Summer Engineering Student Assistant- Equipment Design Drafting
- University Enterprises
- Sacramento, California
- Part Time
- The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is seeking to hire two (2) Engineering Student Assistants. Under the close supervision of the Division of Equipment, Engineering and Production Design Chief (Senior Equipment Engineer) in a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will assist in the preparation of the Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) models and drawings of components used in the assembly of the Caltrans equipment fleet. The student will learn the principles of equipment design, component selection and specification, systems design, shop processes as they relate to component fabrication, CAD modeling and drafting. The student may gain some exposure to Finite Element Analysis through the work of others. The Student Assistant will learn Solidworks CAD software for creating CAD models, assemblies and drafting, perform research primarily on the internet as needed by other equipment engineers, create burn patterns for cutting out parts and bending them in our Laser and Sheet metal shops, create drawings for assembling components as well as welded assemblies. Research and writing engineering specifications for procurement of components or equipment.
- This position is for SUMMER employment with the possibility of employment being extended into the 2025-2026 school year.
Conditions of Employment
This is a part-time, temporary, non-benefited, student position. Employment in all positions with University Enterprises, Inc. is dependent upon the mutual consent of University Enterprises, Inc. and the employee. This means that either University Enterprises, Inc. or the employee can, at any time, terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause.
Depending on the type of position you are applying for, a pre-employment background check consisting of one or more of the following may be conducted: employment history, professional references, criminal check: educational verification (degree, license, or official transcript) or DMV clearance. Applicants will be required to pass required pre-employment checks to the satisfaction of University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI) and the hiring Agency or Department.
UEI does not allow students to hold more than one UEI Job at a time, or work in more than one account per pay period. UEI employees who are considering leaving their current UEI Student assistant position for a different UEI student assistant position should inform their supervisor in writing and provide at least a weeks notice.
UEI is not a multi-state employer. UEI only employs candidates who live and work in the state of California. If selected for the position you must reside in California and all work must be performed in the state of California throughout the course of employment.
Prerequisites
Must be a college student attending classes during the regular term (fall, spring, and winter, if applicable), at one of the accredited colleges or universities on our affiliation list.
To view our current affiliation list please paste the following URL into your browser:
Students must be enrolled in at least six-semester units or nine quarter units for undergraduate students; four-semester units or six quarter units for graduate students.
Students declared major must match the major(s) listed in the job posting.
Majors/Fields of Study
Engineering (Mechanical preferred)
Work Schedule
F lexible workdays and work hours, Monday Friday, between 8 AM 5 PM. Final work schedule will be determined by the supervisor.
Additional Work Schedule
Student Assistant and Graduate Assistant employees generally work up to 24 hours per workweek (Sunday Saturday) during the academic year and up to 40 hours per workweek during breaks; (winter, spring, and summer).
Minimum Qualifications
- Must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.
- Must complete each term with minimum unit requirements for Undergraduate and Graduate student classifications. Proof will be collected at the end of each Spring and Fall term.
- Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license.
- Ability to:
- Work as part of a diverse team with varying levels of technical, occupational, and academic depth.
- Perform complex mathematical calculations.
- Prepare technical reports and other project related documentation.
- Make appropriate, reasonable, feasible, defensible decisions and recommendations under the direction of the Senior Equipment Engineer or an assigned lead worker.
- Check accuracy of own work and review the work of others.
- Knowledge of Mechanical Engineering principles and their application to mobile equipment, design, manufacturing and maintenance.
- Good personal interaction skills and the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with others in various assignments.
- Knowledge of computer applications for database management, spreadsheets, word processing, computer aided drafting using Solidworks.
- Technical writing skills and communication etiquette is mandatory.
Preferred Qualifications
- Under the amendment to Government Code Section 18220, state agencies shall give preference to a qualified applicant (up to 26 years of age) who is, or has been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, a formerly incarcerated youth, or a victim of human trafficking.
Duties and Responsibilities
- In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will assist in the creation, preparation and updating of 3D CAD models and drawings of components used in the assembly of the Caltrans equipment fleet using guidelines and standards provided.
- In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will learn the principles of equipment design, component selection and specification, systems design, shop processes as they relate to component fabrication, CAD modeling and drafting. The student may gain some exposure to Finite Element Analysis through the work of others.
- In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will research regarding vehicle components rules and regulations.
- In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will learn Solidworks CAD software for creating CAD models, assemblies and drafting.
- In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will create burn patterns for cutting out parts and bending them in the Laser and Sheet metal shops.
- In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will create drawings for assembling components as well as welded assemblies.
- In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will assist in research and writing engineering specifications for procurement of components or equipment.
- In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will assist Equipment Engineers with field work relating to repair, improvement, or design of mobile equipment.
- In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will attend staff and safety meetings.
- In a learning capacity, the Student Assistant will perform administrative duties such as filing, maintaining office and work equipment.
Physical Requirements
Employee may be required to travel to the field to assist Engineers. Other physical requirements include, but are not limited to, climbing stairs, lifting/carrying/moving objects (i.e. files, books, binders, etc.); walking on uneven surfaces, up/down slopes, and adjacent to traffic with or without reasonable accommodation. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and the ability to adjust focus.
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computer workstations, telephones, calculators, copiers, printers, and scanners with or without reasonable accommodation.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office (85%), shop (10%) and field (5%) environments. Field visits will be accompanied.
Worksite office location (off-campus): 3400 R Street, Sacramento CA 95816.
Application Instructions
Please complete all fields of the employment application. Include your educational history in the Educational Experience section and any employment history in the Employment Experience section of our application.
In addition to your resume, please upload your most recent transcripts.
Apply by: July 15, 2025