Systems Engineering Intern

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and understand system-level requirements and how they flow down to motors, drives, controls, and mechanical subsystems
• Support root cause analysis of field issues by evaluating system behavior across operating conditions, interfaces, and use cases
• Identify and document system interactions and failure modes using structured methods (e.g., DFMEA, fault trees, causal analysis)
• Evaluate potential corrective actions and design trade-offs, considering performance, robustness, risk, and user impact
• Assist in defining and executing system verification and validation activities, including lab testing and field correlation
• Provide system-focused feedback to improve technical documentation, manuals, and technical bulletins
• Communicate findings in a clear, structured systems-engineering format to field engineers and cross-functional teams

• Configure and evaluate VFD–motor–pump system behavior across different operating scenarios
• Analyze control system behavior (e.g., stability, response, limits) in the context of overall system performance
• Use lab testing to validate hypotheses about system interactions, not just component functionality
• Support integration and system debug efforts that span controls, electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic domains

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

• Pursuing a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, or senior standing in Electrical, Mechanical, Controls Engineering, or a related field with strong systems emphasis
• Solid understanding of systems engineering concepts, including: 
  • Requirements definition and flow-down
  • System interfaces and integration
  • Failure and risk analysis (e.g., DFMEA)
  • Verification and validation
  • Use Case development
• Strong analytical and system-level debugging skills
• Understanding of control system principles, including PID concepts
• Ability to clearly document and communicate system behavior and trade-offs

• Experience with CODESYS-based controls development, including C and ladder logic programming
• Proficiency with MATLAB and/or Python for system modeling, data analysis, or test result evaluation
• Coursework or experience with electromechanical systems, including VFDs, motors, or pump systems
• Familiarity with systems engineering methods, including requirements flow-down, failure analysis, and risk assessment (e.g., DFMEA)
• Experience translating lab and field data into system-level insights and design recommendations

• Hands-on experience applying systems engineering theory to real-world products
• Exposure to how system-level decisions impact performance, reliability, and field success
• Experience working across disciplines to resolve complex, multi-domain issues
• Opportunity to contribute to products used in demanding real-world applications at Franklin Electric

Franklin Electric Intern Program