Mechanical Engineering Intern

About the role

Rift Innovations Lab is seeking a paid Mechanical Engineering Intern to join its Nairobi team. You will help design, prototype, and support the manufacturing of mechanical components for electric vehicles and electric agricultural tools, gaining hands‑on experience across mobility, agri‑logistics, and clean energy.

Key responsibilities

• Brainstorm and sketch new concepts with customers and field staff.
• Build low‑resolution prototypes using wood, cardboard, plastic, etc., before moving to CAD.
• Develop mechanical components such as chassis, drivetrain parts, and agricultural tool parts.
• Collaborate with fabricators and machinists to create “looks like,” “feels like,” and “works like” prototypes.
• Test and refine prototypes, performing stress, efficiency, heat‑dissipation, vibration, shock, safety, and durability analyses.
• Translate successful prototypes into detailed 3D models and engineering drawings.
• Assist in industrialisation, optimizing parts for mass production and assembly.
• Collect performance data in the field and maintain technical documentation.

Required profile

• Enthusiastic about building mechanical systems for mobility, agri‑logistics, and clean energy.

Required skills

• Mechanical design and prototyping.
• CAD/3D modelling software.
• Hand sketching and storyboarding.
• Performance testing (stress, heat, vibration, shock).
• Data collection and technical documentation.
• Collaboration with fabricators, machinists, and suppliers.

What we offer

• Paid internship.