INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Powertrain Vehicle Software and Efficiency Intern

CompanyDaimler Truck
LocationPortland
Work ModeOn Site
PostedOctober 7, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The intern will perform vehicle integration validation for software features and conduct testing to assess vehicle efficiency. They will also develop instrumentation components and analyze performance data to support continuous improvement efforts.
Internship Type
full time
Salary Range
$21 - $29
Company Size
6625
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
Daimler Truck North America, a Daimler Truck AG company, is the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading producer of medium-duty trucks and specialized commercial vehicles. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Daimler Truck North America manufactures, sells and services several renowned commercial vehicle brands including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star Trucks, Thomas Built Buses, and Freightliner Custom Chassis. Through the company’s affiliates, Daimler Truck North America is also a leading provider of heavy-and medium-duty diesel engines and other components. The company’s strategic partners in the North American commercial vehicles market include Daimler Truck Financial, TravelCenters of America and Petro Truck Centers.
About the Role

Inside the Role

Interns will gain knowledge and experience through exciting and real-life learning opportunities. Interns must work in accordance with DTNA’s core values of passion, respect, integrity and discipline. Internship positions can be located at various DTNA locations across the US. We are looking for high performing and motivated individuals in various areas within DTNA organizations. DTNA internships begin each summer in May or June.

Interns in this role may have the opportunity to transition into a full-time position subject to manager evaluations and business availability.

The Product Validation Engineering (PVE) powertrain vehicle software and efficiency team is responsible for sub-system and full vehicle electrical and electronic validation and vehicle level fuel efficiency validation of DTNA products. This includes our Freightliner, Western Star, Medium Duty and Electrical Vehicles platforms. Our validation is conducted in workshops, on the road, and at offsite testing facilities. This group interfaces with many departments in the organization including the Truck Technology, Product Engineering and Vehicle Level Engineering groups.

Your role will focus on supporting validation of feature content for vehicle efficiency across DTNA vehicle platforms including our series products through continuous improvement development efforts. You will be responsible for executing test cases, providing feedback to design and performing root cause analysis as issues are found. In addition, you will support testing efforts, analyze performance data, and contribute to the development of tools and processes that evaluate fuel economy, aerodynamic and powertrain efficiency, and competitive benchmarks.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Salary placement is determined by your anticipated graduation year and ranges between $21 - $29 per hour.

Benefits include:

  • Professional development and networking events, including resume reviews/mock interviews
  • Housing and transportation stipend
  • Employee resource groups
  • Event ticket offering (based on corporate availability)
  • Company social events

What You Drive at DTNA

  • Perform vehicle integration validation for vehicle software features
  • Conduct testing of trucks and systems to assess vehicle efficiency
  • Participate in ongoing continuous improvement activities within the test department
  • Develop vehicle location dashboard to enable easily finding vehicles in the fleet
  • Develop and prototype instrumentation components to optimize and streamline data collection processes
  • Analyze vehicle efficiency test data to draw meaningful conclusions
  • Apply programming expertise and leverage robotics industry hardware for innovative instrumentation solutions
  • Lead and support efforts to foster an inclusive and welcoming workplace culture where everyone belongs

Knowledge You Should Bring

  • Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s program or higher from an accredited college/university OR have recently graduated within 1 year of the position start date (May/June) 
  • Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Solid organizational skills
  • Creative mindset
  • Interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment 

#LI-Hybrid

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)- 

Portland, OR US. Relocation assistance for this position is available when the selected candidate meets eligibility criteria.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

  • This position is not open to Visa sponsorship or to existing Visa holders
  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application
  • Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
  • Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
  • Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
  • EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.

Key Skills
Vehicle integration validationSoftware testingData analysisRoot cause analysisMechanical engineeringElectrical engineeringComputer scienceProgrammingInstrumentationRobotics hardwareCommunication skillsOrganizational skillsTeamworkFuel economy evaluationAerodynamic efficiency
Categories
EngineeringSoftwareTechnologyManufacturingTransportation
Benefits
Professional developmentNetworking eventsResume reviewsMock interviewsHousing stipendTransportation stipendEmployee resource groupsEvent ticket offeringCompany social events