Engineering Co-op (WI)
Strattec Security Corporation, Milwaukee, WI, United States
Responsibilities
At Strattec, we reshape how people experience and interact with their vehicles by providing seamless, secure access. In partnership with OEMs, we design and deliver highly engineered solutions that create the ultimate access experience for consumers.
What sets us apart is how we work and the people who make it happen. Guided by our culture pillars—Think New, Do Together, and Own It—we collaborate across disciplines and take ownership of meaningful challenges.
If you're an integrator, problem solver, or forward thinker who wants to do work that matters, you'll grow your craft and contribute to shaping the future of the automotive industry.
Program Overview
This four-term program alternates a semester of work with an academic semester. All four terms are required and each term focuses on specific areas.
Term 1 – Prototype Lab and/or Test Lab
Learn how parts are made at Strattec.
Become familiar with plant personnel and structure.
Work with customer and product/process specifications.
Perform validation testing of new product designs and manufacturing processes.
Assist in Statistical Process Studies (SPC).
Become familiar with inspection and test equipment.
Assist with problem‑solving product and process issues and recommend solutions.
Assist in design of test fixtures used in the test lab.
Perform benchmarking studies.
Perform measurement system analysis studies (Gage R&R).
Participate as a cross‑functional team member with quality, product design, manufacturing, and tool design.
Create, document, and implement work instructions for processes and equipment.
Prototype Lab specific tasks:
Work with vendors to develop prototypes and rapid tooling.
Gain knowledge of available rapid prototype processes.
Work with internal customers to produce engineering models that meet cost and timing targets.
Coordinate assembly of test fixtures and product.
Develop prototype models using CAD.
Assist with Design for Manufacturing.
Term 2 – Process Engineering and/or Prototype Lab
Learn to create detailed and assembly drawings of tools, fixtures, machines, and plant layouts (AutoCAD and manual methods).
Conduct Design of Experiments; design trials, collect data, summarize, recommend and implement solutions.
Learn to use a variety of software programs.
Participate in cost estimation of tooling, machinery, and manufacturing processes.
Work as a team with quality, product design, manufacturing, tool design, and sales.
Perform engineering calculations.
Organize, design, summarize and recommend Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis (PFMEA).
Facilitate and implement new and modified assembly equipment.
Acquire general knowledge of die cast, stamping, and machine shop operations.
Develop understanding of SPC fundamentals.
Improve communication skills.
If aptitude is shown, lead one Capstone project presented at term end.
Term 3 – Product Design Engineering
Organize, design, summarize and recommend Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis (DFMEA).
Develop test plans to validate designs.
Deal directly with customers and vendors; may involve travel.
Perform tolerance stack‑up analysis of new and existing components.
Investigate potential new materials for components.
Design and develop new products.
Perform theoretical strength calculations to ensure designs meet requirements.
Coordinate test plans with the test lab, prototype development, and model shop.
Write Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and Engineering Change Requests (ECRs).
Investigate design improvements to enhance part quality, cost, or process.
Term 4 – Student Option
Students choose an area for their final term: Quality Department, Manufacturing Engineering Department, or Product Design Engineering Department.
Benefits
Competitive compensation package, including base pay, regular salary reviews, and short‑term incentive opportunities.
Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage with eligibility starting day one.
Paid time off for vacation, holidays, sick time, and bereavement.
401(k) retirement savings plan with company match up to 5% and immediate vesting.
Company‑paid life insurance coverage.
Wellness program supporting physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing, plus opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community.
Additional local benefits may apply depending on location.
Qualifications
Actively enrolled in an engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical or industrial) bachelor degree program.
Enrollment in a credit course covering the co‑op experience for the terms they work.
Commit to work no less than four terms.
Conduct themselves professionally and follow all Strattec security and associate work rules.
Work 40 hours per week, per semester, alternating with coursework.
Present a summary of experiences at the end of each term.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Strattec is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, and age.
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At Strattec, we reshape how people experience and interact with their vehicles by providing seamless, secure access. In partnership with OEMs, we design and deliver highly engineered solutions that create the ultimate access experience for consumers.
What sets us apart is how we work and the people who make it happen. Guided by our culture pillars—Think New, Do Together, and Own It—we collaborate across disciplines and take ownership of meaningful challenges.
If you're an integrator, problem solver, or forward thinker who wants to do work that matters, you'll grow your craft and contribute to shaping the future of the automotive industry.
Program Overview
This four-term program alternates a semester of work with an academic semester. All four terms are required and each term focuses on specific areas.
Term 1 – Prototype Lab and/or Test Lab
Learn how parts are made at Strattec.
Become familiar with plant personnel and structure.
Work with customer and product/process specifications.
Perform validation testing of new product designs and manufacturing processes.
Assist in Statistical Process Studies (SPC).
Become familiar with inspection and test equipment.
Assist with problem‑solving product and process issues and recommend solutions.
Assist in design of test fixtures used in the test lab.
Perform benchmarking studies.
Perform measurement system analysis studies (Gage R&R).
Participate as a cross‑functional team member with quality, product design, manufacturing, and tool design.
Create, document, and implement work instructions for processes and equipment.
Prototype Lab specific tasks:
Work with vendors to develop prototypes and rapid tooling.
Gain knowledge of available rapid prototype processes.
Work with internal customers to produce engineering models that meet cost and timing targets.
Coordinate assembly of test fixtures and product.
Develop prototype models using CAD.
Assist with Design for Manufacturing.
Term 2 – Process Engineering and/or Prototype Lab
Learn to create detailed and assembly drawings of tools, fixtures, machines, and plant layouts (AutoCAD and manual methods).
Conduct Design of Experiments; design trials, collect data, summarize, recommend and implement solutions.
Learn to use a variety of software programs.
Participate in cost estimation of tooling, machinery, and manufacturing processes.
Work as a team with quality, product design, manufacturing, tool design, and sales.
Perform engineering calculations.
Organize, design, summarize and recommend Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis (PFMEA).
Facilitate and implement new and modified assembly equipment.
Acquire general knowledge of die cast, stamping, and machine shop operations.
Develop understanding of SPC fundamentals.
Improve communication skills.
If aptitude is shown, lead one Capstone project presented at term end.
Term 3 – Product Design Engineering
Organize, design, summarize and recommend Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis (DFMEA).
Develop test plans to validate designs.
Deal directly with customers and vendors; may involve travel.
Perform tolerance stack‑up analysis of new and existing components.
Investigate potential new materials for components.
Design and develop new products.
Perform theoretical strength calculations to ensure designs meet requirements.
Coordinate test plans with the test lab, prototype development, and model shop.
Write Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and Engineering Change Requests (ECRs).
Investigate design improvements to enhance part quality, cost, or process.
Term 4 – Student Option
Students choose an area for their final term: Quality Department, Manufacturing Engineering Department, or Product Design Engineering Department.
Benefits
Competitive compensation package, including base pay, regular salary reviews, and short‑term incentive opportunities.
Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage with eligibility starting day one.
Paid time off for vacation, holidays, sick time, and bereavement.
401(k) retirement savings plan with company match up to 5% and immediate vesting.
Company‑paid life insurance coverage.
Wellness program supporting physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing, plus opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community.
Additional local benefits may apply depending on location.
Qualifications
Actively enrolled in an engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical or industrial) bachelor degree program.
Enrollment in a credit course covering the co‑op experience for the terms they work.
Commit to work no less than four terms.
Conduct themselves professionally and follow all Strattec security and associate work rules.
Work 40 hours per week, per semester, alternating with coursework.
Present a summary of experiences at the end of each term.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Strattec is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, and age.
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