Manufacturing Engineer- Intern

Zekelman Industries • Rochelle, IL

111d

About The Position

As a Manufacturing Engineering Intern at Wheatland Tube (a division of Zekelman Industries), you will support projects that improve operational efficiency, productivity, and product quality across the plant. Working closely with the Department Manager, Maintenance and cross-functional departments, you'll assist in facility layout planning, process flow optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives. This internship is designed for students seeking full-time roles upon graduation, and offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience with manufacturing systems, data analysis, and industrial engineering tools in a real-world environment. This is a full-time, on-site internship located at our Rochelle, IL facility. The official Zekelman internship program runs from May 26, 2026, through August 14, 2026. This role is perfect for someone who is detail-oriented, eager to optimize systems, and thrives in fast-paced manufacturing environments.

Requirements

• Current college student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering
• Strong analytical skills with a keen attention to detail
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• CAD or drafting experience a plus (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, etc.)
• Available to travel for the Internship Summit, hosted at a Zekelman Industries location
• Authorized to work in the United States, including those on F-1 CPT/OPT or J-1 visas

Responsibilities

• Plan and design layouts for plant efficiency using CAD tools and drafting software
• Analyze workflows and material movement to generate scale drawings for optimal personnel and equipment placement
• Establish and support labor standards using work measurement programs and time study analysis
• Collect and analyze operational data to improve process effectiveness and plant layout
• Lead or assist in continuous improvement projects to enhance quality, throughput, and cost savings
• Develop and refine manufacturing processes, equipment functionality, and standard methods
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify root causes of net yield loss
• Maintain and enhance documentation such as work instructions, routings, and blueprints
• Analyze prime net yield and other performance indicators to support profitability initiatives
• Conduct experiments to optimize operations and report findings to the management team
• Promote and follow healthy and safe work practices in accordance with Zekelman policy
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• PAID internship experience with meaningful work
• Professional development and the opportunity to make a real impact
• Hands-on experience improving manufacturing operations and systems
• Opportunities to work directly with operations, quality, and engineering teams
• Access to company-wide networking events, team-building activities, and learning sessions
• Regular feedback and mentorship to support your technical and career development
• Participation in a company-wide Intern Summit
• Competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental benefits
• Tuition assistance program
• Bonus plan
• 401(k) plan with a generous company match and immediate vesting

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees