Mechanical Engineer Co-Op - Summer + Fall 2026

Position:          Mechanical Engineer Co-Op

Reports to:      Engineering Supervisor

*Summer-Fall Semester Opportunity*

Position Overview

The mechanical engineering Co-Op will work within the R&D department. This role will involve assisting with technical tasks related to the planning, design, validation, manufacturing, and field support of products from concept to production implementation. The Co-Op will collaborate with various teams within the company to contribute to the creation of innovative mechanical designs and solutions for customers.

Company Overview

Wanzl North America’s (WNA) vision is to be a leading entrepreneurial player in terms of market share, agility, and game-changing solutions.  WNA is a solution provider, creating value along the supply chain of our customers, from the online purchase to the delivery to their customers. 

WNA, which includes the Technibilt and Cari-All brands, headquartered in Newton, North Carolina.  With nearly 500 employees and 175 MUSD of sales, WNA focuses on the retail and distribution market segments with marquee customers such as Walmart, Amazon, and the majority of large grocers and retailers.

In addition to being the largest manufacturer of shopping carts in North America, WNA has three (3) additional main product segments as well as a Service business, providing turnkey solutions for customer guidance (Access Systems) and Shelving & Fixtures, as well as Material Handling/Rolling Stock products. Additionally, WNA is active in building a “digital” business line with products for shopping cart containment, smart exit gate technology, and solutions for autonomous and/or semi-autonomous retail stores.

WNA is part of the Wanzl group, headquartered in Germany, and has 12 plants in 8 countries, providing comprehensive, solutions-driven service and expert knowledge of local markets for customers across the globe through their 360° service.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the engineering team in developing products and solutions
• Assist in creating 3D models, 2D drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs)
• Conduct data analysis, design of experiments (DOE), and product verification/validation testing
• Participate in value analysis, cost reduction, and quality improvement efforts

Skills and Experience:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Practical hands-on work in mechanical design or product development projects.
• Experience with SolidWorks preferred.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, including sheet metal forming, machining, injection molding, and 3D printing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.