president of his school’s American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) club. He also plays intermural sports, skis, enjoys baking and is trying to learn how to play the piano!
When asked about his experience at Janicki, Ben spoke highly of his mentor and the team that he works with. He noted that from the get-go, they were very approachable and wanted to see him succeed. Ben feels that he is offering meaningful contributions to his team. He appreciates being treated as a coworker, not just an intern, and finds it rewarding to know that his work has a real-world impact.
Ben was surprised by how complex and process-driven the aerospace industry is, particularly when it comes to quality control. The quality aspect of engineering was new for him, but he’s enjoying exploring different aspects of engineering during his internship. His advice for future interns was to familiarize yourself with processes before going into meetings, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Ben’s goals over the next couple of years are to graduate, find a job in the aerospace industry, continue learning piano and enjoy his senior year.
Written by Avery, 2025 Human Resources Intern
Are you interested in becoming a Janicki intern? Visit our Internships page for more information.