Manufacturing Process Improvement Intern

Regal Rexnord•Radford, VA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Manufacturing Process Improvement Intern will work on-site at a manufacturing facility, supporting continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives throughout the summer. This role provides hands-on exposure to shop floor operations and ownership of one or more projects focused on workplace organization, material flow, standard work, and productivity improvement. The intern will partner closely with operations, engineering, and site leadership to deliver measurable, sustainable improvements.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work comfortably in a manufacturing environment.
Ability to be present on the shop floor and engage with frontline employees.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship to obtain or keep U.S. work authorization.

Nice To Haves

Completed sophomore year or above at the time of the internship.
Coursework or exposure to lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or industrial engineering principles.
Experience with time studies, process mapping, A3 problem solving, or data visualization tools.
Self-starter who can work independently with minimal direction while managing multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

Lead or support manufacturing process improvement projects aligned with site priorities, including: 6S (5S + Safety) Implementation: Lead the rollout or recalibration of 6S standards across designated production areas. Conduct audits, define visual standards, and establish sustainment plans.
Material Presentation Strategy: Assess current material staging and delivery methods site-wide. Develop and help implement a standardized material presentation approach to improve ergonomics, reduce waste, and support production flow.
Standard Work & Value Stream Mapping: Map critical production areas using value stream mapping and time studies. Identify bottlenecks, develop standard work, and recommend level-loading and productivity improvements to maximize throughput and on-time delivery.
Collect, analyze, and interpret production data to support recommendations and data-driven decision-making.
Collaborate daily with operators, supervisors, engineers, and other stakeholders on the shop floor.
Present project updates, findings, and final recommendations to site leadership at defined milestones and project closeout.
Document work using standard formats (A3s, project boards, SOPs, visual controls) to ensure sustainment of improvements.