Internship Innovation Scientist Jobs in Virginia

Job Title: Engineering Internship | Manufacturing, Innovation & Operations
Req Id: 3308
Work Model: On-Site
Company: Philip Morris USA
State/Province: Virginia
Job Description:
Turn Your Summer Into Something Bigger
Looking for an internship where engineering, innovation, and real-world problem-solving come together?
At Altria, you'll spend your summer gaining hands-on experience at the intersection of engineering, product development, and manufacturing. Working alongside experienced professionals, you'll contribute to projects that help transform product concepts into scalable manufacturing solutions, improve operational performance, and support the future of manufacturing innovation. You'll gain exposure to how new products, manufacturing technologies, and engineering solutions are developed, evaluated, and implemented to create real business impact.
This is where engineering, innovation, and continuous improvement come together.
This isn't an internship where you'll spend your summer observing from the sidelines. You'll work on meaningful projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and apply what you've learned in the classroom to real-world challenges. Along the way, you'll build valuable skills, gain exposure to industry leaders, and see how engineering helps drive business results.
What You'll Do
As an Engineering Intern, you'll work alongside professionals across manufacturing and operations to support projects that improve efficiency, reliability, and performance.
Throughout the summer, you'll have opportunities to:

• Work on real-world projects that help solve manufacturing, commercialization, and operational challenges.
• Apply your academic knowledge to projects focused on execution, process development, manufacturing scale-up, continuous improvement, and innovation.
• Support efforts to translate product requirements into engineered manufacturing solutions.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing processes and operational effectiveness.
• Utilize data analysis, engineering methods, modeling, and simulation tools to support technical decision making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product developers, scientists, manufacturing engineers, operations teams, and business partners to develop and implement solutions.
• Document project outcomes and present findings and recommendations to senior leaders.
• Gain exposure to areas such as Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering and Manufacturing Technology Development, Commercialization, Automation & Process Controls Engineering, Equipment Reliability & Maintenance, Modeling & Simulation, Manufacturing Operations, Logistics, Utilities & Facilities Engineering, and Quality Systems.

Skills You'll Build
This internship is a great fit for students who enjoy solving problems, improving processes, and turning ideas into action.
Throughout the summer, you'll build skills that can help you stand out in the classroom, during future internships, and throughout your career.
You'll gain experience in areas like:

• Engineering problem-solving
• Process improvement
• Manufacturing operations
• Manufacturing process design
• Machine design & automation
• Product development and commercialization
• Manufacturing scale-up
• Data analysis and decision-making
• Modeling and simulation
• Continuous improvement methodologies
• Project planning and execution
• Process optimization
• Technical communication
• Executive presentations
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Leadership and influence

You'll also strengthen your ability to identify opportunities, evaluate technical and business tradeoffs, apply engineering fundamentals to complex challenges, and make recommendations that drive business results.
The Experience
This is more than a summer internship.
Depending on project assignments, you may support initiatives ranging from manufacturing operations and process improvement to commercialization, process development, manufacturing technology evaluation, equipment design, and modeling & simulation. This broad exposure and hands-on experience will provide you the understanding of how engineering supports the full product lifecycle, from concept development through commercial manufacturing execution.
You'll work alongside experienced engineers, operations professionals, and business leaders while contributing to meaningful projects that impact manufacturing and operational performance.
Located in Richmond, Virginia, this internship provides the opportunity to be part of a collaborative team that values innovation, learning, and continuous improvement.
What You'll Gain Along the Way
We believe internships should help you build confidence, connections, and skills that extend far beyond a single summer.
As an Engineering Intern, you'll gain:

• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing and operations environment.
• Opportunities to work with world-class teams and experienced professionals.
• Mentorship from leaders invested in your growth and development.
• Access to learning and development resources designed to strengthen your skills.
• Exposure to challenging projects with real business impact.
• The opportunity to explore multiple, potential career paths across manufacturing, operations, commercialization, product & process development, quality, logistics, and manufacturing technology development.

Our engineers help bridge the gap between product innovation and manufacturing execution. Engineers play a critical role in transforming ideas into scalable and sustainable business solutions. You will gain exposure to this broad engineering ecosystem while contributing to meaningful work that drives innovation and operational excellence.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for students who are curious, innovative, and excited to apply what they're learnings to real-world challenges.
You might be a great fit if you:

• Like solving problems and improving how things work
• Enjoy working with data, processes, and technology
• Are naturally curious and eager to learn
• Communicate effectively and collaborate well with others
• Take initiative and enjoy tackling new challenges
• Thrive in environments that value teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Rising junior or senior currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer/Electrical Engineering, Industrial & Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Preferred minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent experience.
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated leadership experience is preferred.
• Ability to work on-site in Richmond, Virginia.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Where You'll Work
This internship is based in Richmond, Virginia, where you'll work on-site with teams focused on manufacturing, engineering, operations, and innovation. You'll gain firsthand experience in a dynamic manufacturing environment while collaborating with professionals who are shaping the future of operations.
Your Future Starts Here
If you're excited about engineering, innovation, manufacturing, and solving real-world challenges, this internship is an opportunity to learn by doing.
You'll gain hands-on experience, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to projects that help drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. Along the way, you'll develop skills, confidence, and experiences that can help launch your career after graduation.
Apply today and spend your summer helping build what's next.
Together We Innovate. Together We Change.
Altria is a Fortune 500 company that has a leading portfolio of products for U.S. adult tobacco and nicotine consumers 21+. For decades we've been leaders in the tobacco industry, but the industry is evolving - and so are we. Our Vision is Moving Beyond Smoking™.
At Altria, we celebrate the power of diverse teams working together to shape our future. Each Altria company is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing individuals with criminal records, including formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals with conviction records, a fair chance at employment. Join us as we work together to shape a better future for adult tobacco consumers, our employees, and our shareholders.
Altria is the parent company of Philip Morris USA, John Middleton, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, Helix Innovations, and NJOY. Altria complements its tobacco portfolio with equity investments in Anheuser-Busch InBev and Cronos Group.
Learn more about Altria at www.altria.com and follow us on LinkedIn.