Building on a strong legacy of almost 150 years, we are leading the way to reimagine and improve life every day. Today and for generations to come. Through our innovative and sustainable brands and technologies, across our teams around the world.
Henkel holds leading positions in both industrial and consumer businesses: Our portfolio includes well-known hair care products, laundry detergents, fabric softeners as well as adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings.
Validation & Prototype Engineering Intern – 2026
Apply for this role
Validation & Prototype Engineering Intern – 2026
Apply for this role
About this Position
At Henkel, you’ll be part of an organization that’s shaping the future through innovation, sustainability and collaboration. With our trusted brands like Persil®, ‘all®, Loctite®, Snuggle®, and Schwarzkopf® and our cutting-edge technologies, you’ll have countless opportunities to explore new paths and grow.
This position is with our Adhesive Technologies business unit – where we empower our people to transform industries and provide our customers with a competitive advantage through adhesives, sealants and functional coatings.
Dare to learn new skills, advance in your career and make an impact at Henkel.
What you’ll do
Gain valuable hands-on experience in automotive prototyping, testing, and validation for next-generation vehicle models. As an intern, you will:
- Support Technical Design Engineers with acoustic, sealing and structural part validation
- Perform special engineering projects and supportive tasks that lead toward new innovations
- Support engineers with part design, functionality, 5D root-cause analysis, design reviews and limited new vehicle launch support
- Execute lessons-learned process
- Become familiar with Global Design Standards and provide feedback to engineers on proposal of new standards
- Documentation of engineering laboratory reports
- Ability to work a minimum of 12-20 hours per week and expand in the summer up to 40 hours per week depending on the student’s class schedule
What makes you a good fit
- A current sophomore or junior student pursuing a degree in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering or Computer Science)
- Interest in automotive engineering and material science
- Strong communication, technical design knowledge, problem solving and interpersonal skills
- Ability to think and work under minimal supervision
- Have the capability to use or be trained on 3D printers, band saws, drill press, metal press brake and shear, belt sanders, pneumatic and manual dispensing guns and general hand tools.
- A good work ethic is a must
Some benefits of joining Henkel as an intern
- Exciting projects that allow you to make real impact and collaborate with Henkel colleagues worldwide.
- Countless learning opportunities available through Henkel’s online learning platform with over 9,000 professional courses.
- Networking events with Henkel business leaders, experts and sustainability ambassadors.
- Ongoing feedback discussions throughout the internship that allow you to accomplish concrete goals.
- In-person and virtual social events to connect with other Henkel interns across the country.
Following your internship, you may be invited to join Henkel as a returning intern or full-time employee.
Additional information
- This internship is NOT eligible for a housing stipend or relocation support.
- The anticipated start date for this internship is January 19, 2026, and the anticipated end date is January 19, 2027.
- This position requires you to be available to work ~20 hours/week.
- Recruitment for our 2026 internships starts in late August 2025 and runs through early March 2026 or until all our positions are filled.
- If selected to move forward in our recruitment process, you will receive an email from our talent acquisition team.
- If a position you applied to is filled by another candidate, you will receive an email from our team alerting you that the position is closed.
The salary for this role is $22-$27/hour. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.
Henkel is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.
JOB ID: req75360
Job Locations: United States, MI, Madison Heights, MI
Contact information for application-related questions: talent.acquisition@henkel.com
Please do not use this email address for sending your application or CV. To apply, please click on the "Apply for this role" button below. Applications sent via e-mail will not be accepted.
Application Deadline: As long as the vacancy is listed on our Career Site, we are happy to receive your application
Job-Center: If you have an application already, you can create or log in to your account here to check the status of your application. In case of new account creation, please use your email address that you applied with.
About Henkel
FAQ
I am interested in several jobs. Can I apply for multiple positions at the same time?
Yes – simply fill out your profile in our online application system. Once your online profile is complete, you can apply for multiple positions.
The job offer is written in English – should I write my application in English as well?
Yes, please. As Henkel is an international company you will be working with colleagues from all over the world and English is our official company language. Generally, the ‘rule’ is: please write the application in the same language as the job ad.
Do I get feedback during the application process about the state of my application?
Each position that we have open with Henkel is unique, and finding the right candidate is important for both the hired candidate as well as for Henkel. We want to make sure that both the candidate and the company are a good fit for each other. We will provide feedback to the candidates throughout the entire process.
Can employees move between business areas and/or to a different country?
Yes, in fact it is an expectation within Henkel that our talent is flexible and mobile. This helps to support the company on a broad, global level.
Our “Triple Two” philosophy promotes this expectation, by allowing you to work in at least two different roles, in two different business areas and two different countries. The reason behind this philosophy is that we believe working in different roles, business units and functions is good for your personal development and improves your understanding of Henkel as a global company.
Here you will get further information on our training programs.
Whom do I contact if I have questions concerning my application?
Our recruiting team will help you with all requests regarding your application. Contact the team here.