The Summer Engineering Intern will support the Engineering and Operations teams at a milk manufacturing plant, gaining hands-on experience in food and beverage manufacturing, process optimization, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement. This role is designed for engineering students interested in applying classroom knowledge to real-world industrial and food production environments while learning about dairy processing, quality, and safety standards.
Duration: Summer Internship (10–12 weeks, full-time)
1st Shift: Monday through Friday 7am - 4pm.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist engineers with daily manufacturing support activities, including equipment troubleshooting and process observations
- Support continuous improvement projects focused on safety, quality, efficiency, and reliability
- Collect, analyze, and summarize production and process data to identify trends and improvement opportunities
- Participate in root cause analysis for equipment downtime, quality deviations, or process inefficiencies
- Assist with documentation updates such as standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and engineering drawings
- Observe and support capital projects, equipment installations, or upgrades
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Sanitation
- Follow all plant safety, food safety, and quality requirements (GMPs, HACCP, and plant policies)
Learning Opportunities
- Exposure to dairy processing operations (pasteurization, homogenization, filling, packaging, and CIP systems)
- Hands-on experience with manufacturing equipment, automation, and control systems
- Introduction to food safety and regulatory requirements in a dairy manufacturing environment
- Development of professional skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving
Mentorship from experienced engineers and plant leaders
Required Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial, or related field)
- Completed at least sophomore year by the start of the internship
- Strong interest in manufacturing, food & beverage, or industrial operations
- Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Willingness to work in an industrial manufacturing environmentPreferred:
- Coursework or experience related to manufacturing, process engineering, or automation
- Familiarity with data analysis, Lean manufacturing, or Six Sigma principles
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical teamsPhysical & Work Environment Requirements
- Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, temperature variations, and food processing areas
- Ability to walk production floors and occasionally climb stairs or ladders
- Must comply with all safety and food hygiene requirements (PPE, sanitation practices, etc.)
- Must be able to lift upto 25 lbs.