Continuous Improvement Engineer Intern

Location: Mallard Manufacturing – Sterling, IL
Program Duration: Summer 2026 (10 Weeks)
Pay range: $18–$25 per hour (based on location, experience, and academic level).

About Mallard Manufacturing

Mallard Manufacturing, a MacLean-Fogg Company, designs and builds engineered gravity flow storage systems for manufacturing and distribution facilities. Mallard’s pallet flow and carton flow solutions improve throughput, space utilization, and inventory control by matching system design to real operating constraints. The team supports customers through layout development, testing, and manufacturing to ensure systems perform on the floor, not only on paper.

Customers choose Mallard for practical engineering, durable build quality, and reliable delivery for material handling and warehouse operations.

Program Overview

Our Summer Internship Program offers real-world exposure to continuous improvement and industrial engineering practices in a manufacturing environment, giving you the opportunity to contribute to meaningful operational projects from day one. Over 10 weeks, you will gain:

• Hands-on experience in process optimization, labor analysis, and data-driven decision-making.
• Mentorship and guidance from experienced engineering and operational leaders.
• A professional network across functions and facilities.
• Career-ready analytical, technical, and professional skills.

What You’ll Do

As a Continuous Improvement Engineer Intern, you will:

• Utilize ERP systems to extract, review, and maintain manufacturing and labor data.
• Assist in updating routings, work instructions, and labor standards within ERP modules.
• Analyze ERP reports to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for operational improvement.
• Ensure data accuracy and consistency across ERP records to support planning and scheduling.
• Conduct time studies and work measurement analyses to evaluate process efficiency.
• Collect, analyze, and validate production data to establish standard times and labor benchmarks.
• Support process mapping and workflow analysis to reduce waste and improve throughput.
• Partner with production supervisors and operators to observe processes and document best practices.
• Complete a capstone intern project and present results to leadership.

Qualifications

We’re seeking motivated students who are ready to learn, grow, and contribute:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
• Familiarity with ERP systems, data analysis, or process improvement tools preferred.
• Exposure to lean manufacturing, time studies, or work measurement concepts is a plus.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Collaborative mindset with a willingness to take initiative.
• Ability to work on-site at one of our locations for the duration of the program.

Compensation & Benefits

• Skill development through hands-on learning.
• Structured mentorship and feedback.
• Networking opportunities with peers and professionals.
• Experience presenting to leadership at program completion.