Tag Archives: Engineering

Intern Stories: Ethan, 2025 Production Intern

Ethan, a mechanical engineering student at Gonzaga University, is part of Janicki’s 2025 cohort of production interns. Originally from Anacortes, Washington, he was already familiar with the company and was drawn to the internship by Janicki’s involvement in multiple industries.

His interest in the field began at a young age. With a father who is both a civil engineer and a Navy veteran, Ethan was introduced to engineering early on and always felt it was a path he wanted to consider.

This summer, Ethan has been working on the production floor, primarily supporting metallic installations for the aerospace team. He shared that one of the highlights of his internship has been the hands-on nature of the work. From day one, he felt included and engaged, working directly alongside technicians. He emphasized that his team has been especially impactful, providing a collaborative environment and valuable mentorship.

Ethan was surprised by the precision and detail involved in the production process, noting how meticulous each task is and how much of the assembly is done by hand. The experience has given him a new appreciation for the practical applications of engineering.

At Gonzaga, Ethan is an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, where he works on production and engineering projects during the academic year. He is also involved in the university’s run club and plays intramural sports. Outside of academics and work, Ethan enjoys hiking, running and spending time outdoors.

When asked what advice he would give to future interns, Ethan said,

“You should ask as many questions as possible and try to get involved as soon as you can.”

Looking ahead, he hopes to explore different sectors within production and engineering to determine which path best suits him as he approaches graduation.

Written by Avery, 2025 Human Resources Intern

Are you interested in becoming a Janicki intern? Visit our Internships page for more information.

Intern Stories: Janie, 2025 Utah Engineering Intern

Janie is spending her summer as an engineering intern at Janicki’s Utah campus, where she works on the metallics team. Going into her senior year at Utah State University, she is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering with a focus in aerospace.

Her day-to-day duties at Janicki vary, as she reports to multiple mentors who assign her projects that align with the metallics team’s goals. This hands-on exposure has provided her with a broad view of how engineering teams operate in an industrial setting.

On campus, Janie is involved in several engineering-related organizations. She is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, where she competes in an annual trebuchet-building contest, and also participates in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, contributing to projects related to HVAC systems.

Janie’s interest in engineering began in middle school when she took a STEM elective with an engineering focus. She was immediately hooked. In high school, she competed on her school’s engineering team building model cars, though she admits she didn’t fully understand what engineers did until later.

One of the biggest surprises during her internship has been the transition from classroom learning to the real-world industry.

“Some of the academic concepts apply,” she said, “but implementing them practically is a very different experience.”

Despite the challenge, she sees it as a valuable opportunity to grow.

Her advice for future interns:

“Soak everything up. Now is your time to learn as much as you can.”

Looking ahead, Janie plans to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in spring 2026, begin a master’s program and eventually enter the engineering industry. She has enjoyed her experiences in aerospace and HVAC so far, but she is also interested in exploring automation in the future.

Written by Avery, 2025 Human Resources Intern

Are you interested in becoming a Janicki intern? Visit our Internships page for more information.

Intern Stories: Cory, 2025 Engineering Intern

Cory is one of Janicki’s engineering interns for the summer of 2025. Originally from Iowa, he is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at Dordt University, where he also plays for the university’s volleyball team, sings in an all-men’s choir and serves as co-chair of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) club.

Cory first learned about Janicki at a career fair and was drawn to the company due to his background in composites. He saw the internship as an opportunity to deepen his technical knowledge and gain real-world experience.

This summer, Cory’s responsibilities have largely centered around a single project, allowing him to dive deep into multiple aspects of engineering. Through this work, he has gained experience with project management, learned to use new software tools and even spent a week on the production floor performing layups on a part he helped design.

His favorite part of the internship, however, has been the people. He shared that his coworkers have been approachable, encouraging and always open to questions. He frequently walks the shop floor to get feedback and different perspectives on his project.

Cory has also had the opportunity to participate in the early stages of a new project at Janicki, gaining insight into what it takes to develop an original design. He noted that one of the most surprising aspects of the internship was the scope and complexity of Janicki’s projects.

Outside of engineering, Cory’s friends describe him as relaxed, knowledgeable and helpful. When he is not working or studying, he enjoys playing board games and spending time with friends.

Looking ahead, Cory is excited to graduate and continue developing his skills in the engineering industry.

Written by Avery, 2025 Human Resources Intern

Are you interested in becoming a Janicki intern? Visit our Internships page for more information.

Intern Stories: Ben, 2025 Engineering Intern

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.

Intern Stories: Luke, 2025 NDI Engineering Intern

Luke is one of Janicki’s engineering interns for summer 2025, specializing in non-destructive inspection (NDI). Originally from Long Beach, California, he attends Iowa State University, where he is majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in NDI.

Luke was inspired to pursue engineering by his grandfather, a design engineer who worked on aerospace programs similar to those Luke is now contributing to at Janicki.

In his role, Luke works closely with NDI technicians and engineers to define and implement tests that detect material conditions and flaws that could otherwise lead to catastrophic failure in parts. These evaluations are performed in a way that preserves the future usefulness of the object or material. In short, NDI enables inspection and measurement without causing damage.

Luke’s days typically begin on the production floor alongside a technician conducting inspections. Later, he transitions to tasks such as designing a fixture, documenting inspection processes, or adding NDI-related resources to Janicki’s internal site.

His favorite part of the internship so far has been seeing parts transform from start to finish. He also appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with Janicki’s NDI technicians, citing their drive, diligence and attention to detail.

One of Luke’s projects this summer involved designing a fixture to help rotate a part, which helped reduce both labor and time during a specific process. He said he was impressed, and at times, almost overwhelmed by the level of detail involved in every part.

His advice for future interns is simple: talk to as many people as possible.

Back at Iowa State, Luke serves as a teaching assistant for mechanics and manufacturing courses, contributes to NDI research, works on the university’s Prism Solar Car team and participates in intramural sports.

Outside of the lab and classroom, he enjoys biking, swimming and attending outdoor concerts. While in Washington this summer, he completed the Lake Whatcom sprint triathlon. Luke says his friends would describe him as lively, personable and confident.

Looking ahead, he’s excited to graduate, explore both professional and personal goals, and maybe take on another triathlon.

Written by Avery, 2025 Human Resources Intern

Are you interested in becoming a Janicki intern? Visit our Internships page for more information.

Intern Stories: Quinn, 2025 Engineering Intern

Quinn is one of Janicki’s engineering interns for the summer of 2025, working with the space team. She is currently pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at Washington State University. Originally from Camano Island, Washington, Quinn has long been familiar with Janicki through her father and uncle, who both have worked at the company.

Last summer, she interned at Sedron Technologies, Janicki’s sister company, where she worked as a supply chain intern. That role focused more on the business side of engineering and introduced her to the logistics and planning aspects of the field. This summer, her internship at Janicki has provided more technical and hands-on engineering experience.

Quinn began her internship on the production floor to gain a deeper understanding of the processes and components used in manufacturing. Since then, she has worked on multiple projects for the space team. One of her key assignments involves designing and testing a fixture for a rocket, with a focus on pressure resistance and resolving structural issues such as bridges and wrinkles in the part.

Her favorite aspect of the internship has been the level of independence and responsibility she has been entrusted with. She said the challenges have helped her grow both technically and professionally. Engineering has always felt like a natural fit for Quinn. With a design-oriented family—her father is an engineer and her mother an architect—she grew up surrounded by problem-solving and creativity. She has always excelled at math and enjoys the clarity of having one correct answer.
The biggest surprise for Quinn this summer was discovering the complexity of the manufacturing process.

“Making parts is one thing,” she said. “Making them so that they can be machined is a completely different challenge.

She also emphasized the importance of understanding non-engineering aspects of a project, including planning and budgeting. Her advice for future interns: Ask questions frequently and come in with a basic understanding of composite materials.

Looking ahead, Quinn hopes to graduate, begin her career in engineering and build a healthy work-life balance that supports both her career and personal goals.

Written by Avery, 2025 Human Resources Intern

Are you interested in becoming a Janicki intern? Visit our Internships page for more information.

Intern Stories: Rachel, 2025 Engineering Intern

Rachel is one of Janicki’s engineering interns for the summer of 2025. Originally from Bothell, Washington, she is entering her senior year at Purdue University in Indiana, where she is majoring in mechanical engineering.

Throughout her internship, Rachel has worked in several areas at Janicki, including the mills, the machine shop and with the research and development team. One of her favorite experiences has been learning to operate a lathe. She has contributed to R&D efforts by helping adapt new materials for use in low-production-rate molds.

One thing that surprised Rachel during her internship was the complexity of Janicki’s operations. She noted that even with an engineering degree, there is still much to learn, especially in areas such as machining and manufacturing that are not covered in depth in academic settings.

Rachel credits her dad as a major influence behind her passion for engineering. From a young age, she recalls building things and being encouraged to use her hands-on skills. She and her dad often worked on woodworking and car projects, which helped spark her interest in mechanical systems.

On campus, Rachel is a member of the Baja SAE team, where she works in the machine shop making parts for an off-road vehicle the team builds from the ground up. That hands-on experience has translated well into her internship this summer.

Outside of the office and classroom, Rachel enjoys attending Purdue football and basketball games, going to the gym and hiking. Her friends describe her as responsible, thoughtful and humorous.

“It’s exciting to know that there will always be more to learn,” Rachel said.

Looking ahead, she is eager to graduate and pursue a career in the defense industry. She also hopes to spend more time enjoying her hobbies and exploring new interests after graduation.

Are you interested in becoming a Janicki intern? Visit our Internships page for more information.

Intern Stories: Hunter, 2025 Summer Engineering Intern

Hunter is a mechanical engineering student at Montana State and is one of Janicki’s 2025 summer engineering interns. Originally, Hunter wanted to be a pilot, but after buying an older car and fixing it up, he realized that he had an interest in mechanical engineering and decided to pursue it at college. He said the more he learns about engineering, the more interesting he finds it.

At Janicki, Hunter’s favorite part is the people and the company’s broad capabilities. He appreciates that Janicki has a hand in so many different markets, making it a dream place to intern for undergraduate students who are figuring out what they like and want to go into in the future. He spoke highly of his team’s support, noting how helpful and open they are when he has questions and when correcting his mistakes.

This summer, Hunter has a handful of projects underway, ranging from writing work orders to designing a clamp to aid in process improvement, creating a part for metrology, and engineering a remote-control device to turn a vacuum on and off.

Back at school, he is the vice president of his school’s motorsports club, which works on a Baja SEA car. This club builds and races an off-road car from the ground up. He said that the process of working on that car was more applicable to his current role as an intern than any other experience he’s had so far. Outside of work and school, Hunter can be found rock climbing, at the gym, reading or skiing.

One thing that surprised him about engineering was the practical role of an engineer. The jump from the classroom to on-the-job engineering was different than he was expecting. Hunter said that it’s more about keeping processes going, making little tweaks, and solving problems rather than theoretical classroom material. He talked about how he’s developing what he calls his engineering “knack.”

Hunter’s advice for future interns?

“You should set expectations and deadlines for yourself.”

He also said that while asking questions is important and something everyone should do, an intern should do their due diligence beforehand and be as prepared as they can be.

Written by Avery, 2025 Summer Human Resources Intern

Are you interested in becoming a Janicki intern? View our Job Openings page for our current open roles.

Employee Stories: Kayla, Project Engineer Lead

A Passion For Engineering

Kayla’s journey into engineering began at a young age, inspired by her father, who operates a family-owned metal fabrication shop. As a child and young adult, Kayla would often accompany him to work, lending a hand and soaking up the skills of the trade.

“At job sites, he would draw on a piece of napkin paper, sketching out what he would go back and weld or build,” Kayla recalls. “Watching my dad bring his vision to life was incredibly inspiring and is what sparked my interest in engineering.”

After graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School, Kayla pursued a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in material science at Washington State University. She was one of four women mechanical engineers in her class, an accomplishment she holds with great pride.

“My advice for young women entering the engineering field would be to work hard and never doubt your place. Your dedication will earn you the success you deserve,” states Kayla.

From Intern to Full-Time Engineer

During the summer between her junior and senior years, Kayla returned to Skagit County and applied for an internship at Janicki. Familiar with the locally based company, she was excited to join the industrial team, which tackles diverse projects across various industries, from energy to transportation, architecture and marine applications.

“I really loved my internship,” Kayla reflects. “I enjoyed working on the industrial team because of the variety of projects.”

Six months after graduating, Kayla was offered a full-time position as a project engineer at Janicki. She started out working on a transportation project, managing schedules and mold fabrication for a composite bus. Kayla valued the opportunity to oversee every stage of the project from start to finish.

“As a project engineer at Janicki, you get to see our products evolve from initial concepts to final delivery,” she shares. “Many engineers don’t get that experience, which makes Janicki truly unique.”

Creating Unique Solutions

Among her many projects, Kayla particularly enjoyed working on large-scale composite artwork panels for the Bay Area Rapid Transportation (BART) system. These panels, made from infused fiberglass reinforced plastic and decorated with 2-tone gel coat artwork patterns, now hang from the ceilings of subway entrances around San Francisco.

“I take great pride in knowing that I helped engineer those panels and that they are enjoyed by many people daily,” Kayla says.

Life Beyond Engineering

Outside of work, Kayla embraces the outdoors, often found hunting, fishing, or spending time with her dogs and husband, Mike. Before starting college, she competed in professional rodeo and barrel racing, traveling across the western United States each summer. She still enjoys spending time with horses and is grateful for a career that supports her diverse passions.

We’re always on the lookout for talented engineers. Interested in joining our growing team? Apply on our Job Openings page.

Employee Stories: Madison, Project Engineer

Madison was at a Montana State University career fair when she first learned about Janicki. At the time, she was pursuing her master’s in mechanical engineering and looking for jobs to transition to after school. She spoke with a few Janicki employees at the booth and decided our variety of aerospace work sounded interesting, so she applied. A few weeks later, she had an interview and Janicki offered her a project engineer role. She accepted and relocated to Washington for the job in 2023.

Madison’s daily responsibilities involve using CAD software to design aerospace tooling projects. She enjoys the freedom to select how she manages her tasks and works on several projects simultaneously. Madison aspires to expand her role into leading projects from design to delivery.

“What I love most about engineering is that it combines creativity with mathematics to solve problems,” says Madison. “I enjoy that my role offers endless opportunities for the future.”

Madison’s trajectory into engineering wasn’t an initial certainty. Initially poised for a different stage, she once harbored dreams of a musical degree in choral studies. But the pull of mathematics and an enduring fascination with space beckoned her towards a new frontier—one where the sky wasn’t the limit but the starting point.

“In high school and through my undergrad years, I was captivated by the idea of becoming an astronaut,” Madison shares. “I still would love to do it.”

Beyond the rigors of her professional life, Madison is a tapestry of talents and interests. She enjoys sewing and has made her own clothing. Madison has played ice hockey since childhood and was even a member of her grad school’s D1 team! She also loves the outdoors and is an enthusiastic skier. She looks forward to hitting the slopes in Washington this coming winter.

We are thrilled to see Madison grow in her role, explore Washington, and continue to shoot for the stars. She may become the first astronaut to work at Janicki!

We are always on the lookout for talented engineers. Please visit our Job Openings page for more information on our available roles.

Day in the Life: Project Engineering

Have you ever wondered what being a Project Engineer at Janicki is like?

In this video, we take you behind the scenes to see what a typical day looks like for our marine project engineers working on the Saildrone Voyager program.

Are you interested in a career in engineering? View our Job Openings page for our current open roles.