Robotics Intern - Prototyping And Research Operations

Robotics Intern - Prototyping and Research Operations

At Toyota Research Institute (TRI), we're on a mission to improve the quality of human life. We're developing new tools and capabilities to amplify the human experience. To lead this transformative shift in mobility, we've built a world-class team in Automated Driving, Energy & Materials, Human-Centered AI, Human Interactive Driving, Large Behavior Models, and Robotics.

This is a summer 2026 paid 12-week internship opportunity. Please note that this internship will be a hybrid in-office role.

The Team

The Prototyping and Research Operations (PROps) team supports and operationalizes TRI's robotics research to succeed at scale in laboratory and deployment environments. We work across engineering and operations disciplines to develop robot hardware and testing setups, as well as operate and deploy robotic research systems to collect data for researchers. Our team administers the two prototyping laboratories within TRI and uses those facilities to prototype research hardware.

The Internship

The intern who joins our team will have the opportunity to contribute to the work of our various research support projects and the daily tasks that keep our researchers productive by:

• Maintaining and improving the lab: This will include working with the lab manager on organizational tasks, fulfilling fabrication requests, maintaining and fixing the manufacturing equipment and robot systems, and improving lab workflow and tooling, allowing for more efficient use of the lab space.
• Supporting our operations projects: This will require our intern to collaborate with Research Operations Engineers to design and coordinate events, improve data collection processes, and maintain testing and deployment documentation to support the research and engineering teams.

Qualifications

• Engineering, Robotics, or Computer Science student (undergrad junior or senior, or a master's student).
• Driven to learn new skills and become adept at new systems, processes, and tools.
• Experience with rapid prototyping tools (3D printers, laser cutters, hand tools, etc.) and time spent in a lab environment designing, prototyping, and manufacturing components and assemblies.
• Experience in creative and novel mechanical, electrical, or software design work and employing rapid prototyping techniques to improve your iterative design process.
• A safety-first mentality.
• Familiarity with UNIX/Linux systems.
• Experience executing and summarizing system tests and results.

Bonus Qualifications

• Electronic assembly skills like crimping, soldering, and wire routing.
• Experience with large-scale data collection efforts.
• Computer building/commissioning skills, such as GPU, Operating System, or power supply installation.
• Familiarity with CAD (preferably OnShape) software.
• Basic machining skills on a lathe or mill.
• Experience designing for small-scale contract manufacturing and assembly.
• Understand software development processes and the tooling required to enact them, such as version control (e.g., Git) and CI/CD (e.g., Jenkins).
• Working knowledge of Asana and Gsuite.
• Demonstrable communication skills, written and verbal, including utilization of design documents and systems drawings.

Please link your portfolio or include a list of projects you've worked on that exemplify your relevant skills for this position.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $40 and $58/hour for Massachusetts-based roles. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including, but not limited to, business or organizational needs, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Note that TRI offers a generous benefits package (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave) and an annual cash bonus structure. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

TRI is fueled by a diverse and inclusive community of people with unique backgrounds, education and life experiences. We are dedicated to fostering an innovative and collaborative environment by living the values that are an essential part of our culture. We believe diversity makes us stronger and are proud to provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all, without regard to an applicant's race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, religion, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state or local laws. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.