Graphic Design and Technical Communications Intern

Graphic Design & Technical Communications Intern

STR is seeking a creative, detail-oriented Graphic Design & Technical Communications Intern to support the development of compelling visual communications for complex engineering and technical projects. This role is ideal for a student who enjoys combining graphic design with analytical thinking and has an interest in learning about advanced technologies.

The primary focus of this position will be creating and refining technical presentations, particularly in Microsoft PowerPoint, to help engineers and researchers communicate sophisticated concepts clearly and effectively. The ideal candidate will be curious, collaborative, and comfortable working with technical subject matter experts to understand their work and translate complex information into accessible, visually engaging graphics and presentations.

Additional responsibilities will include supporting corporate branding efforts, maintaining visual consistency across presentation materials, and developing graphics for internal communications and signage.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Presentation Design

• Design, develop, and refine professional PowerPoint presentations for technical, engineering, research, and business audiences.
• Collaborate directly with engineers and researchers to understand complex technical concepts and translate them into clear, effective visual representations.
• Create custom diagrams, illustrations, infographics, and other visual elements that communicate technical information accurately and intuitively.
• Transform dense technical content, including text, data, and conceptual descriptions, into well-organized, visually compelling slides.
• Improve existing presentations for clarity, readability, visual consistency, and overall effectiveness.
• Ensure presentation materials adhere to STR's established visual identity and brand standards.

Graphic Design & Branding

• Develop graphics and visual assets for internal communications, signage, and other corporate branding initiatives.
• Support the creation and maintenance of branded templates and reusable design assets.
• Apply consistent typography, color palettes, layouts, and visual styles across materials.
• Assist in updating and refining presentation and document templates in Microsoft PowerPoint and Word.
• Prepare graphics and design files for both digital and print applications.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with engineers, scientists, and technical staff to understand the purpose, context, and key messages of their work.
• Ask thoughtful questions and demonstrate a willingness to learn unfamiliar technical concepts.
• Present design ideas, incorporate feedback, and iteratively refine visual materials.
• Balance technical accuracy with visual clarity, ensuring designs enhance rather than oversimplify the underlying information.
• Manage multiple assignments and meet project deadlines in a collaborative environment.

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in Graphic Design or a related field.
• Must be a U.S. citizen due to the nature of STR's work and applicable regulations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint including slide layouts, visual composition, charts, shapes, and presentation formatting.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and document formatting.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Strong visual communication skills, including typography, layout, information hierarchy, and composition.
• Demonstrated ability to organize complex information and communicate visually.
• Intellectual curiosity and a willingness to engage with unfamiliar engineering, scientific, or technical subject matter.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to collaborate with people who may not have a design background.
• Attention to detail and an ability to apply brand standards consistently.
• A portfolio that demonstrates graphic design, presentation design, information visualization, or related work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing or modifying PowerPoint templates, Slide Masters, custom layouts, and themes.
• Experience creating or maintaining Microsoft Word templates, including styles, themes, headers, footers, and document formatting standards.
• Experience designing presentations for professional, academic, or research audiences.
• Understanding of corporate brand identity systems and visual style guidelines.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be more than a traditional graphic designer. They will be a visual problem-solver who enjoys understanding how things work.

They do not need to arrive with an engineering background, but they should be excited by the opportunity to learn from engineers and scientists, ask questions, and find creative ways to explain complicated ideas. They should be equally comfortable designing a polished technical presentation, building a clear systems diagram, and applying consistent branding to corporate materials.

Above all, we are looking for someone who recognizes that effective technical design is not simply about making information look attractive – it is about making complex ideas easier to understand without sacrificing technical accuracy.

What You'll Gain

• Hands-on experience communicating advanced engineering and scientific concepts through visual design.
• Opportunities to collaborate directly with engineers, scientists, and technical professionals.
• Experience developing presentation materials for technical and professional audiences.
• Practical exposure to corporate branding, presentation standards, and document template development.
• Portfolio-worthy experience in technical communication, information design, and visual storytelling.

Perks:

• Competitive pay
• Free housing for interns at our Massachusetts site, or bonuses at other sites
• Flexible working hours
• Fun summer activities both in and outside the office 

Pay Information
Hourly Range: $25.20-$54.00/hour

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.