Manufacturing Operations Intern

Thinklance LLP; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Coaching & mentorship

Workshops & networking

Plant operations exposure

Career growth opportunity

Job summary

Thinklance LLP in Aurora, IL offers a 12-week paid summer internship in manufacturing operations. You will own a project addressing a real business challenge, collect and analyze data, and present findings to leadership.

You’ll work onsite with cross-functional teams and contractors to support project execution. You are an undergraduate student in engineering or operations with expected graduation in Dec 2027 or May/Jun 2028, with strong written communication and MS Office skills.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, or related field with expected graduation Dec 2027 or May/Jun 2028.
• Strong written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-starter with ability to work independently.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to perform arithmetic operations and interpret bar graphs.

Responsibilities

• Own a manufacturing operations project addressing a relevant business challenge and present findings and recommendations to leadership
• Support projects throughout the lifecycle, from concept development and planning through implementation
• Collect and analyze data, evaluate processes, and recommend solutions to improve safety, quality, cost, reliability, or efficiency
• Assist with project scope, schedules, budgets, documentation, equipment specifications, and implementation activities
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, safety, and other cross-functional partners
• Work with contractors and vendors to support project execution and technical problem-solving
• Apply engineering and operations principles to real manufacturing challenges while learning company processes, standards, and continuous improvement practices
• Participate fully in program activities, development workshops, networking events, and intern presentations

Skills

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Self-starter

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Data interpretation (rates, ratios, +1

Education

Undergraduate student pursuing bachelor's in engineering/related field

Job description

Your Role

Here’s what you will be doing:

• Own a manufacturing operations project addressing a relevant business challenge and present findings and recommendations to leadership


• Support projects throughout the lifecycle, from concept development and planning through implementation and completion


• Collect and analyze data, evaluate processes, and recommend solutions to improve safety, quality, cost, reliability, or efficiency


• Assist with project scope, schedules, budgets, documentation, equipment specifications, and implementation activities


• Collaborate with engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, safety, and other cross-functional partners


• Work with contractors and vendors to support project execution and technical problem-solving


• Apply engineering and operations principles to real manufacturing challenges while learning company processes, standards, and continuous improvement practices


• Participate fully in program activities, development workshops, networking events, and intern presentations

About You

The company is looking for:

• Current undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, or related field with anticipated graduation in December 2027 or May/June 2028


• Clear written communication and strong interpersonal skills


• Self-starter and highly motivated individual with ability to work independently


• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)


• Ability to perform arithmetic operations in all units of measure, compute rate, ratio, percent, and interpret bar graphs

Compensation & Benefits

• Paid 12-week summer internship with hands-on experience in engineering and manufacturing operations


• Ownership of a meaningful project culminating in a presentation to leadership


• Coaching, mentorship, and regular feedback from company leaders and professionals


• Professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and social events with intern cohort


• Exposure to plant operations, cross-functional teams, contractors, and vendors


• Opportunity to be considered for a full-time role after graduation based on performance and business need


• Compensation range of $22 - $25 per hour

This opportunity is based onsite at the manufacturing facility in Aurora, IL.