The Engineering Intern is a hands on technical contributor supporting continuous improvement, capital projects, and day to day engineering activities within a food grade powder blending manufacturing environment. This role is designed for a highly engaged, curious, and proactive intern who enjoys being on the plant floor, solving real problems, and supporting structured engineering and Management of Change (MOC) processes.
The intern will work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, and external vendors to support project execution, data collection, troubleshooting, and documentation. This position provides exposure to real manufacturing challenges and professional engineering practices, including vendor walkdowns, MOC participation, and capital project support.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Project & Continuous Improvement Support
Assist with execution of continuous improvement and capital projects, including data collection, analysis, documentation, and follow‑up.
Support development of project scopes, layouts, equipment requirements, and technical documentation.
Assist with root cause analysis (5‑Why, Fishbone, basic DMAIC) for process, equipment, or quality issues.
Track action items, timelines, and deliverables for active projects.
Hands‑On Plant & Process Support
Spend significant time on the production floor observing processes, identifying inefficiencies, and supporting troubleshooting activities.
Collect and analyze process, production, and equipment data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
Support downtime, yield, and loss analysis for blending, conveying, and packaging equipment.
Assist with updating equipment documentation, SOPs, and standard work.
Management of Change (MOC)
Support Management of Change (MOC) activities by assisting with documentation, risk assessments, and follow‑up actions.
Ensure changes are properly reviewed, communicated, and documented in accordance with site procedures.
Assist in verifying post‑implementation effectiveness of approved changes.
Vendor & Contractor Coordination
Participate in vendor walkthroughs and on‑site visits for equipment evaluation, troubleshooting, and project scoping.
Assist engineers during vendor meetings, FAT/SAT preparation, and installation activities.
Support communication with vendors by gathering technical information, photos, measurements, and specifications.
Safety, Quality & Compliance
Follow all plant safety rules, food safety requirements, GMPs, and sanitation standards.
Support engineering activities that improve safety, food quality, and regulatory compliance.
Assist with identifying risks related to equipment design, material flow, and hygienic practices.
Required Qualifications
Recent grad in: Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Food Engineering, or related discipline
Strong interest in manufacturing, process engineering, or continuous improvement
Comfortable working in a plant environment (hands‑on, floor‑based role)
Strong critical thinking, problem‑solving, and observation skills
Ability to document information clearly and follow structured processes
Willingness to ask questions, learn quickly, and take initiative
Preferred Qualifications
Prior internship, co‑op, or hands‑on manufacturing experience
Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement concepts
Interest in powder processing, material handling, or food manufacturing
Basic proficiency with Excel, data analysis, or dashboards
Familiarity with technical drawings, layouts, or process flow diagrams
What Success Looks Like
Actively engaged on the plant floor and in engineering discussions
Provides reliable project and MOC support with attention to detail
Demonstrates strong ownership of assigned tasks and follow‑ups
Builds working relationships with operators, management team, and vendors
Develops real‑world understanding of manufacturing processes and project execution
Drive own projects
Why This Internship
Direct exposure to real manufacturing projects—not observation‑only work
Hands‑on involvement in capital projects, process transformation and vendor interactions
Opportunity to apply engineering fundamentals to real operational challenges
Strong foundation for future roles in process engineering, manufacturing, or CI
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more
