COMPANY OVERVIEW

NextFlex, America’s Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing Innovation Institute, is a public-private partnership and non-profit with the mission of advancing the capabilities of U.S. manufacturing in the field of Hybrid Electronics (HE). NextFlex was designed to facilitate the development of enabling manufacturing technologies and knowledge sharing with institute members and the U.S. Government. Our work enables the next generation electronics and packaging for government and commercial applications for medical, wearable, asset monitoring, structural health monitoring, soft robotics, integrated array antennas, automotive, agricultural technology applications, among other applications.

POSITION SUMMARY

A HE Fab/Engineering intern will work hands-on with NextFlex’s multidisciplinary Fabrication and Engineering teams to execute a summer-long project. The intern will be exposed to the abundance of NextFlex’s HE print, assembly, and testing tools, and will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience designing for, operating, and evaluating the output for several of these machines. Ultimately, a summer intern with NextFlex can expect integration into a diverse, creative, and collaborative fabrication and engineering team and will receive broad exposure to the United States HE space.

INTERNSHIP DETAILS

• Type: Part-Time Internship
• Position Type: On-Site
• Location: San Jose, CA
• Duration: Anticipated May – August 2025 (start & end dates can be flexible based on candidate’s schedule)
• Hours:  Anticipated hours are 20-30 hours per week (hours can be flexible based on candidate’s schedule)
• Reports to: Engineering & Fab Team Member (Fab Eng, EE, or ME)
• FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
• Visa Sponsorship Eligibility: No

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Pursue a summer project incorporating several facets of NextFlex’s fabrication and/or engineering capabilities.
• Perform HE fabrication tasks including but not limited to print, assembly, and testing. This could include operation of screen printers, inkjet printers, aerosol jet printers, direct ink write printers and laser systems, as well as assembly, testing and observation tools.
• Develop schematic and layout optimized for HE manufacturing processes.
• Perform design-for-manufacturing (DFM) tasks, including CAD artwork panelization, toolpath generation, and design of necessary fixtures and accessories.
• Program robots, microcontrollers and other fab support devices or products.
• Provide creative insight to broaden or improve the standard NextFlex fabrication procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)

Pursuing, or interest in pursuing, a degree or certificate in engineering, science or a HE manufacturing relevant discipline.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)

Interest or experience in any of the following areas:

• Electronics Design or Manufacturing (Flexible or Rigid)
• Additive Manufacturing
• HE Textile Integration
• Machine Learning/AI
• Automation
• Distributed Sensing
• Experience performing manufacturing duties in a cleanroom environment
• Experience in CAD
• Exposure to Programming (Robots, Controllers, etc.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

The employee will be expected to operate in a cleanroom environment regularly. This will involve utilization of proper PPE including a smock, hair net, face mask, gloves, and safety glasses. Work in a cleanroom environment may expose the employee to various harms including elevated noise levels, proximity to controlled chemicals, UV light, lasers, pinch points, burns, etc. All NextFlex employees are expected to abide by stated safety protocols and prudently communicate any safety concerns if such arise.

WORK AUTHORIZATION / REQUIREMENTS

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be one of the following: a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Note: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER / VETERANS / DISABLED

NextFlex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.