Manufacturing Engineering Intern

Jobtailor; Alabama; On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment is seeking a motivated engineering student for a role focused on manufacturing systems support and process improvement. You will assist with analyzing production data, shaping workflows, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives aligned with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

The position involves collaboration with design and manufacturing teams, exposure to DFMEA/PFMEA concepts, and potential travel to supplier sites up to 10%.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering with a 3.0+ GPA.
• Exposure to manufacturing, process improvement or quality control concepts.
• Familiarity with Lean/Six Sigma principles is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support design and operation of manufacturing systems for AeroVironment products.
• Assist in analyzing production processes and data to identify improvements.
• Help optimize workflows and contribute to cost and quality improvements using Lean and Six Sigma.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Root Cause Analysis

Data Analysis

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Communication

Task Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Mechanical Engineering

GPA 3.0

Tools

Visio

Minitab

CAD Software

SolidWorks

Job description

Responsibilities

• Support the design and operation of manufacturing systems for AeroVironment unmanned air vehicles
• Assist in analyzing production processes and data
• Help optimize manufacturing workflows and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles
• Support and improve manufacturing processes with a focus on efficiency and quality
• Analyze production yields, capacity, cost, and process capability to identify improvement opportunities
• Support establishment and documentation of standard work hours, sequences, and assembly procedures
• Generate and update work instructions and manufacturing process documentation
• Participate in root cause analysis and problem‑solving activities involving materials, design, equipment, and personnel
• Assist with manufacturing capacity planning and factory layout design
• Support cost estimation for new tooling, fixtures, and production equipment
• Collaborate with design engineering teams on Design for Manufacturing and reliability analysis
• Participate in cross‑functional improvement projects with engineering and suppliers
• Support DFMEA and PFMEA activities
• Provide manufacturing input on design concepts and specifications
• Support production floor assembly and integration activities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, or a related engineering field
• Some coursework or experience related to manufacturing, process improvement, or quality control
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles is a plus
• Basic knowledge of electro‑mechanical manufacturing, technical drawings, and Bill of Materials is preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience with Visio, Minitab, or CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) is a plus
• Ability to travel occasionally to supplier sites (up to 10%)
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills
• Interest in root cause analysis and continuous improvement techniques
• Effective teamwork and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment
• Currently enrolled in college or a recent graduate
• Ability to work onsite
• U.S. person status documentation required for ITAR/EAR access; some positions may require current U.S. citizenship

Core Competencies

Demonstrates capabilities in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to optimize manufacturing workflows and improve production processes. Proficient in analyzing production data and collaborating with engineering teams to enhance design for manufacturing.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• Root Cause Analysis
• Manufacturing Process Documentation
• Microsoft Office

Hard Skills

• Manufacturing Process Improvement
• Electro‑Mechanical Manufacturing
• Technical Drawings
• Bill of Materials
• Data Analysis
• Capacity Planning
• Cost Estimation
• DFMEA
• PFMEA
• Continuous Improvement Techniques

Soft Skills

• Problem‑Solving
• Analytical Skills
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Task Management

Industry Keywords

• Manufacturing Systems
• Production Processes
• Quality Control
• Design for Manufacturing
• Factory Layout Design

Tools & Technologies

• Visio
• Minitab
• CAD Software
• SolidWorks