Continuous Improvement Intern: Lean & Industry 4.0

Eaton; Troy Township (IL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Eaton is seeking a Continuous Improvement Intern at the Troy, IL plant to help advance the company’s CI and Industry 4.0 strategy. You’ll work with CI leaders and cross-functional teams to optimize processes, collect data, and drive improvements in productivity and quality.

You will participate in Kaizen events and develop standard work, while applying Lean methods like 5S and value stream mapping. Strong analytical skills and teamwork are essential for success in this hands-on role.

Qualifications

• Actively enrolled in an accredited engineering program (Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related).
• Minimum 2.75 GPA.
• Entering junior year or higher; authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Reside within 50 miles of the Troy, IL Plant (no relocation provided).

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with CI leaders to identify, scope, and execute improvement projects aligned with the Eaton Business System (EBS).
• Collect, analyze, and interpret operational data to support root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Actively participate in Kaizen events and CI workshops to eliminate waste and enhance efficiency.
• Develop and update standard work documentation and visual management tools.
• Deploy Lean methodologies such as 5S, value stream mapping, and TPM to drive sustainable improvements.
• Support Industry 4.0 initiatives, including IoT integration, predictive maintenance, and digital dashboard development.
• Assist in implementing Eaton-approved smart manufacturing technologies for real-time performance monitoring.
• Prepare and deliver clear, data-driven reports and presentations to communicate project progress and outcomes to leadership.

Skills

Lean/Six Sigma/CI methodologies

Industry 4.0 concepts

Analytical problem-solving

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Engineering program (Industrial/Mechanical/Manufacturing)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Tableau/Power BI (data visualization)

Job description

Eaton is seeking a Continuous Improvement Intern at the Troy, IL plant to help advance the company’s CI and Industry 4.0 strategy. You’ll work with CI leaders and cross-functional teams to optimize processes, collect data, and drive improvements in productivity and quality.

You will participate in Kaizen events and develop standard work, while applying Lean methods like 5S and value stream mapping. Strong analytical skills and teamwork are essential for success in this hands-on role.