2027 Summer Intern – Manufacturing Paint Process Engineer

General Motors; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors is offering a paint process engineer internship designed for students pursuing engineering degrees. The role emphasizes applying creativity to improve material flow, supporting new processes and equipment, and developing leadership and problem-solving skills in a manufacturing setting.

Interns will learn root-cause analysis, work on continuous improvement, and provide technical support to production teams while prioritizing quality and safety.

Qualifications

• Pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in one of the specified engineering fields.
• Must be graduating between August 2027 and June 2029.
• Able to work full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Must be willing to work in a plant environment.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that assembly processes are maintained to run effectively for engine manufacturing
• Work with other team members on problem solving and continuous improvement initiatives daily
• Collaborating with hourly and salaried employees
• Problem-solve (analyze data, determine root causes, develop implementation plans) and resolve issues which are affecting assembly, quality or throughput
• Actively identify & pursue opportunities to improve operations by reducing cost, reducing energy usage, improve quality, etc.
• Collaborate with production and maintenance personnel
• Resolve issues, implement improvements, and communicate status & opportunities, etc.
• Proposes and evaluates the processes for equipment in production areas
• Provides technical support for manufacturing operations
• Coordinates input from internal/external customers to better understand customer needs and/or perceptions
• Keeps abreast of current product developments and trends in areas of expertise
• Actively identifies new areas for learning and takes advantage of learning opportunities
• Able to assign work to small or large groups of employees

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Collaboration

Integrity

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology

Bachelor’s degree in Controls Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Controls Systems Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering/Materials Science and Manufacturing Engineering

Job description

Job Description

What You’ll Do:

Our plants are the groundwork for GM and a place of innovation. We need paint process engineer interns to utilize their creativity and innovation to develop efficiencies in material flow and support and define implementation of new processes and equipment. These tasks would teach you root causing analysis and problem solving as well as leadership skills to provide technical support and direction to support personnel/skilled trades within the organization. Quality and safety are extremely meaningful to us, so enforcing safe work practices is the highest priority, so you may develop and support safety protocols. There is a high level of analytical ability where problems are unusual and difficult.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure that assembly processes are maintained to run effectively for engine manufacturing
• Work with other team members on problem solving and continuous improvement initiatives daily
• Collaborating with hourly and salaried employees
• Problem-solve (analyze data, determine root causes, develop implementation plans) and resolve issues which are affecting assembly, quality or throughput
• Actively identify & pursue opportunities to improve operations by reducing cost, reducing energy usage, improve quality, etc.
• Collaborate with production and maintenance personnel
• Resolve issues, implement improvements, and communicate status & opportunities, etc.
• Proposes and evaluates the processes for equipment in production areas
• Provides technical support for manufacturing operations
• Coordinates input from internal/external customers to better understand customer needs and/or perceptions
• Keeps abreast of current product developments and trends in areas of expertise
• Actively identifies new areas for learning and takes advantage of learning opportunities
• Able to assign work to small or large groups of employees

Required Qualifications

• Pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas:Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Controls Engineering, Controls Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering/Materials Science and Manufacturing Engineering
• Must be graduating between August 2027 and June 2029
• Able to work full-time, 40 hours per week
• Must be willing to work in a plant environment

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):

• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship management skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with varying levels of the organization
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill complex subjects to a wider audience
• Emerging partnership and collaboration skills and ability to learn from and share knowledge with co-workers in a fast-paced environment
• High level of integrity, ability to deal with ambiguity, takes initiative/self-directed
• Evidence of strong character with integrity, honesty, accountability and trust
• Consistently demonstrates innovative thinking that is customer-centric
• Excellent project management skills and the proven ability to manage multiple projects at any given

GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)

Work Arrangement:

Onsite:

This role is categorized as onsite. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to their assigned facility on a full-time basis.

Each successful candidate will be offered an onsite role at a specific location. Candidate location preferences are considered but cannot be guaranteed.

Job Location:

We have opportunities available in the locations below for this role. Please indicate in your application which of these locations you are interested in.

• Arlington, TX
• Fort Wayne, IN

GM will provide a one-time lump sum taxable stipend payment to eligible students selected for the 2027 Student Program – to help facilitate administration of relocation benefits, please apply using the permanent address you would move from.

Start dates for this internship role are May 24th and June 14th of 2027.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

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Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

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All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

To learn more, visit How we Hire.

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