Reliability Engineer Co-op

Sappi; Cloquet (MN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Sappi Cloquet, established in 1898, invites you to join as a Reliability Engineer Intern/Co-op to support the performance, reliability and longevity of mill assets while learning from experienced professionals in a large manufacturing setting.

You will gain hands-on experience with predictive and preventative maintenance, data collection from vibration, thermography, and other condition-monitoring tools, and work across operations, engineering and maintenance teams.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing or related Engineering field.
• Exposure to or willingness to learn condition-monitoring technologies (e.g., vibration analysis, lubrication, infrared thermography).
• Solid mechanical aptitude with the ability to connect data to physical equipment.
• Strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Self-motivated, curious, and comfortable working in both office and field environments.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office; familiarity with data or maintenance software is a plus.
• The ability to work full-time in this temporary role for approximately 10-15 months is strongly preferred.
• Work authorization in the United States is required. Sappi does not provide sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Support predictive and preventative maintenance activities to improve equipment reliability and uptime.
• Assist in collecting and analyzing data from vibration monitoring, lubrication routes, infrared thermography, ultrasound, and other condition-monitoring technologies.
• Help trend equipment condition data to identify risks, troubleshoot potential issues, and recommend corrective actions.
• Participate in reliability improvement projects such as Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and work management enhancements.
• Partner with operations, engineering, procurement, and maintenance teams to gain exposure to cross-functional problem-solving.
• Support documentation efforts, reporting, and updating reliability databases and KPIs.
• Shadow reliability engineers to learn best practices in inspection, diagnostics, and equipment health management.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Teamwork

Mechanical aptitude

Office to field work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Sappi North America
Sappi Cloquet, established in 1898, produces high-quality graphic papers used in premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising for the fashion, automotive and travel industries, as well as speciality papers. Cloquet manufactures Verve, a dissolving pulp used for the textile and home goods markets. Energy saving and clean water initiatives at Cloquet have won environmental recognition, aligning with the mill's commitment to sustainability.

Join our team as a Reliability Engineer Intern/Co-op and gain hands‑on experience supporting the performance, reliability, and longevity of mill assets. In this role, you’ll work alongside experienced reliability and maintenance professionals to support predictive and preventative maintenance programs using industry‑standard tools and technologies.

This opportunity is ideal for an engineering student who enjoys problem‑solving, learning how complex industrial systems operate, and contributing to reliability improvements in a dynamic, real‑world environment.

The successful candidate will likely start in January or June working full time M-F 8-hour days for a duration of 9-15 months. Candidates with limited availability to 3-4 months (Summer intern) may also be considered.

What You’ll Do

As a Reliability Engineer Intern/Co-op, you will:

• Support predictive and preventative maintenance activities to improve equipment reliability and uptime.
• Assist in collecting and analyzing data from vibration monitoring, lubrication routes, infrared thermography, ultrasound, and other condition‑monitoring technologies.
• Help trend equipment condition data to identify risks, troubleshoot potential issues, and recommend corrective actions.
• Participate in reliability improvement projects such as Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and work management enhancements.
• Partner with operations, engineering, procurement, and maintenance teams to gain exposure to cross‑functional problem‑solving.
• Support documentation efforts, reporting, and updating reliability databases and KPIs.
• Shadow reliability engineers to learn best practices in inspection, diagnostics, and equipment health management.

What We’re Looking For

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing or related Engineering field.
• Exposure to or willingness to learn condition‑monitoring technologies (e.g., vibration analysis, lubrication, infrared thermography).
• Solid mechanical aptitude with the ability to connect data to physical equipment.
• Strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Self‑motivated, curious, and comfortable working in both office and field environments.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office; familiarity with data or maintenance software is a plus.
• The ability to work full‑time in this temporary role for approximately 10-15 months is strongly preferred. However, candidates who are only available for a three‑month summer assignment may also be considered.
• Work authorization in the United States is required. Sappi does not provide sponsorship.

What You’ll Gain

• Real‑world engineering experience in a large manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on exposure to predictive maintenance tools and reliability methodologies.
• Professional mentorship from experienced reliability engineers.
• Opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects that drive operational improvements.
• Development of technical, analytical, and leadership skills applicable to a future engineering career.

Safety-Sensitive Position

This is a safety-sensitive position within a heavy industrial manufacturing environment. Candidates must be able to safely perform the essential functions of the job while working in operational areas that contain magnetic and electromagnetic field exposure, moving equipment, vehicular traffic, elevated work areas, and other industrial hazards.

As a safety-sensitive employer, Sappi maintains a drug-free workplace. Successful candidates for safety-sensitive positionsmust pass all required pre-employment screeningsanddrug testing, which includes testing for marijuana/cannabis.

Salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job.
Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

ABOUT SAPPI

Sappi isa leading global provider of everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we are building a more circular economy by making what we should, not just what we can.