Manufacturing Engineering MES Intern

Trane Italia • Grand Rapids, MI

5d • $21 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

The Manufacturing Engineering MES Intern works directly with manufacturing engineers, production operators, and quality teams to connect physical assembly operations with digital manufacturing systems. The hands-on role supports and optimizes DELMIA Apriso MES in a commercial HVAC assembly environment.

The intern learns assembly processes on the production floor, observes how digital systems interface with operators and equipment, assists with system enhancements, troubleshoots floor execution issues, and uses manufacturing data to support safety, quality, delivery, and productivity improvements. The role also supports process documentation, operator training, continuous improvement, testing, and MES project activities.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or a closely related technical field.
• High technological aptitude and an interest in smart manufacturing and hands-on production environments.
• Basic familiarity with manufacturing processes, automation, or software logic.
• Confidence using Excel and strong attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to interact with shop-floor operators and cross-functional engineers.

Nice To Haves

• Prior exposure to Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), such as Apriso.
• Foundational coursework or experience with database fundamentals, such as basic SQL queries; programming or scripting, such as Python; or industrial networking basics.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles, including Kaizen, 5S, Standard Work, Poka-Yoke, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Previous internship, co-op, or academic lab experience in a manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, or controls environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist manufacturing engineers in sustaining and improving daily shop-floor execution using Apriso.
• Support production-line workflows by implementing electronic work instructions, reference documentation, process flows, new stations, and new functionality.
• Help troubleshoot operational MES issues on the assembly line to minimize production downtime.
• Update SOPs, standard work instructions, and troubleshooting quick-reference guides for shop-floor operators using Apriso interfaces.
• Assist with training operators, team leads, and support staff on new or revised MES workflows, digital screens, and mobile terminals.
• Document system change requirements, bug reports, and user feedback from line personnel.
• Participate in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives by extracting and analyzing production data.
• Support implementation of digital poka-yokes and automated quality inspection gates within software workflows.
• Assist with time studies, line balancing, and workflow optimization by comparing physical operations with digital MES timestamps.
• Participate in software sprint testing and verify new Apriso functionality or workflow configurations before production deployment.
• Assist engineering staff with engineering change notices, product transitions, and new product introductions within MES routing master data.
• Maintain an active, visible presence on the manufacturing floor and foster working relationships with assembly technicians and supervisors.
• Gather front-line operator feedback regarding interface usability, response times, and ergonomic placement of workstations and MES peripherals.
• Follow plant safety standards, PPE requirements, and 5S workplace organization practices.

Benefits

• Health insurance and holistic wellness programs, including incentives, available from day one for the employee and family.
• Family-building benefits, including fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
• Up to 15 vacation days, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional options supporting volunteer and parental leave.
• 401(k) match.
• Educational and training opportunities through company programs.
• Tuition assistance and student debt support.

What This Job Offers

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