2026 Summer Internship Program: Operational Excellence Summer Intern

BioSpace; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 28,929 - 63,369; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick time

Access to on-site fitness center

Commuter Benefit

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company in Thousand Oaks is offering a full-time Operational Excellence internship for the summer. Interns will gain hands-on experience in continuous improvement by supporting projects, conducting data analysis, and learning Lean methodologies. This opportunity includes mentorship and professional development to enhance analytical and communication skills. The internship requires commitment to a full-time schedule for 10-12 weeks, and compensation is competitive with an hourly wage ranging from $21.00 to $46.00.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a degree program graduating December 2026 or later.
• Interest in continuous improvement and process excellence.
• Comfortable working in a team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with process mapping and data analysis.
• Support problem-solving workshops alongside team members.
• Prepare presentation materials to communicate findings.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Currently pursuing a Bachelor degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use. I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.

Job Description

Operational Excellence (OpEx) is a disciplined approach to achieving sustainable improvements in performance by embedding continuous improvement into daily operations. It applies Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving methods to eliminate waste, reduce variation, and streamline processes. More than tools, OpEx builds a culture of accountability and problem-solving, where employees at all levels contribute to delivering value, improving quality, and enabling consistent, reliable, and efficient operations.

Operational Excellence Intern – Summer Internship

The Operational Excellence (OpEx) Summer Intern will gain practical experience in continuous improvement by supporting small projects, data analysis, and process mapping. The internship provides exposure to Lean methodologies, structured problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration while contributing to efficiency and quality improvements across operations.

How You Will Contribute

• Assist with process mapping, workflow documentation, and simple data analysis
• Support problem-solving workshops and Kaizen events alongside OpEx team members
• Prepare presentation materials to communicate findings and recommendations
• Help identify improvement opportunities by observing and documenting current practices
• Contribute to progress tracking and reporting on active OpEx initiatives
• Shadow team members to learn how Lean and Six Sigma are applied in practice

Internship Development Opportunities

• Learn the fundamentals of Lean, Six Sigma, and Operational Excellence tools
• Gain hands-on exposure to process improvement in a real business environment
• Develop skills in data-driven analysis and visualization for decision-making
• Build professional communication and collaboration skills through cross-functional work
• Receive mentorship and feedback from experienced OpEx practitioners

Job Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor degree
• Interest in continuous improvement, process excellence, or problem-solving methods
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Comfortable working in a team-oriented environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, or similar tools (basic data analysis skills a plus)

Internship Eligibility

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a permanent basis without requiring sponsorship
• Must be currently enrolled in a degree program graduating December 2026 or later
• The internship program is 10-12 weeks depending on the two start dates (May 26th-August 14th or June 15th- August 21st)
• The intern must be able to commit to one of these time frames
• Able to work full time 40 hours a week during internship dates
• Takeda does not provide a housing stipend or relocation support for the U.S Summer Internship Program

Program Highlights

• Hands-on experience with real projects and responsibilities
• Dedicated mentorship program pairing interns with experienced professionals
• Networking opportunities with industry professionals and fellow interns
• Internship events focused on professional and skills development
• Exposure to multiple business areas or departments within a Pharmaceutical Organization

Applications will be accepted between November 7 and January 2.

Takeda Compensation And Benefits Summary

We understand compensation may be an important factor as you consider an internship opportunity. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

Location: USA - CA - Thousand Oaks - Rancho Conejo

U.S. Hourly Wage Range
$21.00 - $46.00

The estimated hourly range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual hourly wage offered will depend on the candidate’s school year/level to be entered following completion of internship. The actual hourly wage offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

U.S. internship benefits vary by location and may include:

• Paid sick time
• Civic Duty paid time off
• Participation at company volunteer events
• Participation at company sponsored special events
• Access to on-site fitness center (where available)
• Commuter Benefit: Takeda provides U.S. employees with a fixed monthly subsidy to be used for either public transportation (transit) or parking.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Locations: USA - CA - Thousand Oaks - Rancho Conejo

Worker Type: Employee

Worker Sub-Type: Paid Intern (Fixed Term) (Trainee)

Time Type: Full time

Job Exempt: No