Optimization Intern Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Company: Thern
Location: Winona, MN (Onsite)
Job Title: Industrial Engineering Intern

Manufacturing Operations | Process Improvement | Continuous Improvement

Department: Operations
Reports To: Operations Excellence Manager
Employment Type: Part-Time Internship
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Launch Your Engineering Career with Real Manufacturing Experience

Are you an Industrial Engineering student who wants more than classroom theory?

This internship is designed for students who want hands-on exposure to real manufacturing operations, process improvement projects, continuous improvement initiatives, and operational problem-solving inside an active production environment.

We are seeking a motivated Industrial Engineering Intern to work directly with our Operations Excellence Manager supporting projects focused on:

• Process optimization
• Workflow efficiency
• Ergonomics
• Manufacturing flow
• Continuous improvement
• Operational safety

This is an opportunity to gain meaningful experience that directly impacts manufacturing operations while working alongside experienced professionals in the field.

If you enjoy solving problems, analyzing processes, and improving efficiency, this internship will give you practical experience that stands out after graduation.

Internship Details

• Internship may begin immediately
• Internship duration: 3–6 months based on performance and business needs
• During school sessions: approximately 10–20 hours per week
• Additional hours available during school breaks and summer periods

What You’ll Gain
Real-World Engineering Experience

• Hands-on manufacturing and operations exposure
• Practical process improvement experience
• Continuous improvement project involvement
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing environments

Professional Development

• Mentorship from experienced operations and manufacturing professionals
• Opportunity to present findings and recommendations to leadership
• Resume-building project experience
• Exposure to safety, ergonomics, and production optimization initiatives

Meaningful Impact

You won’t just observe — you’ll actively contribute to projects that improve:

• Efficiency
• Productivity
• Workflow
• Safety
• Quality

What You’ll Do

• Conduct time studies to validate and improve process efficiency
• Analyze workflow and production processes to identify improvement opportunities
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across operations
• Assist with process optimization and manufacturing flow analysis
• Collaborate with operational and production teams on improvement projects
• Document findings and prepare reports for leadership review
• Help improve ergonomics, safety, and operational effectiveness

What We’re Looking For

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in:
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Operations Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Or related engineering discipline
• Must currently be at least a Junior
• Recent graduates will also be considered
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Detail-oriented mindset with critical thinking skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to analyze processes and interpret data accurately
• Interest in manufacturing, operations, Lean principles, and continuous improvement

Preferred (Not Required)

• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing principles
• Familiarity with manufacturing or production environments
• Coursework involving operations analysis, workflow optimization, or process engineering

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to stand and move throughout manufacturing facilities for extended periods
• Ability to bend, reach, and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds
• Comfortable working in production environments with noise, heat, and moving equipment
• Ability to wear required PPE including:
• Safety glasses
• Steel-toe shoes

Why Students Love This Internship

• Direct exposure to real manufacturing operations
• Hands-on engineering project work
• Strong mentorship and leadership visibility
• Opportunity to apply classroom concepts in real-world settings
• Valuable experience for future engineering and operations careers
• Opportunity to contribute meaningful improvements, not just observe

Alternate Titles

• Industrial Engineering Intern
• Manufacturing Engineering Intern
• Operations Engineering Intern
• Continuous Improvement Intern
• Process Improvement Intern
• Lean Manufacturing Intern
• Operations Excellence Intern
• Engineering Co-Op

Keywords
industrial engineering internship, engineering intern, manufacturing internship, industrial engineering student, continuous improvement internship, lean manufacturing intern, process improvement internship, operations engineering internship, manufacturing engineering intern, engineering co-op, operations excellence internship, process optimization, time studies, workflow analysis, ergonomics, manufacturing operations, engineering student jobs, college engineering internship, engineering summer internship

EEOC Statement: We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.