Industrial Engineer Intern

About the Role

FORVIA is seeking a year-round Industrial Engineer Intern for its location in Simpsonville, KY. This role supports plant operations by assisting with data-driven process improvement projects on the production floor, providing hands-on manufacturing experience through the application of basic Industrial Engineering and Lean Manufacturing principles while contributing measurable value to safety, quality, delivery, and productivity goals. This internship aligns with FORVIA's intent to develop early-career talent through meaningful work, mentorship, and exposure to real manufacturing challenges.

Primary Responsibilities

• Spend time on the production floor observing operations, asking questions, and learning manufacturing processes
• Assist with documenting current-state processes, including process flow diagrams, work sequence and operator task breakdowns, and production layouts
• Perform time studies and basic work measurement under supervision
• Support standard work development and updates
• Support or lead individual improvement activities such as time study and labor analysis projects (conduct time observations, compare actual vs. standard times, identify variability, waste, or balance opportunities)
• Support layout or material flow improvement by observing motion and material travel and recommending simple layout or point-of-use improvements
• Identify non-value-added activities (waiting, motion, excess handling) and propose practical, low-cost improvement ideas
• Assist with development or maintenance of production boards and help summarize daily or weekly performance data
• Collect and organize production data (output, downtime, scrap, labor, etc.)
• Use Excel or similar tools to summarize trends and present findings
• Prepare simple presentations or reports explaining observations, data, and improvement recommendations
• Communicate professionally with operators, supervisors, engineers, and managers
• Participate in team meetings, improvement discussions, and plant activities as assigned
• Learn basic problem-solving methods through real applications
• Maintain organized documentation of work and learning progress
• Follow all plant safety rules, environmental requirements, and quality standards
• Perform work in a way that supports operator safety and process stability
• Immediately report any observed safety risks to supervision

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering
• Available to work a consistent hourly schedule based on plant needs
• Basic understanding of manufacturing or process improvement concepts
• Ability to work in a production environment (standing, walking, observing operations)
• Minimum 2.8 GPA

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Coursework or exposure to Lean Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering tools
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel (formulas, tables)
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn by doing
• Curious and observant mindset
• Comfortable asking questions and engaging on the shop floor
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Positive attitude toward hands-on work

Internship Structure

• Hourly role with defined responsibilities and learning objectives
• Direct supervision and mentoring from a Continuous Improvement Manager
• Exposure to real-world manufacturing operations and improvement work
• Opportunity to complete at least one defined improvement project during the internship

What We Offer

• Engaging and dynamic environment where you can contribute to the development of sustainable mobility leading technologies
• Opportunity for career development within the seventh-largest global automotive supplier, employing more than 157,000 people in more than 40 countries
• Learning environment with an average of more than 22 hours of online and in-person training within FORVIA University (five campuses around the world)
• Multicultural environment that values diversity and international collaboration, with gender diversity targets and inclusion action plans
• Commitment to sustainability as the first global automotive group certified with the SBTI Net-Zero Standard, aligned with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal