Student Employee

About U. S. Steel Tubular Products U. S. Steel Tubular Products manufactures seamless pipe and premium connections that support energy and industrial customers across the United States.

Position Summary

The Mechatronics Engineering – Co-op is a 2–3 consecutive-term development opportunity designed to provide engineering students with hands-on experience supporting Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), gauging, automation, and manufacturing systems in an industrial environment. The Co-op will work alongside engineering, operations, quality, and maintenance teams to support automated inspection and measurement systems used throughout the manufacturing process.

The position combines elements of mechanical, electrical, controls, instrumentation, and automation engineering. Across consecutive Co-op terms, the student will build technical knowledge, take on increasing responsibility, troubleshoot equipment and process issues, analyze system performance, and support projects that improve safety, quality, reliability, and productivity.

Responsibilities

• Follow all safety requirements and actively support a safe work environment.
• Support NDT, gauging, inspection, and automated measurement systems used within manufacturing operations.
• Work with engineers, technicians, maintenance, quality, and operations employees to troubleshoot equipment and process issues.
• Assist with troubleshooting sensors, instrumentation, control systems, automated equipment, and mechanical or electrical components.
• Support the maintenance, improvement, and reliability of automated inspection and gauging equipment.
• Collect and analyze equipment, process, and measurement data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Assist with equipment testing, calibration support, system validation, and process improvement activities.
• Support root cause analysis for equipment failures, measurement issues, process variation, and recurring system problems.
• Assist with improvements involving PLCs, controls, sensors, instrumentation, machine interfaces, and automated systems.
• Support engineering projects involving new equipment, equipment upgrades, automation improvements, or modifications to existing processes.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, equipment information, procedures, data analysis, and project updates.
• Take on increasingly complex assignments and project ownership as technical knowledge develops across consecutive Co-op terms.
• Present project findings, technical improvements, and recommendations to engineering and plant leadership. Potential Co-op Assignments
• Have the ability to travel domestically between Tubular locations as needed. Assignments may include
• NDT and automated inspection system improvements.
• Gauging and measurement system reliability.
• Sensor and instrumentation troubleshooting.
• PLC and controls-related improvement projects.
• Automated equipment troubleshooting and optimization.
• Measurement and process data analysis.
• Equipment reliability and downtime reduction.
• Root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Equipment testing and system validation.
• Integration or improvement of mechanical, electrical, and automated systems.
• Process monitoring and data collection improvements.
• Development of dashboards or reports to track equipment and process performance.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Ability to participate in a 2–3 consecutive-term Co-op program.
• Strong technical, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Interest in automation, controls, instrumentation, NDT, manufacturing systems, and industrial equipment.
• Basic understanding of mechanical and electrical systems.
• Ability to analyze data and apply engineering principles to real manufacturing and equipment problems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with engineering, maintenance, quality, and operations teams.
• Ability to work onsite at the Fairfield, Alabama facility.
• Authorization to work in the United States.
• Ability to meet plant safety and PPE requirements and work in an industrial manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework or experience involving PLCs, automation, robotics, instrumentation, sensors, controls, or industrial electrical systems.
• Familiarity with mechanical systems, electrical troubleshooting, programmable controls, or automated manufacturing equipment.
• Exposure to NDT, inspection systems, measurement systems, machine vision, or industrial gauging is a plus.
• Previous manufacturing, engineering, laboratory, maintenance, technical, or hands-on project experience.
• Experience with engineering data analysis, programming, or technical problem-solving.
• Strong academic achievement and demonstrated aptitude in engineering coursework.
• Experience participating in engineering design teams, robotics teams, student organizations, research, or technical projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Initiative, curiosity, and a strong interest in automation, manufacturing technology, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced industrial environment. What You Will Gain The Co-op program provides progressively deeper engineering experience across 2–3 consecutive terms, with a focus on the systems and technology used to inspect, measure, control, and improve manufacturing processes. Co-ops will gain hands-on exposure to NDT and gauging equipment, automation, controls, sensors, instrumentation, and industrial systems while working directly with engineering, maintenance, quality, and operations teams. Each term is designed to build on the previous experience, allowing the Co-op to take on greater technical responsibility, contribute to longer-term engineering projects, and develop practical mechatronics and manufacturing experience.