Mechanical Engineer Co-op

Co-op work term: 8 to 12 months | Start date: [October 2026] | Full-time, on-site

About ITS Cooling 

Innovative Thermal Solutions (itscooling.com) is a Guelph, Ontario-based engineering and manufacturing company specializing in thermal management for power electronics. We design and build friction stir welded (FSW) liquid cold plates, skived and extruded heat sinks, busbars, and complete thermal assemblies for customers in electric vehicles, battery energy storage (BESS), power electronics, and industrial markets. Our ISO 9001:2015-certified facility pairs Haas and Mazak CNC milling with advanced FSW technology to deliver high-quality, leak-proof products. We're growing fast and building a team that takes real pride in their work.

The Role 

We're looking for a Mechanical Engineering Co-op student to join our engineering team for an 8 to 12-month work term. You'll work on real customer projects from concept to production – designing cold plates and heat sinks, developing fixtures, supporting FSW process development, and solving problems alongside our engineers and machinists on the shop floor. It's a hands-on role with real ownership, and the longer term means you'll see your work through from first sketch to finished parts.

What You'll Do 

• Create 3D models, assemblies, and 2D drawings in SOLIDWORKS for cold plates, heat sinks, busbars, and thermal assemblies, applying GD&T 
• Design production fixtures and tooling for CNC machining, friction stir welding, and assembly 
• Support FSW process development, including weld trials, parameter optimization, and cycle-time reduction 
• Plan and run testing such as pressure/leak, flow, and thermal performance tests, and document results in clear reports 
• Work with production, quality, and sales to troubleshoot issues and drive continuous improvement projects 

What You Bring 

• Currently enrolled in a Mechanical, Mechatronics, or related Engineering degree program and eligible for an 8 to 12-month co-op work term 
• Working knowledge of 3D CAD (SOLIDWORKS preferred) and engineering drawing practices 
• An understanding of GD&T and manufacturing processes, especially CNC machining 
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail 
• Clear written and verbal communication, and comfort working on the shop floor 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Office 

Nice to Have 

• Hands-on machining or shop experience – student design teams (Formula SAE, Baja, etc.) count 
• Coursework in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and materials   
• Interest in EVs, battery energy storage, or power electronics 

What You'll Gain 

• Real ownership of customer-facing engineering projects 
• Hands-on exposure to friction stir welding, multi-axis CNC machining, and thermal testing 
• Mentorship from experienced engineers in a fast-growing company 
• Potential for future co-op terms or full-time employment after graduation 
• A tight-knit, collaborative team where your contributions are visible and valued.