Recent Interns
SUMMER OF 2026 INTERNS
Rohit Pallavajjala
My name is Rohit Pallavajjala, and I am a senior at Geneva High School (class of 2027). I am interested in pursuing a higher education in industrial, mechanical, or systems engineering. I learned about this internship as a part of a visit through Manufacturing Days, where I was exposed to the industry. This inspired me to apply for this internship and gain firsthand exposure to the world of precision manufacturing.
During my time as an intern, I worked in Quality Control, Production, Engineering, and on several projects. In each department, I shadowed and worked with employees to understand their jobs, why what they did was significant, and how different aspects of the manufacturing process came together to create the product. After shadowing and learning relevant skills and processes, I worked to contribute to company operations. I spent much of my time in the Engineering department because of my strong desire to pursue a career in engineering.
I am grateful to Smith and Richardson for this opportunity to work as a part of their team and experience precision manufacturing. Furthermore, having done this internship, I’ve solidified my desire to pursue a degree in the STEM field, applied many of my skills in a professional environment, seen how applied STEM differs from my classwork, and narrowed down my career prospects.
Quality Control
I started in Quality Control, where I learned about the extensive process that goes into ensuring satisfactory products are sent to the client. I learned to operate advanced machinery such as comparators, the AV Starrett, and profilometers to check various types of dimensioning. I learned not just about checking for bad parts, but also the process that goes into correcting defects, communicating with both QC and other departments to rectify issues. My time in Quality Control prepared me for other departments by expanding my technical expertise with drawings, dimensions, and the identification of defects. This was a strong foundation for my following experiences.
Production
During my time in Production, I shadowed machine operators on the floor while assisting in general operations. I learned about how the machines work, how machinists are responsible for correcting deviations from set parameters, and how machinists set up and operate the machines to produce quality parts for many different industries. Understanding the machines that the company revolves around was greatly helpful to contextualize the information I learned during my time at Smith and Richardson.
Engineering
After Production, I moved to Engineering, where I received instruction in the usage of both SolidWorks and ESPRIT. Learning SolidWorks built on my existing knowledge of Fusion 360 and allowed me to further strengthen my design skills. Getting to work with ESPRIT was extremely interesting, as I got to see how engineers transform models into workable programs used to operate the CNCs. In addition, I got to work with both on-site engineers to solve day-to-day issues and better understand their duties in the precision manufacturing field as well as what opportunities are available.
Projects with Engineering
After my time in the other departments was concluded, I worked independently and with others to execute projects beneficial to Smith and Richardson. I worked with export regulation documentation, created SolidWorks part models and drawings for several new jobs, identified issues with tooling system organization and auditing, as well as other beneficial work for the company. With the tool organization, I implemented a system for laser engraving the tool handling wrenches for ease of identification and usage. With all my projects I enjoyed seeing my work progress from vision to reality and benefit the company.
Overall
Working this summer at Smith and Richardson was an amazing experience that I could not recommend enough for anyone looking into manufacturing, or even just STEM in general. I experienced firsthand the full manufacturing process from start to finish while working with talented individuals in a variety of areas. What I really liked was how while Smith and Richardson exposed me to all their departments, they tailored my internship experience to me by focusing much of my time on revolving around the Engineering department, allowing me time to focus on engineering related work. Whether it was collaborating on projects, shadowing and asking questions, or improving my technical skills, my time at Smith and Richardson will help guide me on the path to personal and professional development.
Braeden Durbin
My name is Braeden Durbin, and I am entering my junior year at Iowa State University of Science and Technology, where I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology with an emphasis in Manufacturing (Class of 2028). I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to intern with Smith & Richardson during the summer of 2026.
My interest in precision manufacturing really started after I changed my major from Mechanical Engineering to Industrial Technology. That change introduced me to Iowa State’s iTEC program, where I began working directly with CNC machines, CAM software, and SolidWorks. Since then, I’ve really enjoyed learning from professors who came straight from the manufacturing industry and taking classes that relate directly to the work I hope to do after graduation.
During my internship at Smith & Richardson, I had the opportunity to spend time in the Quality Control, Production, and Engineering departments. Being able to experience each area gave me an exceptional understanding of how every part of the company works together to produce quality parts.
I started in Quality Control, where I learned how to inspect parts to customer specifications using a variety of measuring equipment, including the comparator, profilometer, Oasis, and Keyence systems. Everyone in the department was approachable and always willing to answer questions, which made learning something completely new much easier.
After Quality, I spent time in Production shadowing machine operators as they completed setups, ran parts, and worked through everyday challenges on the shop floor. Watching experienced operators troubleshoot problems and adapting when things didn’t go as planned gave me a realistic look at precision manufacturing and an appreciation for the teamwork and communication required throughout the manufacturing process.
In Engineering, I continued building my SolidWorks skills before learning the Esprit CAM software. I also had the opportunity to model customer parts and create detailed manufacturing drawings that would be used in production. This experience gave me a better understanding of the engineering side of the manufacturing process and how it supports the shop floor.
My internship concluded with two independent projects: the Torque Screw Project and the Tool Holder Cataloging Project. For the Torque Screw Project, I researched manufacturer torque specifications for the company’s tool holders, identified the proper tightening tools, and developed an organized system that would be easy for operators to use. I later presented the project alongside one of the company’s engineers to the Vice President for approval. For the Tool Holder Cataloging Project, I documented the company’s ER collet tool holders and worked with the head of the Tool Crib to develop a more organized inventory system.
Overall, my internship at Smith & Richardson was an incredible experience. The opportunity to work in multiple departments, contribute to meaningful projects, and learn from experienced employees gave me a much better understanding of the manufacturing industry. More importantly, it helped me realize that this is the field I want to pursue after graduation, and I’m grateful for everything I learned during my time here.
S&R Interns
Pictured left to right: Braeden Durbin, Ron Brown- Director of Education & Training, and Rohit Pallavajjala.
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