Industrial Design Intern

What we’re building

Our vision is to electrify all waterborne vessels, and we're starting with electric water sport boats.

Gas boats dominate today’s marine industry not because of great product offerings but because of a lack of better alternatives. Boaters have grown accustomed to vehicles that feel stuck in the 1980s: unreliable, expensive, loud, noxious, and a nightmare to own and operate. They’re also awful for the water and air they reside in.

By contrast, electric boats are superior in nearly every way: not only are they far more reliable and less costly to operate, but they’re also quieter, quicker, and cleaner, with no fumes or pollutants. However, they’ve been held back by both the technology and the talent to make them truly competitive with gas alternatives. That’s Arc’s opportunity.

Using modern, aerospace- and automotive-inspired techniques, we’re building our hulls, batteries, cooling systems, firmware, and software together to deliver the next generation of watercraft.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a motivated and enthusiastic full-time intern who shares our vision and is excited to embrace new challenges. We pride ourselves on transparency and operate in a lean, high-trust environment that encourages ownership and initiative.

As a full-time intern on our industrial design team, you will work at our manufacturing facility in Los Angeles. As a startup, we offer a fast-paced, dynamic environment that requires adaptability. However, the following responsibilities and qualifications are expected to remain consistent throughout the internship:

Core responsibilities

• Assisting in the creation of industrial design concepts, sketches, digital and physical models and prototypes.
• Supporting the design team in the development of aesthetic and functional components, from layout to detailing.
• Contribute to the CMF (Color, Material, Finish) selection process by researching trends, preparing material boards, and presenting ideas.
• Researching industry trends, understanding customer needs and market demands.
• Collaborating with engineering and other cross functional teams to understand manufacturing constraints.

Basic qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field.
• A design portfolio showing recent projects.
• Strong skills in sketching, CAD modeling (Rhino, Solidworks, Alias, or Blender)
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Excellent understanding of design principles, form, and function, with an eye for detail.
• A passion for marine design, boats, or other transportation-related products.
• Basic knowledge of CMF (Color, Material, Finish) strategies and trends.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Portfolio showcasing relevant design projects, highlighting creativity, problem-solving skills.

Bonus qualifications

• Previous internship experience in industrial or transportation design
• Knowledge of marine engineering or experience in the boating industry
• Familiarity with sustainable materials and eco-friendly design practices
• Comfortable pushing a fast but sustainable pace
• Enthusiasm for boating and clean energy

At Arc, we encourage diversity and consider all qualified applicants equally for employment, regardless of background, identity, or status. You’re always welcome to reach out even if you don’t meet many of these qualifications. Passion and aptitude make up for a lot.

What we value

We value these five things above all else:

• Ownership over both your work and the company’s success
• Empathy for colleagues and for customers
• Humility in problem solving and collaboration
• Pragmatism for navigating ambiguity quickly and sensibly
• Inclusion of different backgrounds, opinions, cultures, etc.

Given that we work in a sometimes intense or stressful environment, it’s vital that our values align. We’d be happy to elaborate on any or all of these during the interview process.

What you’ll get

• Talented teammates that challenge you to be better
• Access and often input to a wide range of business activities
• An hourly wage of $34.00
• An opportunity to have an outsized impact on industry-defining vehicles
• The ability to drive positive environmental change through your work
• Daily lunches, plenty of snacks, lots of swag, and more
• Boat rides!

Hope to hear from you soon!

The crew at Arc