Performance Testing Intern

About Us:

We are more than just chainsaws, blowers, and trimmers. We have a long-standing tradition of hiring diverse, talented people who help make STIHL a successful, world-class brand. Since revolutionizing the forestry industry in Germany with the first electric chainsaw in 1926, the STIHL name has remained synonymous with outstanding innovation, high-quality products, and comprehensive services.

As part of our internship program, students will have the opportunity to:

• Gain hands-on, real-world experience within a leading industry, working on meaningful projects that contribute to day-to-day operations and long-term initiatives
• Volunteer to assist with company events such as the Family Picnic, Employee Summit, Manufacturing Technology Summer Camp, and other events as needed.
• Complete a final presentation outlining their internship experience, which may be presented to their direct supervisor and colleagues.
• Gain hands-on exposure to projects, team collaboration, and professional development opportunities designed to prepare them for future careers.
• Participate in learning sessions, networking opportunities, and community-building activities across the organization.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Join us for an exciting summer!  We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Trimmer Line Plant team as a Trimmer Line Intern.

As a Trimmer Line Intern, you will be exposed to hands-on product testing, performance analysis, and supplier evaluation within STIHL’s product development environment. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to real-world testing initiatives that support data-driven decision-making and continuous product improvement.

In this role, you will assist in the development and refinement of trimmer line performance measurement equipment used to evaluate noise levels, cutting efficiency, and durability across STIHL and competitor products. You will also support a review of production equipment sourced by a current vendor by researching and evaluating alternative suppliers, comparing technical capabilities and cost considerations, and helping develop recommendations that support quality, reliability, and long-term sourcing strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development and refinement of trimmer line performance measurement equipment
• Support testing activities to evaluate trimmer line noise levels, cutting efficiency, and durability
• Collect, organize, and analyze performance data from STIHL and competitor trimmer line products
• Help document testing procedures, results, and improvement recommendations
• Collaborate with engineering and product development teams to support data-driven product improvement
• Support evaluation of production equipment supplied by a current vendor
• Research and identify alternative suppliers for testing or production equipment
• Compare supplier technical capabilities, quality standards, and cost considerations
• Assist in developing recommendations that support long-term sourcing, reliability, and performance goals

Internship Goals: 

• Design mechanical and electrical systems that can measure performance metrics of STIHL products.
• Develop standardized testing procedures to measure performance metrics of STIHL products.
• Collaborate with industrial suppliers to source required components that meet or exceed required performance values.

Specifications

Candidate Perferences

Academic Year: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior

Area of Study: Mechanical Engineering

Software Experience: SolidWorks, Microsoft Excel

Additional Information:

Work Hours: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Department: Trimmer Line
Compensation: $20/hr