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.