Intern - Summer Engineering Student

Omya • Pittsford, VT

3d • $20 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

The Summer Engineering Intern supports day-to-day process and plant engineering activities at a calcium carbonate (industrial minerals) manufacturing facility. Working closely with engineering, production, maintenance, quality, and EHS teams, the intern will help improve safety, reliability, product quality, and operating efficiency across quarrying (as applicable), crushing, grinding, classification, drying, conveying, storage, and bulk packaging/shipping operations. This role is designed for a hands-on student who wants real-world exposure to industrial operations and continuous improvement in a heavy manufacturing environment.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a college level Engineering program, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• Completed at least one year of college coursework by the start of the internship (sophomore standing or above preferred).
• Ability to work safely and effectively in an industrial environment and follow all plant safety rules and procedures.
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to spend time in the field observing equipment and processes.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel; ability to organize data, create charts, and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to work with operators, maintenance technicians, and engineers.

Nice To Haves

• Interest or coursework in minerals processing, powder handling, particulate technology, process control, unit operations, or industrial safety.
• Experience with CAD (AutoCAD or similar), basic P&ID/PFD understanding, or reading mechanical drawings.
• Familiarity with statistical tools (Minitab or similar) and basic continuous improvement methods (Lean/Six Sigma).
• Prior experience in manufacturing, quarrying, mining, or heavy industry (internship, co-op, or summer work).
• Ability to interpret lab/quality data such as particle size distribution and moisture results.

Responsibilities

• Support process troubleshooting and data collection on key unit operations (mills, classifiers, dryers, cyclones/baghouses, pneumatic conveying, silos, bulk loading, bagging systems).
• Develop and maintain operating data summaries (throughput, particle size distribution, moisture, energy use, downtime) and help identify improvement opportunities.
• Assist with continuous improvement efforts (6S, waste elimination, standard work, visual management) to improve safety and productivity.
• Participate in root cause problem solving for quality or reliability issues (e.g., off-spec particle size, moisture excursions, plugging, excessive dusting, conveyor spillage).
• Support small capital and maintenance projects: define scope, update drawings/sketches, coordinate field walkdowns, and track action items.
• Help update or create process documentation such as flow diagrams, SOPs, LOTO references, equipment lists, and preventive maintenance recommendations.
• Verify instrument readings and assist with basic calibration checks under supervision (scales, flow/pressure indicators, temperature/moisture sensors), as site procedures allow.
• Support quality activities by understanding sampling points, test methods, and specifications for calcium carbonate products.
• Participate in daily production meetings, safety talks, and EHS observations; immediately report hazards, near misses, and unsafe conditions.
• Maintain accurate notes, calculations, and deliverables; present findings and recommendations at the end of the internship.

Benefits

• Hands-on exposure to industrial minerals processing and manufacturing operations.
• Mentorship from experienced engineers and operators, with a defined project and end-of-term presentation.
• Opportunities to develop practical skills in safety, problem solving, data analysis, and project execution.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed