What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing Engineer- Intern position at Zekelman?
You may not know our name, but you know our products. What we make is part the places where we live, work and play – all day, everyday.
Zekelman is a family of companies — 100% domestic manufacturers — with a legacy dating back to 1877. We're proud to be the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and the leading innovator in multi-family housing development.
We believe in what we build and what we build, builds the world around us. Hospitals, hotels, schools, bridges, airports and more.
Come build a career you believe in.
As a Manufacturing Engineering Intern at Wheatland Tube (a division of Zekelman Industries), you will support projects that improve operational efficiency, productivity, and product quality across the plant. Working closely with the Department Manager, Maintenance and cross-functional departments, you'll assist in facility layout planning, process flow optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
This internship is designed for students seeking full-time roles upon graduation, and offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience with manufacturing systems, data analysis, and industrial engineering tools in a real-world environment.
This is a full-time, on-site internship located at our Rochelle, IL facility.
The official Zekelman internship program runs from May 26, 2026, through August 14, 2026.
This role is perfect for someone who is detail-oriented, eager to optimize systems, and thrives in fast-paced manufacturing environments.
What You'll Do
- Plan and design layouts for plant efficiency using CAD tools and drafting software
- Analyze workflows and material movement to generate scale drawings for optimal personnel and equipment placement
- Establish and support labor standards using work measurement programs and time study analysis
- Collect and analyze operational data to improve process effectiveness and plant layout
- Lead or assist in continuous improvement projects to enhance quality, throughput, and cost savings
- Develop and refine manufacturing processes, equipment functionality, and standard methods
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify root causes of net yield loss
- Maintain and enhance documentation such as work instructions, routings, and blueprints
- Analyze prime net yield and other performance indicators to support profitability initiatives
- Conduct experiments to optimize operations and report findings to the management team
- Promote and follow healthy and safe work practices in accordance with Zekelman policy
- Perform other duties as assigned
Who You Are
- Current college student pursuing a bachelor's degree in Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering
- Strong analytical skills with a keen attention to detail
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Highly organized and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- CAD or drafting experience a plus (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, etc.)
- Available to travel for the Internship Summit, hosted at a Zekelman Industries location
- This role is open to candidates who are authorized to work in the United States, including those on F-1 CPT/OPT or J-1 visas.
What You'll Get
Zekelman Industries offers a PAID internship experience with meaningful work, professional development, and the opportunity to make a real impact. Interns also enjoy:
- Hands-on experience improving manufacturing operations and systems
- Opportunities to work directly with operations, quality, and engineering teams
- Access to company-wide networking events, team-building activities, and learning sessions
- Regular feedback and mentorship to support your technical and career development
- Participation in a company-wide Intern Summit
Zekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental benefits. In addition, we have an amazing tuition assistance program, a bonus plan, a 401(k) plan with a generous company match, immediate vesting, and much more.
M/F/D/V
We are Zekelman Industries.
We manufacture superior quality tubular and related products, and provide outstanding service for our valued customers.
We seek to continuously advance the skills and opportunities of our employees, utilizing the latest technology and management tools available to consistently increase profitability and the enterprise value of Zekelman Industries and of our customers.