Job Title: Mechanical Engineering Intern — Hardware Production & Design

Department: Hardware Production & Field Operations

Reports To: Head of Hardware Production & Field Operations

Work Location: Nairobi (frequent travel to field sites and workshop/fabrication partners)

Employment Type: Internship (6 months, with 3-month probation)

Monthly Stipend: KES 20,000 gross

About the Role
Synnefa🌱 is an innovative ag-tech startup dedicated to transforming agriculture through smart, climate-resilient solutions. We provide end-to-end solutions that integrate solar driers, smart greenhouses, FarmShield IoT sensors, and FarmCloud record-keeping software to enhance farming efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. Our mission is to empower farmers with technology that simplifies farming and increases incomes.

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineering Intern to support our Hardware Production & Field Operations team. This is a hands-on role designed for a motivated early-career engineer seeking real-world exposure to hardware production, procurement coordination, CAD, and field installations.

The intern will support day-to-day BOQ/BOM processing, supplier coordination, simple CAD work, and field support, helping the team improve build speed, quality, and delivery timelines. This role offers a strong learning pipeline toward a future Design/Production Engineering position.

Key Responsibilities

• BOQ/BOM Processing & Supplier Coordination;

Support incoming BOQs/BQs, populate and maintain standard BOQ templates, manage master BOMs, and maintain supplier price registers, including landed-cost calculations. Prepare RFQs and supplier comparison tables for review and approval.

• Procurement Follow-up & Vendor Management;
Track supplier lead times, maintain vendor records, log quality feedback, flag procurement risks early, and assist with purchase order preparation.

• CAD & Parts/BOM Development (Learning Role);
Create simple subassembly models and part drawings using Fusion 360 or AutoCAD. Maintain CAD file structure, naming conventions, and revisions, and ensure alignment between CAD models and BOMs.

• Fabrication Drawings, SOPs & QA Documentation;
Under supervision, assist in developing basic fabrication drawings, assembly SOPs, QA checklists, and documentation for pilot builds and small subassemblies.

• Field Support & Continuous Improvement;
Participate in installations and pilot builds, capture site feedback, document issues or failure modes, and feed improvements back into CAD, BOMs, and SOPs.

• Documentation & Cross-functional Communication;
Maintain clear, accurate records, provide weekly progress updates, and participate in mentoring and review sessions with the hardware and technical development teams.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Diploma or Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Production Engineering, or equivalent hands-on fabrication experience
• 0–2 years of experience (internships, early graduate roles, or workshop experience)
• Exposure to fabrication workshops, structural projects, agri-equipment, construction, or field operations is an advantage
• Basic CAD experience (Fusion360 or AutoCAD) or strong willingness to learn quickly
• Comfortable using Excel or Google Sheets for cost and BOM tracking
• Familiarity with basic fabrication concepts such as welding, steel profiles, and BOM structures
• Willingness to travel to field and workshop sites on short notice
• Valid driver’s license is an added advantage but not required
• Strong communication, organisation, and documentation skills

How to apply

Submit your CV together with a short portfolio or examples of past work where available (photos of fabrication work, CAD screenshots, brief BOQ examples). Applications without a portfolio may not be considered for shortlisting

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Synnefa🌱 is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply, and we strive to make all employment decisions based on merit, potential, and company needs.

Disclaimer:

We want to give everyone a fair shot at joining us, so we encourage all applicants to use our synnefa.breezy.hr applicant tracking system-ATS to apply for any openings at Synnefa and avoid contacting Synnefa employees or management about the opening.

Any attempt to contact us or any Synnefa team member, especially management, through unofficial means, including whatsapp chats, direct emails, phone calls, or social media messages, will result in automatic disqualification from the application process.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in maintaining a fair and orderly recruitment process.