Mechanical Engineering Intern
Location: Cambridge, MA
Duration: Spring or Summer 2027 (10+ weeks)
About OrthoIQ
OrthoIQ is an MIT-founded medical technology startup developing intelligent surgical tools for orthopedic procedures. Our systems provide real-time sensing and feedback to surgeons, helping improve implant fixation, reduce complications, and improve surgical outcomes.
We are building a new class of smart orthopedic instrumentation, combining mechanical systems, sensing, and data to bring intelligence into the operating room.
Role Overview
We are seeking a Mechanical Engineering Intern to help design and prototype surgical instrumentation.
You will work on the mechanical systems behind our smart orthopedic tools, including structural components, mechanisms, and integration with sensing systems. Interns will be responsible for independently driving prototype designs and testing them in close collaboration with our engineering team.
Responsibilities
Dynamic/impact mechanism design, including shock, vibration, fatigue, and repeated high-cycle loading
Thermal analysis and thermal management for motors, actuators, batteries, and enclosed systems
Ingress protection / sealing design for fluids, debris, and cleaning environments
Precision mechanical design: tolerance analysis, GD&T, fits, and tolerance stack-ups
Motor/actuator and drivetrain integration into compact electromechanical assemblies
DFM/DFA for machined, molded, and production-scale components
Hands-on prototyping, test fixture design, failure analysis, and design iteration
Desired Qualifications
Strong machine design background: mechanisms, linkages, cams, bearings, shafts, and power transmission
Pursuing or earned a BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering, robotics, or related discipline
Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks, Fusion, or similar)
Experience with prototyping, machining, and design for manufacturing
Coursework or experience in dynamics, vibrations, or impact mechanics/calculations
Experience building test jigs and analyzing data
Comfortable working independently in a startup environment
Experience with medical devices, surgical power tools, or other rugged handheld electromechanical products preferred
What You'll Gain
Experience designing surgical instruments and medical devices
Exposure to early-stage product development
Hands-on prototyping and testing
Direct impact on a product aimed at improving surgical outcomes
Application:
Please apply through Handshake here for Spring and Summer 2027. A portfolio (doesn’t have to be polished, can even be a slide deck!) is required. We want to see pictures of what you’ve built!
What you’ll work on
Build the next generation of surgical hammers
Our main product is an orthopedic automatic hammer with an integrated sensor that tells the surgeon when to stop hammering. Right now they judge when to stop hammering based on feel, but overhammering can cause bone fractures and underhammering causes the implant to loosen over time.
Interns will help solve real engineering challenges in mechanism design, prototyping, component selection, thermal management, and reducing weight and recoil.
Help us integrate sensing/controls and prove reliability
We’re integrating sensors to measure what happens during each impact and exploring whether those signals can identify when an implant has reached stable fixation. Interns may build test rigs and data-acquisition systems, run experiments, and analyze mechanical and sensor data.
Turn a prototype into a medical device
Surgical devices have to work reliably across different implants, bone conditions, loads, and repeated use. Our device must be manufacturable, sterilizable, reliable, serviceable, and intuitive to use in the operating room.
Interns will contribute to DFM/DFA, reliability and verification testing, design iteration, and the engineering decisions required to move from prototype to production.
