AIST Foundation Steel Intern Scholarship
Massimiliano Memoli
This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at Primetals Technologies in Canonsburg, Pa., USA, through the AIST Steel Internship Scholarship. As a mechanical engineering student entering my fourth year at Northeastern University, also pursuing a master’s in mechanics and design, I came into this internship eager to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to meaningful, real-world challenges in the steel industry. My experience at Primetals Technologies exceeded those expectations and gave me a clearer vision of the kind of engineer I want to become.
My work centered on mechanical design, where I created detailed models and manufacturing drawings for components used in large-scale steelmaking equipment. One of the most impactful projects I contributed to the redesign of components for a seal roll assembly in South Carolina. These parts, though often small in scale, were critical to the system’s overall function and required careful attention to fit, tolerance and manufacturability. The work challenged me to think holistically, understanding not only how individual parts functioned, but how they interacted within assemblies under harsh industrial conditions.
What made this internship especially rewarding was the exposure to people across disciplines and borders. I had the opportunity to see the work done by senior engineers and coworkers from other departments, which gave me a holistic perspective of the company. In addition, I had the chance to meet virtually with engineers from Primetals Technologies’ international teams to better understand the global nature of the work. Through those conversations and day-to-day collaboration, I learned how different departments — from mechanical engineering to project management — come together to deliver solutions for the steel industry.
I’m deeply grateful to everyone at Primetals Technologies who supported me throughout the summer. I would like to thank Emanuele Osto for this great opportunity and helping me settle in early on. In addition, I would like to thank Marcy Fischer, Paul Jakicic, Connor Maitland, Cathay Martin, John Rudolph and Joe VanHorenbeck who I regularly turned to for guidance, troubleshooting, material selection, and understanding the different engineering standards used across the industry. Their willingness to answer questions and share their expertise made this experience not just informative, but welcoming.
Thanks to this internship, I’ve walked away with more than just CAD models and drawings, I’ve gained confidence in my abilities, a clearer understanding of industrial-scale design and a continued interest in pursuing a career in the steel industry. I’m thankful to the AIST Foundation for supporting this opportunity and to Primetals Technologies for allowing me to be part of a team that truly values learning, collaboration and innovation.