Manufacturing Engineering Co-Op

BAY CAST FOUNDRY, LLC; Bay City (MI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Bay Cast Technologies, LLC seeks a Manufacturing Engineering Co-op to provide hands-on support to engineering and operations. You will participate in process improvement initiatives, data collection, SOP writing, and shop-floor collaboration to strengthen manufacturing processes and quality.

The role offers real‑world experience through involvement in continuous improvement projects and practical, in‑plant teamwork with supervisors and operators.

Qualifications

• Must be a full‑time student pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum GPA of 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale).
• Ability to work 20+ hours per week during the academic semester.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical, communication, and technical writing skills.
• CAD experience (SolidWorks preferred) is a plus.
• Comfortable working in an industrial/manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Support engineering and operations teams with process improvement initiatives, production support activities, and hands‑on improvement projects within the assigned department (steel foundry or machine shop).
• Assist with data collection, analysis, documentation, and writing/updating work instructions and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Participate in hands‑on plant activities, including shop‑floor observations, collaboration with supervisors and operators, and support of quality and cost improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying inefficiencies, proposing practical solutions, and supporting implementation efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Data analysis

Documentation

Technical writing

Microsoft Excel

Communication

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Materials Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

The Manufacturing Engineering Co-op provides hands‑on support to the engineering and operations team at Bay Cast Technologies, LLC. This position offers practical, real‑world experience through participation in process improvement initiatives, production support activities, and continuous improvement projects, while working directly with shop‑floor personnel to strengthen manufacturing processes, documentation, and quality.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support engineering and operations teams with process improvement initiatives, production support activities, and hands‑on improvement projects within the assigned department (steel foundry or machine shop).
• Assist with data collection, analysis, documentation, and writing/updating work instructions and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Participate in hands‑on plant activities, including shop‑floor observations, collaboration with supervisors and operators, and support of quality and cost improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying inefficiencies, proposing practical solutions, and supporting implementation efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be a full‑time student pursuing a degree (2‑year or 4‑year) in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum GPA of 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale).
• Ability to work 20+ hours per week during the academic semester.
• Proficient in Microsoft products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Strong analytical, communication, and technical writing skills.
• CAD experience (SolidWorks preferred) is a plus.
• Comfortable working in an industrial/manufacturing environment.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the shop floor for extended periods to observe operations and collect data.
• Ability to sit at a computer workstation for extended periods while analyzing data and preparing documentation.
• Ability to bend, reach, and occasionally lift materials (up to 25 lbs) as needed to support plant activities.

Work Environment

Work is performed both in an office setting and on the manufacturing shop floor, with exposure to machinery, heat, dust, metal stock, and noise typical of a machine shop environment. Required to follow all established safety protocols and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required in shop areas.