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Summer 2025 Engineering Internship Program

2025 Engineering Internship Overview

This summer, Janicki welcomed more than 40 engineering interns from universities across the country for a 10- to 12-week program. Engineering interns, typically further along in their degrees and with some hands-on experience, were integrated directly into our engineering teams. They took on individual projects, collaborated with seasoned engineers, and presented their work to colleagues before the end of the summer. Each experience was tailored to the intern’s interests and skill set, giving them the freedom to explore and contribute in meaningful ways.

With summer coming to a close, it is time to reflect on the many events Washington-based interns also had the opportunity to experience. The goal of these activities was to provide interns with career insights, meaningful connections, and a deeper look at the Janicki community.

Coffee and Donuts Kickoff

In June, Janicki launched the engineering internship program with a Coffee and Donut event. This was the first time the full engineering intern cohort came together, with Washington interns attending in person and Utah interns joining online. The event included a panel of three Janicki engineers, Isabel, Zach and Hayden, who all started as summer interns. Interns had a chance to connect with professionals who once shared their experience while enjoying some breakfast treats.

Each panelist shared their personal and professional journeys before opening the floor to questions. Many questions focused on work-life balance, tips for working with different leadership styles, and transitioning from student to workforce. Hayden, known as Janicki’s “OG intern,” has been with the company full-time for more than five years. His standout advice, “Use your time off well! Get out there and explore your hobbies,” set the tone for the summer. Interns were reminded that their time at Janicki is more than a summer job; it is a launching pad.

Executive Meet and Greet

In mid-July, Janicki hosted its second summer intern event: the Executive Meet and Greet. Three members of the executive team, Kevin, Robbie, and Mike, sat down with the engineering interns to share their journeys, swap experiences, and answer questions. Each vice president shared their personal background, why they pursued engineering, how they navigated career opportunities, and how they ultimately arrived at Janicki in their current roles.

Intern questions ranged from navigating large corporate environments versus smaller companies to career mistakes and transitioning from engineering to management. Mike spoke about “inflection points” in his career, key moments when seizing an opportunity, gaining a new skill, or meeting the right person significantly changed his trajectory. Robbie emphasized the importance of early effort and making the most of free time to maintain work-life balance. Kevin reflected on his lifelong passion for aviation, advising interns, “Find something that gets you to jump out of bed in the morning.”

The Executive Meet and Greet gave interns rare access to decades of industry experience and practical career advice. Through honest reflections and insights, Janicki’s executives inspired interns to think boldly about their own career paths.

Intern Picnic and Project Presentations

At the end of July, Janicki held the final intern event of the summer, the Intern Picnic. This event allowed interns to mingle, enjoy a meal, and share their summer experiences, projects, and insights. Four interns were selected to present their work.

Hunter highlighted process improvements, program support, and other contributions.
Rachel shared her work on streamlining the tool assembly process and creating a tool assembly template request form. She also described a personal project with the research and development team, integrating new materials to create a carbon-fiber kiddie pool that fits in the back of a station wagon.
Gabe and Luke concluded with a joint presentation on nondestructive testing. Luke gave an overview of the method and its application at Janicki, while Gabe detailed a fixture they designed to simplify part inspection.

To close the afternoon, Neil, one of Janicki’s vice presidents, spoke about his journey, from running his own snowboard manufacturing business in college to various experiences before joining Janicki. He emphasized that he values young engineers who go above and beyond and possess hands-on mechanical skills developed through practical experience.

Utah interns also shared their projects and experiences with company leaders during a final presentation. Janie highlighted the range of aerospace-related projects she contributed to as part of the metallics team.

Building Connections Beyond the Workplace

Beyond projects and presentations, the 2025 intern class built strong social connections throughout the summer. Hikes, camping trips, and pizza nights showcased the camaraderie formed in a short time. These events highlighted the interns’ contributions and helped bridge the gap with the corporate environment, fostering meaningful connections.

As they return to their campuses this fall, engineering interns leave Janicki with new skills, a deeper understanding of the industry, and lasting friendships, ready to take the next step in their careers.

Written by Avery, 2025 Human Resources Intern

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

Intern Stories: Sascha, 2025 Production Intern

Sascha is entering her third year as a mechanical engineering student at the University of Idaho and is one of Janicki’s production interns for summer 2025. She comes from a long line of engineers and is the 3rd generation in her family to attend the university’s College of Engineering.

Sascha credits her father, an engineering project manager in Idaho, as her biggest engineering role model. On campus, she serves as a student ambassador for the College of Engineering. In that role, she visits K-12 classrooms, promotes STEM education and helps host outreach events for young students.

At Janicki, Sascha works on the production floor, specifically in the mills. She supports technicians by clamping and unclamping parts, assisting with metrology before and after milling, and performing manual measurements on components.

Her favorite part of the internship has been seeing the wide variety of processes and projects taking place at Janicki. Sascha noted that she was surprised by how integrated and dynamic the engineers are with the production floor, speaking on how closely they stay involved with the processes behind the designs they create.

Outside of work and school, Sascha runs her university’s lacrosse club, enjoys working out and plays the cello.

Her advice for future production interns:

“Talk to everyone! Don’t be afraid to go up, introduce yourself and shake hands.”

Her goals after college include working in aerospace, starting a family and continuing to grow in the 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: 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: Jordyn, 2025 Production Intern

Jordyn is one of Janicki’s production interns for the summer of 2025. Originally from the Skagit Valley, she is entering her senior year at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona, where she is studying mechanical engineering with a focus on the propulsion track and a minor in mathematics. Outside the classroom, she competes on the university’s basketball team and enjoys baking. Jordyn’s interest in engineering stems from her early strengths in math and science.

During her internship, Jordyn’s day-to-day work varies but primarily involves working on aircraft panels. She assists with drilling, sanding and other hands-on tasks. Jordyn values the collaborative environment at Janicki, noting that everyone she works with shares the same goals, which helps her stay grounded and purposeful in her work.

One of her favorite aspects of the internship has been the encouragement from her mentor to explore different buildings and projects. That support has given her the freedom to expand her understanding beyond her immediate responsibilities.

What she appreciates most about her current role is that it keeps her active and physically engaged while offering continuous learning. Working on the production floor has given her direct insight into the practical side of engineering, reinforcing what she has learned in the classroom

One of the biggest surprises for Jordyn has been the shift from the theoretical nature of academic work to the fast-paced, hands-on demands of the industry. While she can recognize some parallels between school and work, she said that applying skills in real time is a completely different experience and learning process.

Her advice for future interns:

“Ask questions. Lean into the role of an intern and learn as much as you can.”

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.

“I’m grateful for the amazing opportunity this past summer at Janicki,” said Ben in a LinkedIn post. “Excited to return next year and continue learning from such a great group of people.”

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: Shayne, NC Programmer

Gaining Perspective

While working through his senior year at Concrete High School, Shayne was introduced to Janicki by his superintendent. When he learned about Janicki’s internship program for local high school students, he landed a part-time role as a machine shop helper.

As a shop helper, his tasks were straightforward but important: cleaning the machine shop and building tools. It was his first introduction to the precision and discipline of manufacturing work. At the same time, he balanced schoolwork and played on the high school baseball team.

After graduation, Shayne began working full time with Janicki. But like many young professionals, he felt the pull to explore. He left for a short time, trying out jobs in the lumber and tree service industries. The experience gave him perspective, and after a few months, he decided to return to Janicki.

A Journey Through the Machine Shop

Since rejoining the company in 2019, he’s been continuously building his career. Shayne began operating a Doosan mill. He focused on production-run metal parts, gaining hands-on experience with tight tolerances, materials and toolpaths. That deep exposure gave him insight into both the capabilities and challenges of machining complex components.

After several years of sharpening his skills, he made a career change into NC programming.

“It seemed interesting and was a good move for the company to have me learn a new skill,” Shayne said.

Now, he spends his days programming using NX software to produce the code that guides Janicki’s machining processes. His transition from machinist to programmer gives him a unique edge.

“Moving from an experienced machinist position to a programmer is relatively unique,” he said. “Some programmers have never run a machine in their life, and that makes it difficult to know what the operator prefers or needs when they get a program sent to the machine.”

Because he understands how the work gets done on the floor, he writes programs with the operator in mind, leading to better results, fewer revisions and more efficient operations.

Pride in the Product

Shayne is especially proud of the parts he’s helped build for large-scale aerospace and defense programs.

“Any part that comes off the machine is kind of like a trophy, it’s an awesome feeling that you made a part for some really interesting programs.”

He’s worked on complex projects that demand closed corners and tight tolerances. These types of parts push the limits of both programming and the machines, and that’s what Shayne enjoys most.

“Seeing my work get put together into a final product is really amazing.”

No Mountain High Enough

Outside of work, Shayne spends time in the mountains. He enjoys hiking and climbing to high-elevation lakes throughout the North Cascades, where he hunts, fishes and forages.

“If it came down to it, I would have the skills to survive on my own off the land completely.”

He also finds joy in gardening and spending time with his family, especially his almost 2-year-old daughter, who often joins him in a backpack on his many outdoor adventures.

From sweeping the shop floor to programming mission-critical components, Shayne’s journey is a testament to growth, grit and hands-on experience. At Janicki, stories like his remind us that there are limitless opportunities for growth.

Interested in a machinist or NC programming role? Visit our Job Openings page.