Industrial Engineering Intern

TRDI • JBSA Lackland AFB, TX

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The Industrial Engineering Internship at TRDI offers hands-on experience in improving processes across grounds maintenance, landscaping/tree care, custodial services, food services, and minor construction projects. This internship provides hands on exposure to operational analysis, quality control, and compliance in a multi site service environment. Interns will assist with data collection, workflow documentation, and improvement initiatives under the guidance of experienced engineers and project managers.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or related field.
• Basic knowledge of process improvement tools and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to work in both office and field environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with diverse teams.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Lean/Six Sigma concepts (Green Belt coursework a plus).
• Interest in facilities management, grounds maintenance, or custodial operations.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Data Collection & Analysis Conduct time studies and collect productivity data for grounds, custodial, and food service tasks. Assist in route optimization and crew balancing exercises using provided templates.
• Process Documentation Help create standard work instructions, visual job aids, and checklists for recurring tasks. Update asset logs and preventive maintenance records in TRDI’s CMMS system.
• Quality & Compliance Support Participate in site inspections and audits; record findings and assist with corrective action tracking. Verify documentation for safety protocols, PPE usage, and chemical handling compliance.
• Continuous Improvement Projects Support kaizen events and brainstorming sessions for efficiency improvements. Prepare simple KPI dashboards and weekly summary reports for supervisors.
• Cross‑Contract Process Optimization Perform field studies (time‑motion, crew balance, route and layout analysis) to standardize tasks and set takt/beat rates for recurring activities (e.g., mowing, edging, pruning, floor care turns, dining hall flows). Create Standard Work with visual work instructions, checklists, and job aids; establish daily/weekly work plans aligned to each contract’s PWS and service level standards. Facilitate kaizen/rapid improvement events to remove bottlenecks, reduce travel and idle time, and improve equipment utilization.
• Grounds Maintenance & Landscaping Translate PWS service levels (e.g., mowing frequency and height limits; edging/trimming cadence; aeration, de‑thatching, fertilization schedules) into executable work standards and inspection criteria. Optimize mowing routes using crew/equipment capacity, acreage mix, and terrain; set productivity baselines and trigger thresholds for corrective action.
• Arboriculture & Vegetation Control Ensure tree pruning and ornamental tree maintenance is performed by certified arborists and that all arboricultural operations follow OSHA and ANSI Z133 safe‑work practices. Verify that pesticide/herbicide applicators possess the State of Texas certifications required by contract; maintain licensing records and training logs. Develop task plans (e.g., crown raising, structural pruning, hazard limb removal) with risk controls, equipment lists, and debris handling workflows.
• Custodial/Housekeeping Operations Align custodial processes and audits to industry frameworks (e.g., ISSA CIMS ), customer scorecards, and internal QC plans; build sampling plans and control charts for key areas (restrooms, floors, touch points). Standardize floor care cycles (strip, scrub, burnish), PDPs, and inspection routes; reduce rework through root‑cause analysis and targeted training.
• Food Services Support Map service flows (receiving, prep, line service, sanitation, waste streams); set labor standards per meal period; optimize back‑of‑house layouts for safety and efficiency. Implement temperature‑control checks, cleaning schedules, and HACCP‑aligned routines as contract requirements dictate.
• Safety & Compliance Partner with Safety to develop Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs) and pre‑task plans; ensure PPE, equipment guarding, and lockout/tagout procedures are implemented where applicable. Conduct field audits for arboriculture, pesticide application, equipment operation, and custodial chemical handling, close compliance gaps with training and procedural updates.
• Subcontractor & Workforce Optimization Define subcontractor scopes and measurable deliverables (e.g., tree service, berm maintenance) aligned to PWS; support RFQ development and technical reviews. Model staffing levels, shift patterns, and crew mixes; establish productivity baselines and incentives; assist HR/PMs with onboarding and cross‑training plans.
• Asset, Fleet & Equipment Efficiency Use TRDI’s asset templates/CMMS to capture equipment data (utilization, PM adherence, downtime) and drive repair‑vs‑replace decisions. Coordinate with Fleet/Telematics providers to reduce idle time, optimize dispatch, and improve safety and compliance (e.g., driver behavior, geofencing).
• Data, Reporting & Communication Build weekly KPI packs for PMs and the Director of Operations: service‑level compliance, quality scores, safety indicators, productivity, cost variances, and equipment uptime. Maintain risk logs, issue lists, and change trackers; lead performance reviews with customer reps and internal stakeholders.
• Training & Continuous Improvement Develop site training modules (standard work, safety, equipment operation, inspection methods); deliver toolbox talks and skill refreshers. Support readiness for audits (customer, internal QC, standards) with current documentation, evidence trails, and improvement backlogs.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern