Manufacturing Engineer - Summer Intern at GKN Automotive in Newton, NC

Summary: GKN Automotive is seeking a motivated Manufacturing Engineering Summer Intern to support process improvements and production optimization. This role offers students practical experience in a manufacturing environment while contributing to meaningful operational projects. Responsibilities: - Assist Manufacturing Engineers with process improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality - Support data collection and analysis for projects involving cycle time, throughput, and workflow optimization - Work on project to digitally convert manual processes - Help develop work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and documentation updates - Participate in root‑cause analysis and corrective action activities for production issues - Observe and evaluate production processes to identify potential improvements - Assist with testing parts, validating tooling, and supporting equipment evaluations - Collaborate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering teams on daily operational tasks Required Qualifications: - Currently pursuing a degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field - Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills - Solid understanding of basic engineering principles - Comfortable working in a shop‑floor environment - Strong communication and teamwork skills - Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); exposure to CAD or data tools is a plus Preferred Qualifications: - Familiarity with data collection systems, digital tools, or manufacturing automation is a plus Required Skills: Manufacturing Engineering, Analytical skills Important Skills: Microsoft Office, CAD exposure Nice-to-Have Skills: data tools, engineering principles, Teamwork skills