Automation and Controls Engineering Intern

BorgWarner; Royal Pines (NC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with company match

Housing support

Travel reimbursement

Job summary

BorgWarner Arden campus is seeking a hands-on Automation and Controls Engineering Intern to support PLC and HMI/SCADA activities in a high-volume manufacturing environment. You will work with Controls Engineers and Maintenance to maintain, troubleshoot, document, and improve automation systems while building core controls engineering skills.

Responsibilities include assisting with PLC programming, commissioning, validation, and basic networking.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering discipline.
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• Exposure to PLC concepts and logic.

Responsibilities

• Assist PLC programming tasks (tagging, ladder logic, standardized code under review).
• Assist commissioning and validation activities (I/O checks, sensor verification, safety interlock verification).
• Support troubleshooting of automation equipment with mentor.
• Assist with basic industrial networking and device communications checks (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus).
• Document system configurations and troubleshooting notes; help build training materials.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, IT/BRM to support production and reliability.
• Support continuous improvement through data gathering and simple analysis.

Skills

PLC concepts

Schematic reading

Sensors/Actuators

Problem solving

Documentation & communication

MS Office

Programming basics (Python/SQL/C/C++)

HMI/SCADA exposure

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics/Electrical/Automation Engineering or related field

Tools

Job description

Position

Automation and Controls Engineering Intern (Arden, NC, USA)

About Us

BorgWarner is a global product leader in delivering innovative and sustainable mobility solutions. We are a company of innovators and independent thinkers that brings together talented employees, meaningful work and amazing technology in a unique environment. At BorgWarner, we constantly work towards our vision of a clean and energy-efficient world.

BorgWarner promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive environment, honors integrity, strives for excellence, commits to responsibility for our communities and the environment, and builds on the power of collaboration. We believe the health and safety of our employees are a top priority.

Job Purpose

The BorgWarner Arden campus offers two world class technical centers and a cutting-edge manufacturing facility that designs and produces turbos, fan, and fan drive components for the automotive industry. The Arden campus offers a multitude of career opportunities and is in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. We are seeking a controls-focused Automation & Controls Engineering intern to support PLC and HMI/SCADA activities in a high-volume manufacturing environment. This is a hands‑on learning role where you will work alongside Controls Engineers and Maintenance teams to help maintain, troubleshoot, document, and improve industrial automation systems while building strong foundational skills in controls engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with PLC programming tasks such as adding or updating tags, implementing simple ladder logic changes, and supporting standardized code structure under engineering review
• Help with commissioning and validation activities (I/O checks, sensor verification, device addressing, safety interlock verification) and document test results
• Support troubleshooting of automation equipment by collecting symptoms, checking I/O status and alarms, and helping identify root causes with a mentor
• Assist with basic industrial networking and device communications checks (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus) under guidance
• Document system configurations, troubleshooting notes, and standard work instructions; help build training and turnover materials
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Operations, Maintenance, Quality, IT/BRM) to support production, reduce downtime, and improve reliability
• Support continuous improvement activities by gathering data, performing basic analysis, and proposing small enhancements under supervision
• Follow all BorgWarner safety rules and EHS requirements while working around energized equipment and production machinery

What we are looking for

We want you to be:

• Working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Automation Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related engineering discipline
• Having academic or project-based exposure to PLC concepts and logic (Ladder, Function Block, or Structured Text)
• Possessing a basic understanding of sensors, actuators, motors/drives, and control fundamentals
• Ability to read (or learn to read) electrical schematics and follow troubleshooting steps
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite
• Comfort using a laptop and basic tools for commissioning/troubleshooting in a plant environment
• Strong problem‑solving mindset, curiosity, and willingness to learn quickly
• Clear communication skills and ability to document work and follow standard processes

Preferred experience:

• Exposure to PLCs
• Exposure to HMI/SCADA platforms
• Exposure to industrial communications and basic networking concepts
• Basic scripting/programming skills (Python, SQL, C/C++)
• Hands‑on lab or project experience with robotics or motion control

What we offer

All positions start at an above market pay rate for that position. Benefits are also above market and include the below for all student employees:

• Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with a matching program
• All positions are paid opportunities based on college class standing
• Housing support and travel reimbursement according to policy requirements

Join the company that is creating solutions that support a cleaner, more energy-efficient world.