Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world's most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn't imagine the future, we invent it. If you're passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!

The Laboratory of Computational Invention (LOCI) is led by PI Andrew Spielberg and was established at Carnegie Mellon University in the ECE Department in Fall 2025. Our mission is to develop methods that
enable people to design, build, and deploy complex systems directly from high-level specifications-- especially when doing so manually would be difficult, time-consuming, or expensive. Research applications
span virtual systems (e.g., game environments), physical systems (e.g., structures), and cyber-physical systems (e.g., robots and assistive devices).

The Laboratory of Computational Invention (LOCI) is building systems that help novices and experts create virtual or physical objects that are difficult to design or fabricate by hand. We are seeking paid research
interns for Summer 2026 (~12-14 weeks). We're a full-stack, interdisciplinary group working across modeling, simulation, computational design, digital fabrication, human-centered tools, and robotics.

In your application, please include 1-2 sentences about something you built and what you learned from it

The internship will be in-person, in Pittsburgh. Project topics are flexible, but will be centered around the lab's themes, and focus on one of the following tracks:

Research tracks:

• Simulation and systems for simulation: Physical simulation, computer graphics, numerical optimization, compilers, programming languages, and program synthesis
• Manufacturing methods and applications: Mechanical design and digital fabrication (3D printing, textiles), mechanisms, materials, biohybrid systems
• Rapid fabrication / process innovation: Developing new manufacturing processes and fabrication pipelines
• Design for deployment (robotics): Contact-rich control, sim-to-real methods, manipulation
• GenAI for design: Generative models (training big or small models), agentic systems for design and making
• Design experiences: HCI and interactive systems, including video game development as a medium for design tools/experiences

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor's degree in a technical field (e.g., science, engineering, mathematics). We also welcome applicants from design/architecture/business with a strong technical, computational, or making portfolio. Applicants with more advanced degrees are also welcome.
• Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through independent, research, and/or course projects
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• If coming from a computing background: strong programming skills (e.g., Python/C++), ideally with experience in one or more of the areas in the tracks above
• If coming from a making/engineering background: strong design and/or fabrication skills, ideally with
  experience in relevant tools/processes in the tracks above
• Candidates are encouraged to include links to relevant work (portfolio, GitHub, paper/preprint, demo video,
  etc.).
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it's about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

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