INTERNSHIP DETAILS

CONTROLS ENGINEER CO-OP

CompanyProgressive Surface
LocationGrand Rapids
Work ModeOn Site
PostedSeptember 15, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The co-op will assist control engineers in designing hardware and software for custom machine control systems. Responsibilities also include setting up process monitoring software, creating service manuals, and participating in electrical assembly and machine operation.
Internship Type
full time
Company Size
130
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
Since 1967, Progressive has been a global leader in automated surface treatment machinery and closed-loop process controls for: • shot peening • grit blasting • thermal spray coating • ultra-high pressure waterjet cleaning At Progressive Surface®, our ProciseProcess® is your guarantee of success. We apply the Procise Process® to the design, manufacture, and servicing of custom and standard solutions for demanding industries such as: • aerospace • energy • medical • military • general manufacturing Progressive Surface® has installed more than 1,300 machines in more than 33 countries. Manufacturing takes place at Progressive Surface's 100,000+ sq ft headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
About the Role

Description

Progressive Surface designs and manufactures surface treatment machinery for companies in the aerospace, automotive, electronics, printing & general manufacturing industries.


As a Co – op at Progressive you will learn from & work alongside Control Engineers to design both the hardware & software of various custom machine control systems. You will learn about the components used within control systems & to read electrical schematics. You will also learn to use AutoCAD Electrical to allow you to assist engineers with hardware designs.


Progressive uses programmable logic controllers (PLC), computerized numeric controllers (CNC) and robot controllers to control the machines we build. During the second and third semesters, you will be introduced to software design by working with Control Engineers on selected projects. Other duties are setting up the PC that runs our proprietary process monitoring software (PRIMS) & helping with the creation of service manuals.


To round out your experience, you will spend time with our Electrical Assembly Department actually wiring the machines & our Customer Service Department to learn more about machine operation. Co-op students must demonstrate integrity in all working relationships & must communicate & cooperate with all other departments in the organization. 

Requirements

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


1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 


2. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 


3. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Key Skills
Control SystemsHardware DesignSoftware DesignAutoCAD ElectricalPLCCNCRobot ControllersElectrical SchematicsProcess MonitoringMachine WiringTechnical DocumentationCommunicationIntegrity
Categories
EngineeringManufacturingTechnology