Manufacturing Engineer Intern- Summer 2027

Position Summary

The Shape Corp student engineering program provides students with hands-on experience in a dynamic automotive manufacturing environment. The Manufacturing Engineering Intern will support the design, improvement, and efficiency of equipment, processes, and manufacturing systems through sound engineering and lean manufacturing practices. Working alongside Manufacturing Engineers and cross-functional plant teams, the student will help analyze data, troubleshoot process issues, support launch and production activities, and develop practical solutions that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.

Essential Job Functions

• Assist with the design, development, implementation, and improvement of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, fixtures, and production systems.
• Support safe process design and execution while following applicable company, customer, quality, and manufacturing standards.
• Collect and analyze data to evaluate process performance, verify results, and support data-driven engineering recommendations.
• Assist with process studies and design of experiments to evaluate manufacturing variables, process capability, and improvement opportunities.
• Support troubleshooting and root-cause investigation of equipment, tooling, quality, ergonomic, and manufacturing process concerns.
• Help analyze workflow, space requirements, equipment layout, cycle time, downtime, scrap, throughput, and labor utilization to improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Participate in Lean Manufacturing activities using tools such as Value Stream Mapping, Material Information Flow Charts, standard work, visual management, and continuous improvement methods.
• Assist with development of process standards and measurements used to evaluate and sustain improvement activities.
• Support new-business feasibility, process planning, tolerance reviews, and development of manufacturing concepts as assigned.
• Assist with launch maturation plans, engineering trials, production readiness, equipment installation, process validation, and launch-team activities.
• Participate in Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, risk-reduction, corrective-action, and structured problem-solving activities.
• Support development of equipment or tooling specifications, technical comparisons, project timing, cost estimates, and basic return-on-investment analysis.
• Create or revise machine and production work instructions, process documentation, engineering reports, layouts, and technical presentations.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Tooling, Product Development, EHS, PC&L, Launch, and other teams on assigned projects.
• Summarize findings and communicate project status, risks, recommendations, and demonstrated improvements to relevant stakeholders.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the supervisor, not otherwise specified in this position description.

Education & Experience

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree from an accredited program in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, Automation Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Coursework or project experience involving manufacturing processes, mechanical design, statistics, quality, lean manufacturing, CAD, automation, or data analysis.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
• Able to spend time in a manufacturing environment observing processes, supporting trials, and working with production teams.
• Able to manage assigned activities, meet timelines, and work independently with appropriate guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to contribute effectively within a cross-functional team.
• Strong analytical, technical, organizational, and hands-on problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing methods such as Value Stream Mapping, MIFC, standard work, 5S, visual management, SMED, Kanban, or continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with structured problem-solving, design of experiments, statistical process control, process capability, PFMEA, or corrective-action methods.
• Exposure to CAD software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or Creo.
• Experience with manufacturing equipment, automation, robotics, programmable logic controllers, sensors, tooling, machining, welding, or assembly processes.
• Basic understanding of engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, tolerance reviews, equipment layouts, or design for manufacturability.
• Experience participating in technical team projects such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, robotics, capstone design, or similar activities.
• Interest in automotive manufacturing, production launch, process advancement, and operational improvement.