Engineering Intern – Summer 2027

• Location: Sterling, Illinois
• Pay: $28.00 per hour
• Program start: Tuesday, May 25, 2027, with limited flexibility for academic calendars
• Duration: 10 weeks, with the possibility of extending up to 2 additional weeks based on business needs and intern availability
• Schedule: Full time, on site
  
  

Build Something That Matters This Summer

As an Engineering Intern at Mallard Manufacturing, a MacLean-Fogg Company, you will apply what you are learning in the classroom to real manufacturing challenges. You will work alongside engineers, operators, quality professionals, and maintenance teams to understand how products are made and help improve the products and processes behind them.

You will take ownership of a meaningful engineering project with guidance from an experienced team. Depending on your assignment, you might investigate a quality issue, reduce scrap, improve a process, support automation, develop a design, or evaluate material performance. At the end of the program, you will present your project, results, and recommendations to facility leadership.

One application connects you with the engineering internship opportunities available at this manufacturing facility. Tell us which areas interest you in the application. We will consider your interests, skills, and experience alongside available projects and business needs.

Engineering Areas You Could Explore

Assignments Vary By Manufacturing Facility And May Include

• Manufacturing and Process Engineering: Improve production methods, equipment layouts, tooling, fixtures, and work instructions.
• Quality Engineering: Analyze defects, investigate root causes, support measurement and testing, and help improve product and process quality.
• Continuous Improvement and Lean: Study workflows, reduce waste, and help teams improve productivity through methods such as 5S, standard work, and process mapping.
• Automation and Controls: Support projects involving automated equipment, sensors, robotics, or process controls.
• Product and Design Engineering: Support product development, CAD modeling, design improvements, prototyping, or testing.
• Materials Engineering and Metallurgy: Evaluate material properties, investigate material-related issues, and support testing or improvements to material processing.
  
  

Not every area is available at every location. Your internship will focus on an assigned project or area; experience in all six areas is not expected.

What You Will Do

• Learn the facility's safety practices and follow required procedures while working in office and manufacturing areas.
• Work with experienced team members to understand a problem, define a project, and develop practical solutions.
• Collect and analyze engineering or production data to identify opportunities and measure results.
• Use tools and methods relevant to your assignment, which may include CAD, testing equipment, data analysis, root cause analysis, or lean manufacturing techniques.
• Contribute to improvements in safety, quality, productivity, cost, or product performance.
• Document your work, communicate progress, and incorporate feedback from your team.
• Present your capstone project, findings, and recommendations to facility leadership.
  
  

What You Will Gain

• Hands-on experience applying engineering concepts in a manufacturing environment.
• Guidance and feedback from experienced engineers and manufacturing professionals.
• Practice managing a project, solving problems with data, and collaborating across functions.
• Experience explaining technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• A clearer understanding of engineering career paths and the work you enjoy.
  
  

What We Are Looking For

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, engineering technology, or a closely related field. Relevant disciplines include mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, electrical, and materials engineering.
• Interest in applying engineering skills to manufacturing challenges.
• Willingness to work with data, learn new tools, and ask questions.
• A collaborative approach and respect for the experience of the people who operate and support production equipment.
• Ability to organize your work, communicate progress, and take ownership of a project with guidance.
• Availability to work full time and on site at this manufacturing facility for the full 10-week program. Limited start-date flexibility may be available for academic calendars.
• Authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future. MacLean-Fogg does not offer employment visa sponsorship for this position.
  
  

Students at all college class levels are welcome to apply. Previous internship experience is not required.

Preferred Qualifications

These qualifications are helpful, but not required. We consider evidence from coursework, class projects, student organizations, and paid or volunteer work.

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Hands-on technical projects through engineering clubs, Formula SAE, Advanced Snowmobile, robotics, design teams, makerspaces, or labs.
• Experience analyzing data with Excel, Minitab, Power BI, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with CAD software, such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Creo, for assignments involving design work.
• Exposure to quality methods, lean manufacturing, automation, materials testing, or other tools relevant to your interests.
• Previous manufacturing, production, shop, internship, or co-op experience.
  
  

Housing Assistance

Eligible interns at this location may receive a one-time $3,000 taxable housing allowance to help with temporary housing costs. Eligibility requires an available summer residence more than 50 miles from the worksite, a need to establish temporary housing, and no equivalent company-provided housing or relocation support. Payment is made after the internship begins and required documentation is complete.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The physical demands below represent those required to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Sit at a workstation and use a computer for extended periods.
• Move throughout manufacturing areas to observe equipment, processes, and production activities.
• Occasionally lift and carry tools, samples, or parts weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, and reach when observing equipment or components.
• Review drawings, gauges, measurement equipment, and other visual information.
• Wear required personal protective equipment, which may include safety glasses, hearing protection, and safety footwear.
• Work in office and manufacturing environments where noise, temperature variation, and airborne particulates may be present.
  
  

What to Expect After Applying

Our hiring process includes an application, Criteria assessments, application and assessment review, a recruiter screen, and a 45-minute interview with the hiring team. Candidates selected for an offer receive a conditional offer followed by required pre-employment screening before hire.

This position requires a pre-employment drug screen after a conditional offer. A criminal background check may also be required, depending on the role. Screening and employment decisions are administered consistent with applicable law.

About MacLean-Fogg

MacLean-Fogg is a fourth-generation, family-owned American manufacturing company headquartered in Mundelein, Illinois. Founded in 1925, we design and manufacture engineered components and solutions for automotive and industrial markets.

Our portfolio includes MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions, OMCO, Mallard Manufacturing, and Threadstrong. Across our companies, we share a commitment to Safety, Integrity, People, Excellence, and Stewardship while investing in our people, manufacturing capabilities, customers, and communities.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations

MacLean-Fogg and its affiliated companies are equal opportunity employers. We provide equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply, complete an assessment, or participate in the hiring process, contact careers@macleanfogg.com.

Be part of what's next at MacLean-Fogg.