Summer 2027 Continuous Improvement Intern

The Continuous Improvement Intern supports the manufacturing and operations teams in identifying and implementing improvements related to Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Productivity.

The intern works closely with production operators, supervisors, manufacturing engineers, quality, maintenance, and other support functions to analyze current processes, eliminate waste, improve flow, and establish sustainable standard work.
Key Responsibilities


* Support Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing projects across production areas.


* Conduct time studies and cycle-time analysis to identify waste and improvement opportunities.


* Analyze production processes to identify bottlenecks, non-value-added activities, excess motion, waiting, transportation, and WIP.


* Participate in and support Kaizen events and improvement workshops.


* Support implementation and sustainability of 5S and visual management.


* Develop and maintain:
+ Standard Work
+ Work instructions
+ Process maps
+ Standard Work Combination Sheets
+ Visual management boards
+ Improvement trackers


* Support one-piece flow and production line balancing initiatives.


* Perform Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to document current-state and future-state processes.


* Use Pareto analysis, 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams, and other root-cause analysis tools to solve manufacturing problems.


* Collect and analyze data related to cycle time, throughput, downtime, labor utilization, defects, WIP, productivity, and efficiency.


* Develop Excel-based trackers, dashboards, charts, and reports for improvement projects.


* Assist with workstation layout and ergonomic improvements.


* Identify opportunities to improve material flow and point-of-use material presentation.


* Work with operators and supervisors to test improvement ideas on the shop floor.


* Measure results before and after improvements to demonstrate the impact.


* Support implementation and follow-up of corrective actions.


* Help sustain improvements through audits, standardization, operator training, and visual controls.


* Present project progress and improvement results to manufacturing and operations leadership.

Required Qualifications:


* Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Porduction, or Electrical Engineering


* Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma fundamentals


* 5S and Visual Management


* Time Study and Cycle-Time Analysis


* Value Stream Mapping


* Standardized Work


* Line Balancing / Yamazumi


* Root Cause Analysis / 5-Why


* Kaizen / PDCA / DMAIC


* Microsoft Excel and Power BI


* AutoCAD or basic layout-development experience


* Manufacturing ergonomics


* Process mapping


* Data analysis and visualization


* Ability to work in Fairfield, OH for the duration of the internship


* All applican...