Job Description:
Internship - 2026 Undergraduate Industrial Engineer Intern (Knoxville, IA)
The role of Undergraduate Industrial Engineer Intern is intended to start in Summer 2026.
Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World
Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so itās equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.
An internship is a temporary position within 3M. Interns typically work a full-time schedule throughout a 10-12 week assignment. This position is limited to working 899 hours per service credit year. 3M provides eligible interns with a housing and transportation stipend in accordance with current policy.
This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.
Applications on this requisition are reviewed and filled on a rolling basis; it is in the candidateās best interest to apply as soon as possible. Interested candidates should include a resume as part of their application.
Candidates applying for this role will be considered for Summer 2026 Internships based in one of the following plant locations:
Knoxville, IA
The Impact Youāll Make in this Role
As an Undergraduate Industrial Engineer Intern, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:
Gaining an understanding of the Manufacturing process and identifying inefficiencies in the process
WorkingĀ 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
SupportingĀ 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.
Your Skills and Expertise
To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:
Currently pursuing a bachelorās degree, or higher, from an accredited institution
Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:
Currently pursuing aĀ bachelorāsĀ degreeĀ or higher inĀ 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
Work location: This role has on-site working model, with the employee working at least four days a week in one of the following manufacturing facilities:
Knoxville, IA
Travel: No travel associated with this internship.
3M provides eligible interns with a housing and transportation stipend in accordance with current policy.
Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).
Responsibilities of this position may include direct and/or indirect physical or logical access to information, systems, technologies subjected to the regulations/compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws.
U.S. Export Control laws and U.S. Government Department of Defense contracts and sub-contracts impose certain restrictions on companies and their ability to share export-controlled and other technology and services with certain "non-U.S. persons" (persons who are not U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., refugees, "Temporary Residents" (granted Amnesty or Special Agricultural Worker provisions), or persons granted asylum.
To comply with these laws, 3M must help assess candidates' U.S. person status.
The questions asked in this application are intended to assess this and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Failure to provide the necessary information in this regard will result in our inability to consider you further for this particular position.
Supporting Your Well-beingĀ
3M offers many programs to help you live your best life ā both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.Ā
Chat with Max
For assistance with searching through our current job openings or for more information about all things 3M, visit Max, our virtual recruiting assistant on 3M.com/careers
All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.Learn more about 3Mās creative solutions to the worldās problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly.
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