Intern, Manufacturing Engineer

Zekelman Industries • Rochelle, IL

9d • Onsite

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.

We are seeking a student who is currently pursuing a degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field and has at least one academic year remaining before graduation following the internship. This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience with manufacturing systems, data analysis, and industrial engineering tools while building a foundation for future internship and career opportunities within Zekelman Industries.

This is a full-time, on-site internship located at our state-of-the-art, automated Rochelle, IL facility. The official Zekelman internship program runs from May 24, 2027 through August 13, 2027.

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
• Available to travel for the Internship Summit, hosted at a Zekelman Industries location

Nice To Haves

• CAD or drafting experience a plus (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, etc.)

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
• Meaningful work
• Professional development
• 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
• Low-cost, high-quality medical and dental benefits
• Tuition assistance program
• Bonus plan
• 401(k) plan with a generous company match
• Immediate vesting

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern