Engineering Intern, Finishing Process Improvement

Notre Dame; Pulaski (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship and guidance

Networking opportunities

Skill development

Job summary

Notre Dame is offering a summer internship in Virginia focused on Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement. You will learn the Finishing and Heritage manufacturing lines, shadow operators, and support data gathering, time studies, and waste-elimination opportunities.

The program seeks rising juniors/seniors with a 3.0+ GPA, able to work full-time for 12 weeks in Summer 2027, and having reliable transportation to the site.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations, or related field.
• GPA 3.0+ required.
• Available to work full-time for 12 weeks during summer 2027.

Responsibilities

• Learn the Finishing and Heritage manufacturing lines end to end.
• Shadow operators to understand their work and incorporate feedback.
• Comply with safety policies and demonstrate a strong safety mindset.
• Support the Continuous Improvement Engineer with data gathering, analysis, time studies, and identifying waste-elimination opportunities.
• Apply Lean methods (5S, kaizen, 5 Whys, root-cause analysis, fishbone diagrams).
• Draft 2–3 new SOPs or work instructions and update 4–5 existing documents.
• Communicate effectively with audiences from line operators to plant leadership.

Skills

Data analysis

Safety mindset

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering or related field

Anticipated graduation Dec 2027–May 2029

Job description

Your Role

Here’s what you will be doing:

• Learn the Finishing and Heritage manufacturing lines end to end.
• Shadow operators to understand their work, build trust, and incorporate their feedback.
• Comply with all safety policies and demonstrate a strong safety mindset.
• Support the Continuous Improvement Engineer with data gathering, analysis, time studies, and identifying waste-elimination opportunities.
• Apply foundational Lean manufacturing and problem-solving methods such as 5S, kaizen, 5 Whys, root-cause analysis, and fishbone diagrams.
• Draft two to three new standard operating procedures or work instructions and update four to five existing documents.
• Communicate effectively with audiences ranging from line operators to plant leadership.

About You

The company is looking for:

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations, or a related field, with anticipated graduation between December 2027 and May 2029 (rising junior or senior).
• Strong academic performance with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Available to work full-time for 12 weeks during summer 2027.
• Reliable transportation to and from the work location.
• Authorization to work in the United States.
• Strong safety mindset.
• Data-analysis skills and attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills and ability to adapt in a fast-paced, changing industrial environment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly pay range of $20 to $25, depending on experience, skills, and geography.
• Full-time work experience with competitive pay.
• Meaningful projects that have business impact.
• Mentorship and guidance throughout the internship.
• Feedback and evaluation to support growth.
• Exposure to James Hardie culture.
• Networking opportunities and skill development.