What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing / Process Engineering Summer Internship position at BGF Industries?
About the Internship
BGF Industries is seeking a motivated college student to join our Manufacturing & Engineering team as a Manufacturing Intern for an 8-10 week summer internship. This hands-on experience will expose the intern to real-world manufacturing operations, process optimization, data analysis, and continuous improvement activities in a technical textile manufacturing environment.
The internship is designed to provide meaningful project work, practical engineering exposure, and mentorship from our Manufacturing Leadership team and production professionals.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the internship, the student will:
- Understand industrial manufacturing processes in technical textiles
- Learn basic process control and data analysis techniques
- Participate in troubleshooting and continuous improvement activities
- Gain exposure to safety, quality, and environmental compliance practices
- Develop professional communication and presentation skills
Key Responsibilities (Example)
- Assist Process Engineers in monitoring and documenting process parameters
- Collect and analyze production and quality data using Excel or similar tools
- Support troubleshooting of manufacturing or product quality issues
- Participate in machine trials, production evaluations, and process testing
- Help update work instructions and basic process documentation
- Observe and assist with environmental and safety compliance activities (SDS, emissions tracking, audits, etc.)
- Support continuous improvement or cost-savings projects
- Prepare simple reports or presentations summarizing findings and recommendations
- Follow all safety procedures and PPE requirements
Sample Internship Project (Example)
- Analyze a selected production process to identify sources of variation
- Collect baseline data and create basic SPC charts
- Propose at least one improvement idea to reduce defects, scrap, or downtime
- Present results and recommendations to engineering and operations leadership
Required Qualifications
Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in: Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Materials, Textile, or related field)
- Basic proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Strong interest in manufacturing and process improvement
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work in an industrial environment and follow safety rules
Preferred Qualifications
- Completed coursework in:
- Manufacturing processes, Statistics or data analysis, Materials or polymer science, Familiarity with Lean or Six Sigma concepts
Physical & Work Environment
- Standing, walking, and observing production areas
- Exposure to dust, fibers, and industrial equipment
- PPE required (safety glasses, hearing protection, safety shoes, etc.)
Why Join BGF Industries?
- Hands-on engineering experience in a real manufacturing environment
- Mentorship from experienced professionals
- Exposure to advanced materials and technical textiles
- Opportunity to be considered for future internships or full-time roles
This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.