Aerospace Manufacturing Intern: Lean & Process Improvement

AeroVironment, Inc.; Pottstown (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Housing stipend

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Intern to support the design and operation of manufacturing systems across AV Unmanned Aircraft platforms.

You will work under experienced manufacturing engineers to analyze production processes, help optimize workflows, and contribute to continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma principles. This 12-week onsite program is open to students currently enrolled in college or recent graduates, with relocation/housing stipends possible

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Some coursework or experience related to manufacturing, process improvement, or quality control.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles is a plus.
• Basic knowledge of electro-mechanical manufacturing, technical drawings, and Bill of Materials is preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); experience with Visio, Minitab, or CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) is a plus.
• Ability to travel occasionally to supplier sites (up to 10%)

Responsibilities

• Assist in supporting and improving manufacturing processes with a focus on efficiency and quality.
• Help implement Lean Manufacturing principles and apply Six Sigma methods to support continuous improvement efforts.
• Analyze production data such as yields, capacity, cost, and process capability to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support establishment and documentation of standard work hours, sequences, and assembly procedures.
• Help generate and update work instructions and other documentation controlling manufacturing processes.
• Participate in root cause analysis and problem-solving activities related to materials, design, equipment, and personnel.
• Assist in manufacturing capacity planning and factory layout design for improved efficiency.
• Support cost estimation activities for new tooling, fixtures, and production equipment.
• Collaborate with design engineering teams on Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and reliability analysis.
• Participate in cross‑functional improvement projects involving engineering and suppliers to enhance cost, cycle time, and quality.
• Support Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Process FMEA (PFMEA) activities
• Provide input to engineering regarding manufacturing considerations for design concepts and specifications.
• Gain hands‑on experience supporting production floor activities, including assembly and integration processes.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

MS Office

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Visio

Minitab

CAD software (SolidWorks)

Job description

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Intern to support the design and operation of manufacturing systems across AV Unmanned Aircraft platforms.

You will work under experienced manufacturing engineers to analyze production processes, help optimize workflows, and contribute to continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma principles. This 12-week onsite program is open to students currently enrolled in college or recent graduates, with relocation/housing stipends possible