Intern: Paint Process (Fall 2026)
Dublin, VA, US, 24084
Transport is at the core of modern society. Imagine using your expertise to shape sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. If you seek to make a difference on a global scale, working with next-gen technologies and the sharpest collaborative teams, then we could be a perfect match.
What you will do
- Support the optimization of automotive paint color groups to achieve improved appearance quality at lower film build targets.
- Assist in evaluating the relationship between film thickness, color position, and overall appearance performance across various paint colors, including metallic and other effect colors.
- Collect, record, and analyze appearance data using Byk Gardner measurement equipment.
- Participate in spray application trials to assess the impact of process parameters such as flow rates, bell speed, shaping air, and paint rheology on film build consistency and appearance.
- Collaborate with R&D engineers to identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary paint overbuild while maintaining or improving appearance standards.
- Investigate how paint material properties and spray settings influence transfer efficiency and final coating performance.
- Support studies evaluating the effects of topcoat oven parameters on final paint appearance.
- Analyze test results and summarize findings to help identify colors that perform well under optimized process conditions.
- Contribute to process improvement initiatives by documenting observations, maintaining accurate records, and presenting recommendations to the project team.
- Gain hands-on experience with paint application technology, appearance measurement methods, and manufacturing process optimization in a research and development environment.
Intern Qualifications:
- Minimum Education Requirements:
Applicants must be pursuing a Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering degree at an accredited school and have completed 30 semester hours prior to the start of the intern program. - Minimum GPA of 2.75.
- Fall interns may work up to 30 hours per week.
- Required skills and knowledge: Computer Programming, Microsoft Office Application, and Applied Statistics
- Anticipated project start and completion date from 08/17/26 To 12/11/26
Scope of work
- Record appearance data using Byk Gardner equipment
- Study the influence of Topcoat oven parameters on paint appearance
- Organize and document appearance measurement results for selected process conditions
- Support analysis of relationships between process settings and appearance outcomes
- Help identify process windows that improve appearance consistency and quality
- Prepare a summary of findings for the paint process engineering team
Key Deliverables
- Appearance data / Film build collection log
- Summary of spray setting and Topcoat oven parameter findings
- Recommendation summary for process optimization
- Final presentation outlining internship findings
Who we are and what we believe in
We are committed to shaping the future landscape of efficient, safe, and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents across the group’s leading brands and entities.
Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group. Every day, you will be working with some of the sharpest and most creative brains in our field to be able to leave our society in better shape for the next generation. We are passionate about what we do, and we thrive on teamwork. We are almost 100,000 people united around the world by a culture of care, inclusiveness, and empowerment.
At Volvo Trucks you will be part of leading the way towards a sustainable transport industry. For nearly a century we have been innovating for people – to make life easier, better and safer. Driving progress is our promise to customers, to the industry and to society. At Volvo Trucks we share a curiosity to learn, we work with passion and we embrace change to stay ahead. Join us, together we move the world we want to live in.
Nearest Major Market: Blacksburg
Nearest Secondary Market: Virginia