More Than Construction: How a Hilti Engineering Internship Opened New Doors

Written in collaboration with Jorge Almoyna Galvez, and the employer brand team

Future Made Real

When Jorge Almoyna Galvez first came across an internship opportunity at Hilti, he was not immediately convinced it was the right fit. As a master's student in robotics and automation, Jorge knew Hilti as a construction company, and the connection to his field was not obvious at first.

That changed when he looked more closely. What began as a curious application became one of the most formative experiences of his early career. His internship brought him from Spain to Liechtenstein, gave him ownership of real engineering work, and connected him with an international community of peers who made life in a new country feel far less daunting.

As an intern at Hilti, you’re trusted to do real engineering work, and that gives you confidence you couldn’t build any other way.

Jorge's story shows that some of the most meaningful career opportunities are not the most obvious ones. It also shows that an engineering internship at Hilti can be far more relevant to students in fields like robotics, automation, electrochemistry, and testing than they might first expect.

Looking Beyond the Surface

Jorge first heard about the opportunity through a university professor, who had been contacted by an alumnus of the program, now his supervisor at Hilti. That connection prompted him to take a closer look at what the company actually does beyond construction.

"I looked up more about the company, and reading their webpage, I liked what I saw," he said. "It seemed like a really good fit for me and was by far the best option I had."

One of the things he wishes more students understood earlier is that Hilti needs engineering talent in areas that go well beyond what people typically associate with the brand. He applied, was accepted, and moved to Liechtenstein to begin a new chapter.

Starting Fresh in Liechtenstein

Moving from Spain to Liechtenstein was a significant step. Jorge was leaving behind family and friends to begin an internship in a new place. What he found on arrival, however, made the transition much easier than expected.

When you arrive, you kind of have nobody but there’s such a welcoming and open community here. It made me extremely happy this was what I chose.

That sense of community was not accidental. Hilti's internship experience brings together students from different countries, creating an international peer network of people going through similar transitions at the same time.

"We support each other just by existing together," Jorge said. "I try to extend the kindness that was extended to me when I arrived as the newer interns. It's something Hilti fosters, and I'm really grateful for it."

Real Engineering, Not Busywork

Within his first weeks, Jorge was already building physical circuits from scratch. Rather than being given only low-risk side tasks, he was contributing to actual engineering work needed by the team.

His internship focused on supporting materials engineers with electrochemical testing. One of his main projects involved designing and building a complete battery testing setup capable of validating cell performance at pack level, a meaningful contribution to ongoing research.

"I had to research a lot, pick every sensor by hand, and build the system from copper and cables up," he said. "Everything needed to fit almost perfectly. It took time, but I learned so much about how engineering really comes together."

A big part of that growth came from the trust he was given. His supervisor gave him space to work independently while still being available when support was needed.

I don’t feel over-watched, but I don’t feel left alone either, it’s the right balance.

When Your Work Crosses Borders

One of Jorge's most defining moments came a few months into the internship, when a colleague in Kaufering, Germany, emailed him with questions about a data analysis algorithm he had written. What had felt experimental at first was now being used by others.

A similar moment followed when the same colleague later visited, saw the battery testing setup he had built, and asked Jorge's supervisor whether it could be used more broadly.

It sounds a little silly, but to know that people are actually using the things I make that what you’re doing is worth something, feels good.

For an intern, that kind of recognition is powerful. It says something not only about the value of the work, but also about how naturally collaboration moves across teams and locations at Hilti.

What the Internship Changed

When Jorge reflects on what this internship has given him, the answer goes beyond technical skills (although he has gained those too). What stands out most is confidence.

"Confidence and growth," he said. "I've come to realize I can do a lot more than I thought I could."

That confidence came one project at a time, built through autonomy, team support, and real outcomes. It also came from being treated as a contributor rather than simply an intern.

I feel like I’m at the same level as everyone else here, that’s what makes it different.

Advice for Students Considering an Internship

When the internship ends, Jorge will return to Spain to finish his studies, but he hopes to return to Hilti in the future.

For students considering an internship, his advice is practical. Come ready to contribute but also ready to connect.

Talk to people. Make friends. Be part of your team. You’ll have a much bigger impact if you connect with the people around you, and you’ll grow more, too.

And for students who hesitate because they are unsure whether Hilti is relevant to their field, he has a clear message:

Look beyond the surface. Hilti does so much more than you might think. And the opportunities here are some of the bests you’ll find anywhere.

Opening Door Early

Jorge's story shows that the right internship does more than give students exposure to work they already expected. It can reveal opportunities they had not considered, build confidence through real responsibility, and connect them to people who make growth feel possible from the start.

At Hilti, early career growth is not only about gaining experience. It is about discovering what you are capable of when you are trusted to truly contribute.