Intern

The Jel Sert Company; West Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jel Sert Company invites applications for an Engineering Intern in the Spring of 2027. You will support the Project Engineer and provide technical and administrative leadership across Assets Management, Capital Management, and Manufacturing Technology enhancements.

The internship spans about 11 weeks, from May to August 2027, with 40 hours per week depending on school schedule. Typical duties include budgeting, equipment evaluation, vendor coordination, and project documentation, with a

Qualifications

• Actively pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Chemical, Food, or related field).
• Financial & Analytical Aptitude: Strong interest or basic coursework in project budgeting and cost-benefit analysis.
• Food Safety Commitment: Willingness to learn, respect, and enforce strict food manufacturing safety standards, specifically SQF and GMP guidelines.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and financial tracking; familiarity with basic data visualization or project management software is a plus.
• Professional Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills for collaborating with floor operators, vendors, and plant leadership.

Responsibilities

• Partner with engineering leadership to define project scope, prepare detailed capital budgets, and establish feasible project schedules.
• Conduct technical evaluations to identify, analyze, and select manufacturing equipment that aligns with business needs.
• Collaborate with external vendors and contractors to ensure equipment specifications and business objectives are achieved.
• Assist in drafting critical engineering check-out, FAT/SAT, and Start-up/Validation documents.
• Execute hands-on engineering activities focused on continuous improvement, waste reduction, and line efficiency across the production floor.
• Organize and facilitate project team meetings and keep cross-functional stakeholders aligned on timelines.

Skills

Data analysis

Professional communication

Cross-functional facilitation

Project budgeting understanding

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Jel Sert Company marks a major milestone this year, 100 years of success, innovation, and industry leadership. The Jel Sert Company has focused on creating high-quality, high-value foods and beverages that help bring people together. Jel Sert is proud to have been awarded the Great Place to Work certification and recognized as the Best Workplace to Work in Chicago and a Best Workplace in Manufacturing and Production. We are currently looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join our team in the Spring of 2027 as an ENGINEERING INTERN.

If you are looking for a work environment that encourages personal growth, responsibility, and a shared vision for creating incredible products that help create lasting memories, then Jel Sert wants you!

In this role, you will support the Project Engineer while providing technical and administrative leadership in various business areas, including, but not limited to: Assets Management, Capital Management, Change & Improvement of Manufacturing Technology, and Change & Improvement of Facilities/Utilities.

This internship will ideally be an 11-week program, working 40 hours per week, starting in May 2027 and running through August 2027, depending on continued need for the role and performance. The specific dates will be determined once the right qualified candidate is identified and dates coordinated around your school schedule.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• CAR Proposal Support: Partner with engineering leadership to define project scope, prepare detailed capital budgets, and establish achievable project schedules.
• Technical Design Analysis: Conduct technical evaluations to identify, analyze, and select manufacturing equipment that directly aligns with business needs.
• Vendor & Contractor Management: Collaborate directly with external vendors and contractors to ensure equipment specifications and business objectives are achieved.
• Technical Documentation: Assist in drafting critical engineering check-out, Equipment Acceptance Testing (FAT/SAT), and Start-up/Validation documents.
• Plant Operations Support: Execute hands-on engineering activities focused on continuous improvement, waste reduction, and line efficiency across the production floor.
• Cross-Functional Facilitation: Organize, support, and actively facilitate project team meetings and meeting minutes to keep cross-functional stakeholders aligned on timelines.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, the individual must maintain confidentiality and be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Education: Actively pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Chemical, Food, or related field) from an accredited university.
• Financial & Analytical Aptitude: Strong interest or basic coursework in project budgeting and cost-benefit analysis.
• Food Safety Commitment: Willingness to learn, respect, and enforce strict food manufacturing safety standards, specifically SQF and GMP guidelines.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and financial tracking; familiarity with basic data visualization or project management software is a plus.
• Professional Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills for collaborating with floor operators, vendors, and plant leadership.

KEY NEED TO KNOWS

• We are located in the Chicago Metro area, specifically in the western suburbs, about 35 miles West of the city of Chicago. We are NOT downtown Chicago.
• Must have own transportation and housing; relocation or temporary relocation not provided.
• Required to travel between our Headquarters and our Distribution/Production facilities, which are both located in West Chicago.
• Must be able to provide eligibility to work in the USA through proper channels of completing an I-9 form with proper documentation.
• Continuation of this internship depends on one's performance and the continued need for someone in the role.
• Pay is based on the level of education you have completed through May 2027, such as the year you will be starting after the completion of the spring 2027 semester.