Manufacturing Intern - Product Design & Automation
About The Position
SUMMARY: The Manufacturing Intern at Hercules Industries will play a hands-on role in improving how products are designed and built. This is not a passive, observational internship; interns will work directly with engineering and production teams to support product design enhancements, analyze manufacturing processes, and identify automation opportunities. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both design and shop floor problem-solving and wants to see how engineering decisions translate into real-world production outcomes. M-F 7am-3:30pm, $23.00/hour Timing & Commitment: This is a Summer 2026 internship running from mid-May through August (approximately 10–12 weeks). The expected start date is flexible between May 15 and June 1, depending on academic schedules. Some flexibility in start and end dates may be accommodated.
Requirements
- Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field
- Basic understanding of engineering drawings and manufacturing processes
- Exposure to CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar)
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Willingness to spend time on the shop floor and engage with production teams
Responsibilities
- Product Design & CAD Support
- Create and modify 2D and 3D models of HVAC components (ductwork, fittings, assemblies) using tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Inventor
- Ensure designs align with SMACNA standards and internal specifications
- Support design updates to improve manufacturability, cost, and performance
- Manufacturing Process Improvement
- Partner with production teams to understand fabrication processes (cutting, bending, forming)
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and streamline workflows
- Support implementation of process improvements on the shop floor
- Time Studies & Process Analysis
- Observe manufacturing operations and collect data on:
- Cycle times
- Bottlenecks
- Labor utilization
- Analyze findings and contribute to recommendations for process, layout, or workflow improvements
- Engineering Documentation
- Create and update:
- Work instructions
- Bills of Materials (BOMs)
- Technical drawings
- Ensure clear and accurate communication between engineering and manufacturing teams
- Quality Control & Inspection
- Assist in inspecting finished sheet metal components for dimensional accuracy and tolerance compliance
- Document defects and support root cause analysis for recurring quality issues
- Contribute to continuous improvement of quality processes
- Prototyping & Testing
- Support the build and evaluation of prototype HVAC components and assemblies
- Assist with fit-up, airflow, or functional testing
- Record and summarize performance data for engineering review
Benefits
- Opportunity to make a material impact—your work will matter
- Work in a company that is actively transforming and investing in data and analytics
- Employee-owned (ESOP), aligning effort with long-term value creation
- Right-sized organization: large enough for complexity, small enough for visibility and impact
- A culture that values curiosity, problem-solving, and continuous improvement
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
