About the role#
Terranova is seeking a Lab Intern to support our engineering team in testing, validating, and iterating on the robotic systems used for land restoration and climate resilience. You will work hands-on in the lab to help turn engineering designs into working hardware. This role offers the opportunity to see how physical products are built and proven out from bench tests to field-ready systems.
What you'll do#
- Set up, run, and monitor lab experiments and hardware tests to support the engineering team.
- Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot lab equipment, test rigs, and sensor instrumentation.
- Collect, organize, and log test data while helping to summarize results for engineers.
- Assist with prototyping, assembly, and basic fabrication of hardware components.
- Support integration and validation testing as systems move from bench to field.
- Document lab procedures, test setups, and findings for the team.
- Follow lab safety protocols and help keep the workspace organized.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
- U.S. permanent residency.
- Hands-on wet lab experience and comfort in a lab environment.
- Familiarity with lab instrumentation such as pH meters, spectrophotometers, GC/HPLC, or microscopy.
- Experience with environmental or materials testing, including soil, sediment, water quality, corrosion, or durability.
- Basic data analysis skills using Excel, Python, or MATLAB.
- Strong lab safety practices and attention to detail.
- Comfort with fieldwork or sample collection outside the lab.
- Ability to handle the intensity of early-stage startup life.
- Background in materials science, polymers, or composites is a plus.
- Coursework or project experience in environmental, geotechnical, or fluid systems is a bonus.
Location & details#
- Location: Berkeley, California (On-site).
- Term: Fall 2026 (September through December).
- Employment: Full-time, paid internship.
About Terranova
Terranova operates in the robotics engineering sector. The company builds robots that inject wood slurry underground to lift properties out of flood zones. This process aims to protect infrastructure and wetlands without disturbing the surface. Based in Berkeley, California, the firm maintains a team of 11 to 50 employees.
How to get in at Terranova
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