Mechanical Engineer Co-op

About Us

Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates. Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and health care applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.

At Syensqo, we seek to promote unity and not uniformity. We value the diversity that individuals bring and we invite you to consider a future with us, regardless of background, age, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability or identity.

About the Role

The Engineering Co-op’s main responsibility is to apply knowledge gained from their engineering education to address manufacturing opportunities at the Syensqo, Rock Hill site. The Engineering Co-op will lead and support projects that affect productivity, quality and maintenance under the guidance of the Site Technical Manager and Production Engineers. The Engineering Co-op will collaborate with various departments, establish and maintain a line of communication with plant staff to achieve project goals and keep stakeholders informed about the progress of each project.

Responsibilities

• Work full time work weeks (40 hours) during co-op duration
• Manage and complete assigned projects under the guidance of engineering staff
• Effectively communicate with plant staff to identify and determine solutions for assigned work
• Use SAP to perform daily functions
• Learn to navigate and use the document control system
• Support method of change documentation to implement project solutions
• Ensure safe work practices and proper implementation of project solutions by utilizing the Syensqo safety work permit system
• Support production activities by troubleshooting and completing tasks for improved operation
• Support the tracking of production metrics and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives
• Track the progress of production runs and provide updates to management
• Communicate with production teams to resolve any issues that may arise during the manufacturing process
• Effectively prioritize time spent on the floor and working on projects

HS&E Responsibilities

• Always approach your job with the principle that all incidents are preventable
• Perform your job in a sound HS&E manner to protect yourself and those around you
• Adopt a risk assessment mindset, continuously assessing hazards and thinking about means to avoid them
• Take a proactive approach to maintain excellence in all assignments
• Be aware of your state of mind (rushing, frustration, fatigue & complacency) that leads to distractions and errors
• Use all available tools: HS&E training, S.A.F.E. Observations, Risk Assessment, Incident Reporting, checklists, and Manufacturing Excellence tools
• Ensure job completion includes good housekeeping, filling necessary reports, and watching for your safety and that of others
• Maintain and clean your Personal Protective Equipment properly
• Participate actively to foster ownership and involvement

What We Offer

• Guided research where observation, independent deduction and directional input will be encouraged
• Support and training on lab work and safety
• Opportunity to interact with different research teams in several scientific domains (e.g., microbiology, analytical, process safety)
• Development of scientific, project management skills and knowledge on methodology

Requirements

• Must be eligible to work at a NIST/Export Control site
• No sponsorship provided
• Currently enrolled as a Junior in an ABET accredited Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering program
• Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Basic understanding of mechanical and electromechanical systems and their practical application
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical concepts to technical and non-technical staff
• Strong time management skills and the ability to handle multiple projects at once
• Self-starter with attention to detail and customer-focused mindset
• Prior experience with ERP systems is a plus
• Prior manufacturing experience is a plus
• Hands-on mentality
• Must be able to work safely in hot manufacturing work environment
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds

Pay

Competitive salary: hourly rate of $24-$25/hourly, depending on experience and education.

Schedule

This is a Fall internship (August - December 2026).