Summer Student Trainee – Manufacturing Process Engineering

Caterpillar Inc.•Alpharetta, GA

1d•$15 - $18

About The Position

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it. About EPD Caterpillar's Electric Power Division (EPD) offers integrated solutions, parts, and services to meet the needs of our various commercial and industrial electric power customers. EPD supports a wide range of customer applications across the globe, including providing back-up power to hospitals, providing emergency power when natural disasters strike, and supporting critical infrastructure for data centers, municipalities, and more. With a rich history of more than 95 years in the electric power business, our team has world-class expertise and a proven ability to adapt to changing demands. We’re committed to providing sustainable and reliable solutions to our customers. Join our team to help build a better, more sustainable world for future generations! Job Summary The Electric Power Division has an exciting opportunity for high school students interested in engineering and manufacturing. This part‑time summer Student Trainee role provides hands‑on exposure to how engineering designs translate into real production processes. Students will learn by observing time studies, supporting basic process documentation, and shadowing engineering and maintenance teams. This experience offers valuable insight into manufacturing workflows and helps students explore future paths in engineering or process improvement.

Requirements

Eligibility as a full-time high school junior or senior who is at least 16 years of age
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
An understanding of basic safety practices (with all safety gear provided)
Strong communication and teamwork skills
Reliable transportation to and from the facility
The ability to occasionally lift parts up to 20 lbs. individually or up to 50 lbs. with a team lift
The ability to bend, reach, and squat while performing tasks
The ability to wear required personal protective equipment for assigned tasks
The ability to work in an environment with frequently changing temperatures
The ability to stand and/or sit for extended periods while performing tasks

Nice To Haves

Participation in robotics programs or engineering clubs.
Completion of engineering, manufacturing, or STEM‑related coursework.
Involvement in STEM‑focused extracurricular activities.
Enrollment in dual‑credit, honors, or Advanced Placement courses.

Responsibilities

Assist with evaluating and documenting manufacturing processes, including conducting time studies, workflow observation, and production floor analysis.
Support engineers in understanding how designs and specifications translate into real-world production and build processes.
Participate in reviewing process documentation, standard work instructions, and engineering changes as they move from design into manufacturing.
Collect and analyze data to identify opportunities for process improvements, waste reduction, and efficiency gains.
Shadow Facilities and Maintenance Engineering teams to learn how equipment, tooling, and production resources are supported and maintained.
Collaborate with engineering and production teams to understand how People, Quality, Velocity and Cost (PQVC) are incorporated into production decisions.
Assist with small continuous improvement projects under engineer supervision (e.g., workflow redesign, basic CAD updates, documentation reviews).
Support the preparation of reports, summaries, and presentations for engineering or operations leadership.