Internship - 2026 Undergraduate Industrial… at 3M · Knoxville

Summary: 3M is a global company known for its innovative products and technologies. They are seeking an Undergraduate Industrial Engineer Intern for Summer 2026 to collaborate with engineers, identify inefficiencies in manufacturing processes, and implement creative solutions for continuous improvement. Responsibilities: - Gaining an understanding of the Manufacturing process and identifying inefficiencies in the process - Working with other engineers in the factory and at the division level to brainstorm and prioritize process improvements that may improve yield and productivity in the plant - Developing and implementing creative and innovative process solutions in collaboration with cross-functional team members - Supporting the modification and improvement of existing process conditions, methods and/or solutions - Initiating and leading projects that result in continuous improvement of Product and Process Understanding (PPU), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and machine Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) - Understand and use statistical analysis and PPU to improve process - Creating and maintaining product/process documentation, including specifications, test methods, and change management documentation - Effectively troubleshoot defects and variation, perform root cause analysis, and apply problem solving skills - Development and implementation of improvements related to safety, quality, service, and cost in assigned areas - Provide daily production support and troubleshooting for assigned products and manufacturing operations - Improve manufacturing operations using continuous improvement and project management tools - Maintain, track, and report on unit/static costs and variances for assigned products - Work with capital project teams to provide overview of potential savings from all functional areas involved with any project - Work with plant teams to analyze operations, workflows and production needs of processes to identify potential improvement and waste reduction opportunities - Exposure to multiple technology platforms across a variety of internal customer divisions, with focus on system improvements that enable the entire supply chain - Drive kaizen activities across a variety of areas to drive continuous improvement in standard work, optimized changeovers, and material and information flow Required Qualifications: - Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree, or higher, from an accredited institution - Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status) Preferred Qualifications: - Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, or engineering discipline - Completed a minimum of sophomore year (4 semesters) by the start of the internship - Current cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale - Experience with light assembly, assembly automation, robotic applications, material handling, or inspection equipment - Experience in the use of statistical tools and data analysis in problem solving - Strong interpersonal and organizational skills - Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload Required Skills: Manufacturing process, Process improvement, Statistical analysis, Data analysis, Assembly automation, Robotic applications, Material handling, Inspection equipment, Continuous improvement, Root cause analysis, Multi-tasking, Prioritization, Project management Internship Start Date: Start in 2026 Benefits: Housing and transportation stipend