Internship Optimization Engineer Jobs in Minnesota

To be considered for employment, candidates must apply online and complete the entire application process. Complete applications are required prior to participating in an interview process

Our internships are designed to prepare you for your career journey, not a final destination. When you join our team, you are welcomed into a community committed to providing you with a safe environment to learn, grow and cultivate your skills. With our expansive learning resources, our well-respected leaders, and our carefully curated development courses, you will be equipped to confidently solve tomorrow's global issues. And, truthfully, our future relies on you. Your innovative minds, your intentional collaboration, and your sincere desire to nourish the world. Your work may be local, but at Cargill, your impact will be global. Join our community to cultivate your curiosity, develop meaningful relationships and propel your career. 

Our Engineering Co-ops have the opportunity to work in one of Cargill's many production facilities located in communities across the United States. These facilities support a variety of Cargill's diverse businesses, including Food North America (Edible Oils, Salt, Beef, Value Added Protein, Starches and Sweeteners, Cocoa and Chocolate), Ag and Trading North America (AGTNA), and our Specialized Portfolio (Cargill BioIndustrial, Beauty, Deicing Technology). In this role, you will gain hands-on experience leading production or maintenance teams, project groups, contractors, or technical operations teams as they execute critical initiatives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. While business processes may vary, the role is designed to provide exposure to both the technical and people-management aspects of engineering.The primary intent of the Engineering Co-op program is to give individuals meaningful experience in technical and leadership responsibilities, helping you explore and develop interest in long-term career opportunities within Cargill.

Our Engineer Co-ops will gain experience in Operations Leadership and/or Maintenance & Reliability Engineering role. What lies ahead as a full-time engineer could be a career path in any of the following:

• Production Management Engineers - Lead people, process, and input/product in a plant environment. They will be involved in day-to-day direct supervision of operators and production activities and participate in daily production management meetings. Engineers will learn how to comprehend and handle all aspects of government regulations and compliance programs including environmental, health, safety, maintenance, and housekeeping. Production Management Engineers typically develop teams of production employees within the first two years of their careers and have responsibility for hiring, scheduling, motivating, and handling employee relation issues. They will also be involved in process optimization, equipment, and process reliability, and may run capital projects
• Environmental Engineers - Work with various teams, processes and assets related to the effective operation of refrigeration, steam, freshwater distribution, hot water, and compressed air systems in a plant environment. As well as the operation of a large-scale Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and be responsible for the programs related to environmental compliance and regulatory permitting. They will be involved in the day-to-day supervision of operators and technicians, have responsibility over their daily work and planning activities. This could include weekly maintenance, capital projects and process improvement
• Process/Project Engineering - Responsible for business case development, vendor selection, budget management, and project management responsibilities for major projects and improvements involving process optimization, safety, quality, infrastructure, and energy use. They have heavy involvement with various innovation processes, idea generation systems, and reliability centered design, and they help implement technical initiatives driven from global Process Development Groups, Centers of Excellence, and Research & Development
• Maintenance & Reliability Engineers - Engage teams, improve processes, and utilize assets related to the effective operation of facility production to ensure downtime and repair costs are minimal. Supervise specialized teams and work activities related to runtime. Lead short- and long-term planning activities including weekly maintenance activities, capital projects and process improvement utilizing tools such as: Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), 5S and 5-Why to the prevention of equipment failures

• With comprehensive learning resources at your disposal, you can take your learning in any direction
• As employees, co-ops receive access to volunteer and community outreach opportunities and paid time off for volunteer activities
• Interns and co-ops are invited to participate in events throughout their intern/co-op that will give exposure to leadership, provide development opportunities, and offer the ability to network with cross-functional interns/co-ops/associates across the U.S

• Co-ops are typically 7-8 months in duration
• Co-ops are paid hourly for time worked
• Co-ops are responsible for transportation to and from work
• Various plant locations across the U.S.- must be open to relocation
• The plant environment is team oriented, fast paced, and hands-on
• Our environment will focus on employee engagement, inclusion, and innovation
• Co-ops are given the opportunity to showcase their skills and gain hands-on experience working on different projects from designing and upgrading current systems, to reviewing and updating plant drawings
• This job involves physical activity which generally requires a moderate amount of exertion on a regular basis - involving bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 50 pounds and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds. The work may also involve other exertions, conditions, or exposures (i.e.- heat, cold, grain dust, etc.)
• Co-ops who demonstrate outstanding performance and a curiosity to learn more may be offered an internship, another co-op or full-time position to return the following year

No matter who you are or where you are, we have resources to meet your needs. As a co-op, you'll have access to a wide variety of programs to support you and help you succeed. Eligible programs and incentives include:

• Paid time off
• Mental Health and Wellbeing program
• Housing and Relocation Assistance for those that qualify

*Minnesota-based employees: Minnesota Sick and Safe Leave accruals of one hour for every 30 worked, up to 48 hours per calendar year unless otherwise provided by law.

The expected hourly rate for this position is $25.70 - $35.50 per hour. Compensation decisions are dependent on graduation date and eligibility for full-time employment

Your development is our priority. With our outstanding global network, you will establish relationships, acquire mentors, and build your professional contacts. Our program encourages and orchestrates networking opportunities that will benefit you now and in your future career. During the co-op, you will also receive consistent support from early careers team, mentors, colleagues, and your supervisor

At Cargill, you will be a part of our vibrant global community with a culture that celebrates diversity. This is a reflection of the clients we serve and generates an intellectually diverse set of employees. Business Resource Groups (BRGs) help us embrace our diversity, make our culture more inclusive and enhance our employees' outstanding talents and perspectives to benefit our organization and employees. Learnmore at:  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. What a difference three words make. | Cargill  

• Various plant locations across the U.S.- must be open to relocation 
• Locations could include: Blair, NE; Kansas City, MO; Sioux City, IA; Fayetteville, NC; Wichita, KS

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's or a master's degree in Chemical Engineering (ChE), BioChemical Engineering (BChE), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Biosystems Engineering (BSE), Agricultural Engineering (AgE), Electrical Engineering (EE), Industrial Engineering (IE), Environmental Engineering, Packaging or other related engineering discipline
• Bachelor's/master's degree to be/recently completed between December 2027 - May 2030
• Right to work in the U.S. that is not based solely on possession of a student visa or a visa sponsored by a third-party employer
• Able to complete a 7-8 month co-op in the Spring and Summer (January-August 2027)
• Candidates must be geographically flexible and willing to relocate for a co-op/internship opportunity anywhere in the U.S
• Proven ability to work optimally with individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds and cultures
• Must possess a high degree of initiative and resourcefulness in completing work with limited guidance

• Previous plant, production, co-op, or intern experience preferred
• Overall 2.7 GPA preferred
• Ability to relate technical knowledge to job-related duties
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and make decisions independently
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Leadership experience