Industrial Engineering Student/Co-op - Winter 2027

Irving Shipbuilding, Inc.; Halifax; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Irving Shipbuilding invites a motivated Industrial Engineering Co-op student to join our team in Canada. You’ll design and improve tools, workstations, and processes that boost quality and efficiency in ship construction and repair, applying Six Sigma methods with mentorship from experienced engineers.

You’ll gain hands-on experience through real projects, develop lasting improvements, and contribute to the shipyard’s continuous improvement culture.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) 4-year degree program or equivalent.
• 0–2 years' engineering experience preferred.
• Strong analytical and data-analysis abilities.
• Effective verbal and written communication with stakeholders.
• Cross-functional problem-solving across technical and business domains.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Support facilitation of workshops and business updates.

Responsibilities

• Actively manage scope of work, including standards, metrics, capacity analysis, OEE, material flow, visual management, benchmarking, R&D, and project planning.
• Assist with authoring processes and procedures for stabilizing and controlling design, repair, and construction.
• Identify and act on Continuous Improvement opportunities within Industrial Engineering’s scope of work.
• Assist in mitigation plans for risks associated with Industrial Engineering activities.
• Support improvement, standardization, and mitigation projects with problem solving and stakeholder management.
• Utilize leading change principles to engage stakeholders and institutionalize change.

Skills

Analytical problem solving

Data analysis

Verbal and written communication

Cross-functional problem solving

Time management

Workshop facilitation

0-2 years experience

Education

B.Eng. in 4-year program

Job description

Job Description

Are you ready to engineer real change in one of Canada’s most advanced shipyards?

Job Description

Are you ready to engineer real change in one of Canada’s most advanced shipyards? Join the team driving smarter shipbuilding! As an Industrial Engineering co‑op Student, you'll help design and improve tools, workstations, and processes that boost quality and efficiency in ship construction and repair. You’ll gain hands‑on experience through training, coaching, and real‑world projects by applying scientific methods to solve problems, test solutions, and implement lasting improvements. With support from experienced mentors, you’ll contribute to impactful projects and learn to influence change using proven methodologies like Six Sigma and the Irving Way of Shipbuilding.

At Irving Shipbuilding, our Industrial Engineering Co‑op students don’t just observe, they design, plan, and improve the tools, processes, and workstations that power the construction and repair of world‑class naval vessels.

As an added bonus, we will cover up to $1000 of your co‑op fees because your success matters to us.

Responsibilities

• Actively manage scope of work, which could include developing standards, performance metrics, capacity analysis, overall equipment effectiveness, material flow, visual management, industry benchmarking, research and development, and/or project planning.
• Assist with authoring processes and procedures, documenting how to stabilize and control processes in ship design, repair, and construction.
• Identify and action opportunities for Continuous Improvement within Industrial Engineering’s scope of work.
• Assist to identify and manage mitigation plans for risks associated with Industrial Engineering activities and initiatives.
• Assist with improvement, standardization, and/or mitigation plans and projects, including creative technical problem solving and effective stakeholder management with support where required.
• Utilize leading change principles to effectively engage stakeholders and institutionalize change.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.) 4-year degree program or equivalent.
• 0-2 years' experience.
• Analytical problem solving and data analysis skills.
• Verbal and written communication with internal and external stakeholders, with the ability to engage employees at most levels of the organization.
• Cross-functional problem solving from technical & business perspective.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Support facilitation of workshops and business updates.

Due to the nature of work Irving Shipbuilding does, all successful applicants must meet requirements for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP), Canadian Government Security clearance, and U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Please note this position requires a full-time, in-office presence.

About Us

Founded in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) operates in Eastern Canada (New-Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador), as well as in USA. We are a team of 20,000 dedicated employees. At J.D. Irving, Limited, you are part of a dynamic team of professionals who lead with integrity and are passionate about delivering results. With a culture that nurtures talent and creates an inclusive workplace, you can grow your career across our various operating divisions.

We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates, and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

Worried you do not meet all the requirements? Studies have shown that many applicants apply only to job opportunities when they feel they meet 100% of the criteria. We promote an inclusive environment where everyone is appreciated, recognized, and empowered to contribute fully. If you are interested in this position but are worried you did not meet all the requirements, we would encourage you to still apply.

Our recruitment advisors and hiring teams will utilize human screening combined with AI technology to help identify the skills and qualities that matter most to our business, while safeguarding your privacy and using AI responsibly.

We appreciate your interest in our company however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

About The Team

Irving Shipbuilding is proud to be Canada's National Shipbuilder. Our team is constructing more than 20 modern patrol ships and destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard as part of the largest defence procurement project in Canadian history.

By joining our team of more than 2,400 shipbuilders, you can enjoy a dynamic and exciting career with a company dedicated to your success, development, and safety.

At Irving Shipbuilding, we're making history - why not make it with us? Learn more about careers at Irving Shipbuilding: shipsforcanada.ca/opportunities.

We invite applications from all qualified candidates, including racially visible persons, women in underrepresented roles, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and encourage applicants to self-identify.