Copolymers Engineer Intern

Trinseo • Midland, MI

45d

About The Position

Trinseo is a different kind of global materials company – at the intersection of people, technology, and customers. We are a world leader in the production of plastics and latex binders. Our culture is built on passion and innovation. A career at Trinseo presents a unique opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment. Helping customers solve their most complex material challenges is the reason we come to work each day. We are seeking innovative thinkers – ready to tackle any challenge and passionate about delivering value. As a global materials solutions provider focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to our customers, we need people to feel respected and included so they can be more creative, innovative, and successful. We strive to create workplaces that reflect all communities and customers we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. That's why we're fully committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience to drive us forward every day. Overview (Scope of Role) Trinseo is always seeking innovative thinkers, ready to tackle any challenge and passionate about delivering value. If you have these characteristics, we would like to hear from you. We are seeking a motivated Chemical/Plastics Manufacturing Engineering Intern to join our team for the Summer 2026. This role is ideal for students pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Materials Science, or related disciplines who are interested in hands‑on industrial experience. The intern will support process improvement initiatives, manufacturing operations, and product quality in a chemical and plastics production environment.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in: o Chemical Engineering o Plastics Engineering o Polymer Engineering o Materials Science o Mechanical Engineering with relevant experience o Or a related engineering discipline
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and on cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and documentation abilities.
• Comfort working in an industrial or laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with thermoplastics, polymer processing, chemical unit operations, or manufacturing principles is a plus.

Nice To Haves

• Prior internship or co‑op in manufacturing, chemicals, or plastics.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or statistical process control (SPC).
• Experience with CAD tools, process simulation software, or laboratory instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Assist engineers with daily plant operations, troubleshooting, and optimization of chemical/plastics manufacturing processes.
• Participate in data collection, process monitoring, and performance analysis.
• Support root-cause investigations for process deviations or equipment issues.
• Contribute to summer engineering projects focused on safety, quality, throughput, sustainability, or cost savings.
• Perform lab-scale or pilot-scale experiments to support process development and material characterization.
• Assist in implementing process improvements or equipment upgrades on the production floor.
• Support quality testing procedures and documentation for raw materials, intermediates, and finished products.
• Develop or update standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and process maps.
• Participate in safety audits, hazard assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze production data, create reports, and communicate findings to engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Utilize statistical tools to evaluate process capability and identify trends.
• Assist with updating process documentation, mass balances, and engineering drawings.

Benefits

• Hands‑on experience in real-world chemical and plastics manufacturing operations.
• Mentorship from engineering and operations professionals.
• Exposure to safety culture, quality systems, and continuous improvement methodology.
• Opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects with business impact.
• Competitive compensation and networking opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern