Summer 2027 Quality Intern

Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company

Winston-Salem (NC)

On-site

USD 48,000 - 77,000

Part time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability

Paid Time Off

Education Assistance

Employee Recognition Programs

Relocation assistance (site-specific)

Job summary

Progress Rail is seeking a Quality Systems Intern to join our Winston Salem plant. You will support the Quality team with data analysis, documentation, and hands-on activities to maintain ISO and AAR compliance and drive continuous improvement.

The internship requires pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Engineering with a minimum 3.0 GPA, the ability to read drawings, strong communication skills, and comfort working in a manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

Reading and interpreting part drawings.
Strong written and verbal communication.
Ability to collaborate across levels of the organization.
Full-time availability, 40 hours/week.
Willing to work in a plant environment.
Proficient with Microsoft Office and PowerBI.

Responsibilities

Support creation and maintenance of quality dashboards, reports, and trend analyses.
Assist in document control, record management, and internal auditing activities.
Participate in ISO 9001 and AAR M 1003 compliance activities.
Contribute to corrective action initiatives.

Skills

Reading drawings

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Full-time availability (40 h/wk)

Plant environment readiness

Microsoft Office / PowerBI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

GPA 3.0/4.0 minimum

Tools

SharePoint

Visio

PowerPoint

Excel

PowerBI

Job description

Job Purpose

Interns - Quality Systems Intern will support the Quality team through data analysis, documentation, and hands on plant activities. The role will contribute to maintaining compliance with ISO and AAR quality system requirements while assisting in continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Req ID

12241BR

Region

United States

City

Winston Salem

State

North Carolina

Company Description

Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting-edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.

Key Job Elements

Quality Data & Analysis

Support creation and maintenance of quality dashboards, reports, and trend analyses.

Quality System Compliance (ISO & AAR)

Support document control, record management, and internal auditing activities aligned with ISO 9001 and AAR M 1003 standards.
Assist in maintaining quality procedures, work instructions, and other controlled documentation.
Participate in corrective action

Education / Training

Pursuit of a Bachelor's degree in one of the following areas: Engineering
Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0/4.0 ("B" average).

Qualifications And Experience

Required:

Proficient in reading part drawings and interpretation of part measurements.
Outstanding interpersonal and relationship management skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with varying levels of the organization.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill complex subjects to a wider audience.
Able to work fulltime, 40 hours per week.
Willing to work in a plant environment.
Knowledge of Microsoft applications (Sharepoint, Visio, Powerpoint, Excel, PowerBI).
High level of integrity, ability to deal with ambiguity, takes initiative/self-directed.

Preferred:

Emerging partnership and collaboration skills and ability to learn from and share knowledge with co-workers in a fast-paced environment.
Consistently demonstrates innovative thinking that is customer-centric.
Excellent project management skills and the proven ability to manage multiple projects at any given.
Experience in a manufacturing environment.

Essential Physical Activities Functions

Strength – Position requires lifting of 50lbs. Requires stamina and strength to work in tight and confined spaces while installing or repair machinery and components.
Motion –Position requires standing the majority of the day. Frequent walking, squatting, kneeling, and climbing steps and stairs.
Vision/Hearing Requirements – Exposed to high levels of noise and vibration from using tools. Position is exposed to cutting torches and welding operations. The use of proper PPE is required. The Position requires the ability to read QWI and schematics and understand instructions.
Work Environment – Position can be located inside or outside, dependent on situation. When inside, the employees are subject to temperature extremes in non-temperature-controlled environments. When outside employees are subject to all weather elements. Employees will work with oil and other lubricants.
Emotional Demands – Expected to work and cooperate as part of team in order to meet production requirements.
Safety – Position is safety sensitive, as it requires working in and around live tracks and operation and repair of heavy equipment. Position requires strict adherence to safety policies (i.e., blue flag) and use of all PPE.

Benefits

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Progress Rail.**

Competitive Salary
401(k) plan with up to 6% company match (no waiting period with immediate vesting)
Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
Supplemental Accident, Critical Care, and Hospital Insurance available along with an HDHP and HSA with seed money
Flexible Spending Accounts
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Paid Time-Off (PTO)
Employee Assistance Plan
Education Assistance Program
Employee Recognition Programs
Site specific Production and Incentive Plans
Site specific Step and Skill Level Wage Adjustment Plans
Site Specific Relocation and Sign-on Bonus Programs
Benefits eligibility varies by job position, full-time/part-time and regular/temporary status. The provisions of the plan documents control such benefits.
Subject to position, eligibility, and plan guidelines. EEO Progress Rail is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.