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Engineering Internship Summer 2027

Woodward · Niles, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a project, in class or on your own, where you designed or built something. What was your part?

What they are checking: Whether they have real hands-on engineering experience and can describe their own contribution.

Woodward makes control systems for aerospace and energy. What interests you about that kind of work?

What they are checking: Whether they have looked into what the company actually builds and have a genuine reason for applying.

Tell me about a time a project didn't go the way you planned. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they adapt and learn when things fail, which is normal in engineering work.

Tell me about a team project where you disagreed with a teammate's approach. How did you work it out?

What they are checking: Whether they can disagree respectfully and reach a decision that moves the work forward.

What would make this internship a success for you?

What they are checking: Whether they have clear goals and see the internship as a path toward full-time work.

What would you do

You're assigned a project and after a week you realize you don't understand what's being asked. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they ask for clarity early instead of spending the summer building the wrong thing.

How would you present your internship project results to engineers and managers at the end of the summer?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain technical work clearly to people with different levels of background.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd troubleshoot a part or process that isn't working the way it should.

What they are checking: Whether they think systematically, testing one cause at a time instead of guessing.

What CAD, programming or analysis tools have you used, and what did you build with them?

What they are checking: Whether their tool skills match the mechanical, manufacturing or software track they are applying for.

Why do you think quality and safety standards are stricter in aerospace than in many other industries?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that failures in flight hardware can cost lives, which shapes every engineering decision.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Woodward from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Woodward.

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards. We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future. Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. Woodward offers a Total Reward package for this Internship position, including: • Estimated pay - Sophomore: $23.00, Junior: $25.00, Senior: $28.00 • Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance (20+ hours per week) • Sick Time Are you ready to make your mark?  If you’re a Mechanical, Operations, Manufacturing, Industrial, Software, or Computer Science major, we have an exciting internship opportunity for you. The purpose of an internship at Woodward is to provide students with the opportunity to gain exposure and “real life” business acumen within the Aerospace and Energy Industry. Our internships also provide students with the opportunity to learn and gain practical experience and to work in areas related to their academic and/or career interests. Gain hands-on experience while working on challenging projects, network with professionals and learn from some of the brightest minds in business. The experience also gives the intern opportunity for potential full-time employment with the company. What you will be doing • Support Aerospace Actuation Systems - Hydraulics Engineering team to evaluate new product introduction and sustaining products, processes, analysis, and designs. • Assist with data analysis, report writing, and supporting engineering with any investigation findings. • Engineering project support, including sponsoring engineering changes, data analysis, and root cause and corrective action. • Assembly and test production support, including control and test stand data collection and troubleshooting, disposition and root cause / corrective action for nonconformances, immediate production response support (Andon/IST). • Student will assist project engineer(s) in the research, development, design, fabrication, and test of electromechanical products for the industrial industry. What We Are Looking For • Effective written and verbal communication skills. • Competent skills in problem solving and trouble-shooting . • Competent in the use of PCs, MS Office Programs and other associated software. • Ability to effectively operate in a team environment. • Effective time management skills. • Solid knowledge of the English language with the ability to speak, read and write along with good listening skills. • Ability to use mechanical CAD tools is a plus – PTC Creo is preferred. • Experience with Lab View programming is a plus. Education or Formal Training Must be at least a sophomore in an accredited College or University program and have an acceptable grade point average. Experience Required No experience required. Previous internship or other working experience, a plus. This information is provided in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and is the company's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation range and benefits offered for this position.  The compensation offered to the successful applicant may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, location, and other job-related reasons. This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).    All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR and EAR, or possess all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State Department and the U.S. Department of Commerce.    ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee. Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.

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