Equipment Intern

Overview

The Equipment Engineering Intern will support the daily operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimization of production equipment in a photovoltaic solar module manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for assisting the Equipment Engineering team in ensuring that production equipment operates safely, reliably, and efficiently.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Support the daily operation and condition monitoring of production line equipment.
• Aid in identifying and resolving equipment abnormalities to help reduce downtime.
• Assist in equipment startup, commissioning, changeover, and validation activities.
• Provide on-site technical support to the production team.
• Maintain equipment performance and follow up on operating conditions to support stable production.
• Participate in preventive maintenance activities and routine equipment inspections.
• Aid in troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and control system issues.
• Support equipment repair, adjustment, and restoration to normal operation.
• Contribute to root cause analysis for equipment failures.
• Aid in replacement of sensors, motors, pneumatic components, and other equipment parts.
• Assist with basic troubleshooting and debugging of PLC-controlled equipment.
• Support the operation and maintenance of robots, vision systems, and automated conveyor systems.
• Aid in identifying issues related to HMI interfaces and equipment control logic.
• Participate in automation improvement and equipment upgrade projects.
• Collect and organize equipment operating data, downtime records, production output data, and failure information.
• Analyze key equipment performance indicators, including OEE, MTBF, MTTR, downtime, throughput, and yield impact.
• Identify equipment bottlenecks and provide improvement recommendations.
• Engage in continuous improvement projects, including Lean Manufacturing and process improvement initiatives.
• Support equipment standardization, inspection checklist updates, and operating procedure updates.
• Aid in new equipment installation, commissioning, acceptance, and ramp-up activities.
• Follow OSHA standards and company safety requirements.
• Comply with Lockout/Tagout procedures.
• Use personal protective equipment appropriately.
• Maintain strong safety awareness while working in a manufacturing environment.

Key Requirements & Competencies

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering field.
• Basic understanding of mechanical structures and equipment operating principles.
• Familiarity with transmission systems such as bearings, gears, belts, lead screws, and conveyor systems.
• Basic understanding of pneumatic systems, including cylinders, solenoid valves, and pressure regulators.
• Ability to read basic mechanical drawings.
• Understanding of preventive maintenance concepts is preferred.
• Basic understanding of circuits, motors, and industrial electrical systems.
• Familiarity with industrial components such as sensors, variable frequency drives, and servo systems.
• Basic knowledge of PLC systems; Siemens or Allen-Bradley experience is preferred.
• Ability to understand basic ladder logic diagrams.
• Basic knowledge of industrial communication protocols is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Basic data analysis and statistical analysis skills.
• Experience with Python, SQL, Power BI, or Tableau is preferred.
• Ability to prepare technical reports, data analysis reports, and project presentation materials.
• Willingness and ability to work on the manufacturing floor and assist with equipment troubleshooting.
• Ability to use basic tools such as multimeters, calipers, and torque wrenches.
• Ability to assist with equipment disassembly, repair, and component replacement.
• Ability to support equipment debugging, calibration, parameter adjustment, installation, commissioning, and validation.
• Ability to work safely in an automated production environment.
• Strong logical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Fast learner with the ability to adapt quickly to a manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with production, equipment, and process teams.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure production environment.
• Proactive, responsible, detail-oriented, and willing to learn.
• Strong technical documentation and reporting skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous internship or project experience in manufacturing, equipment maintenance, automation, or engineering.
• Understanding of photovoltaic module manufacturing processes or related equipment.
• Familiarity with equipment such as stringers, layup machines, laminators, EL testers, IV testers, robots, and conveyor systems.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement projects.
• Experience with data analysis, equipment reporting, or dashboard development.