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, documentation, and implementation of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and production systems. This opportunity is designed to help an entry-level engineering student apply classroom knowledge to real-world manufacturing challenges while building practical experience in process engineering, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. 

Essential Job Functions 

• Assist with the development, implementation, and improvement of manufacturing processes, production methods, equipment, tooling, and work-cell layouts.
• Support troubleshooting and root-cause investigation of production, equipment, tooling, quality, safety, and process-performance issues.
• Collect and analyze manufacturing data related to cycle time, downtime, scrap, throughput, labor, quality, process capability, and equipment performance.
• Assist with process studies, time studies, line balancing, capacity analysis, workflow evaluation, and identification of production constraints.
• Create or revise operator instructions, standardized work, process documentation, control plans, visual aids, and technical reports.
• Support design and modification of simple tools, fixtures, guards, workstations, and material-handling solutions using CAD software.
• Participate in equipment installation, process changes, engineering trials, validation activities, and production launch support.
• Assist with plant layout updates, equipment relocation planning, asset management, and documentation of manufacturing changes.
• Support continuous improvement activities focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, ergonomics, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness.
• Participate in process failure mode and effects analysis, corrective-action activities, structured problem-solving, and risk-reduction efforts.
• Support equipment safety reviews, process audits, and implementation of actions identified through engineering or operational assessments.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Tooling, Product Development, EHS, PC&L, and other teams to complete assigned projects.
• Summarize findings and present project updates, recommendations, technical information, or demonstrated improvements to relevant stakeholders.
• Follow applicable safety, quality, environmental, customer, and engineering standards while performing assigned work.
• 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, automation, statistics, quality, CAD, process improvement, 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 work independently while also contributing effectively within a cross-functional team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, technical, organizational, and hands-on problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Exposure to CAD software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or Creo through coursework, student projects, or prior work experience.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing, standard work, 5S, value stream mapping, time studies, line balancing, or continuous improvement methods.
• Exposure to manufacturing equipment, robotics, programmable logic controllers, sensors, machine controls, tooling, fixtures, machining, welding, or assembly processes.
• Basic understanding of statistical process control, process capability, measurement systems, engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, or design for manufacturability.
• Experience with structured problem-solving methods such as 5 Whys, fishbone analysis, A3, PDCA, DMAIC, or failure mode and effects analysis.
• Participation in engineering design teams such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, robotics, capstone design, or similar technical projects.
• Interest in automotive manufacturing, advanced manufacturing technologies, process engineering, and operational improvement.