An Operations and Maintenance Specialist works for a production plant or manufacturer. They may direct and coordinate the daily operations and maintenance of a facility in collaboration with leadership. May assist in establishing new system processes, such as improving production cost, product quality, policy and procedure implementation, material and inventory utilization, and operation efficiency.
Business, Management and Administration Structure:
In Person Location:
Auburn Application Due Date:
Aug. 31, 2026
Starts:
Aug. 31, 2026
Type:
Standard Internship $ Paid $22.00/hr
Part Time Description Primary Focus:
The intern will work primarily with the Engineering team on automation, process improvement, and manufacturing projects .
Production Exposure:
The intern will spend time on the production floor to understand manufacturing processes, equipment, workflow, and day-to-day production operations.
Cross-Functional Exposure:
The intern will gain experience with Engineering, Manufacturing/Production, Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, and Inventory/Material Flow .
Supervision:
The intern will receive direct supervision from Engineering and Operations personnel, with regular project guidance, feedback, and performance evaluations.
Training:
Training will include workplace and safety procedures, manufacturing processes, production equipment, automation systems, project expectations, and relevant company systems and procedures.
Mentorship:
Engineers, operations leaders, production supervisors, and supply chain professionals will provide mentorship and help the intern connect classroom concepts to real-world manufacturing challenges.
Learning Goals:
Gain hands-on experience with industrial automation and engineering projects . Develop an understanding of manufacturing and production processes. Understand how Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Operations work together. Identify opportunities for automation, efficiency improvements, and waste reduction . Develop problem-solving, data analysis, and project-management skills. Understand material and product flow throughout the manufacturing process. Build professional communication and cross-functional teamwork skills. Gain a broad understanding of operations management and manufacturing career paths . Responsibilities Assist the Engineering team with manufacturing automation projects , including planning, testing, implementation, and documentation. Evaluate existing production processes to identify opportunities for automation, increased efficiency, improved workflow, and waste reduction . Support the setup, testing, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment and processes . Spend time on the production floor observing manufacturing operations and identifying potential process-improvement opportunities . Assist with time studies, process mapping, data collection, and analysis to evaluate production performance and efficiency. Participate in engineering and operations projects involving equipment, tooling, production layouts, and manufacturing processes . Work with Production and Engineering personnel to investigate bottlenecks, downtime, quality issues, and other operational challenges . Gain exposure to Supply Chain and material flow , including how raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods move through the facility. Participate in cross-functional projects involving Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations . Assist with developing and documenting process improvements, standard work, and recommendations resulting from internship projects. Present project findings, results, and recommendations to supervisors and other members of management. Complete primarily project-based and developmental work , with administrative duties limited to tasks directly supporting the intern's projects and learning objectives. Qualifications Currently enrolled in a college or university degree program , preferably in Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Technology, or a related field. Minimum 3.0 GPA preferred . Sophomore standing or higher preferred; exceptional first-year students may be considered. Interest in manufacturing, automation, engineering, and production operations . Strong problem-solving and analytical skills. Willingness to learn and work in both office/engineering and production-floor environments . Ability to communicate effectively and work with employees across multiple departments. Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel . Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple projects and assignments with guidance. Dependable, professional, and willing to take initiative. No prior manufacturing, engineering, or management experience required. Learning Objectives Develop a practical understanding of manufacturing operations and production processes . Gain hands-on experience with automation and manufacturing engineering projects . Understand how Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations work together within a manufacturing organization. Learn to identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, efficiency gains, and waste reduction . Develop problem-solving skills by assisting with real-world production and operational challenges . Gain experience collecting, analyzing, and using production and operational data to support decision-making. Understand material flow, inventory movement, production scheduling, and supply chain processes . Develop basic project management skills , including planning, implementation, documentation, and follow-up. Improve professional communication, teamwork, and cross-functional collaboration skills. Apply concepts learned in the classroom to real-world manufacturing and operations projects . Gain exposure to career paths within Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain .
