Professional Development Program (PDP) Internship - Mechanical Engineering Summer 2026

Professional Development Program (PDP) Internship - Mechanical Engineering Summer 2026

The world needs solutions, and we need you! At BASF, we create chemistry through the power of connected minds. By balancing economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, we are building a more sustainable future through chemistry. As the world’s leading chemical company, we help our customers in nearly every industry meet the current and future needs of society through science and innovation.

 

Join BASF for our 10 to 12-week Mechanical Engineering Professional Development Program (PDP) Internship, where you'll immerse yourself in our dynamic Manufacturing and R&D teams. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working on impactful projects that support our business objectives. You’ll collaborate closely with seasoned professionals, gaining insights into our mechanical engineering processes and strategies.

 

This experience will equip you with essential skills in Manufacturing, Operations and Technology, Corporate Engineering, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Maintenance, Research and Development (R&D), and Construction. Our internship is designed to accelerate your career growth by providing you with leadership opportunities and strategic insights critical for a successful future in mechanical engineering.

 

We welcome applicants who are mobile-minded and open to relocation, as you may have the opportunity to be placed at any BASF site across the country. This will enhance your exposure to diverse business environments and deepen your understanding of our global operations.

 

Embrace this opportunity to kickstart your career at BASF, where innovation and collaboration drive our success!

Are you ready to create change?

In our Mechanical Engineering program, no two days are alike. You'll engage in a dynamic environment where you'll tackle diverse challenges, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and adapt to rapidly changing situations. This role offers the opportunity to innovate and problem-solve in real-time, making every day an exciting and unique experience.

 

Some key areas of impact may include:

• You will work closely with talented engineers and technicians to gain experience with the technical and scientific aspects of plant engineering. You will work with mentors and learn leading manufacturing principles.

• You will be exposed to high impact initiatives such as plant turnaround support, capital project implementation, engineering process design, asset effectiveness and reliability, and technical network presentations.
• You will work on continuous assessment and improvement of engineering and business processes to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and maximize productivity. This could involve implementing new technologies, redesigning and digitalizing workflows, or adopting lean methodologies.
• You will engage in real world responsibilities and problem-solving through immersive experiences in engineering roles. This could involve organizing risk assessments, meeting daily production targets, designing equipment reliability concepts, or upgrading process equipment.

 

Unlock Your Potential: More than Just a Job

Professional Development:

Exposure to Mechanical engineering applications and digital tools such as PowerBI, Power Apps, and many more. At the end of the internship, you will present your summer project to fellow interns, BASF employees, and senior leaders, showcasing your impact and contributions.

 

Mentorship

Each participant will be assigned a peer mentor for their internship. Peer mentors are full-time program participants and serve as a guide throughout the program. You will develop your expertise and the ability to network at senior levels throughout BASF and establish mentoring relationships that could span your whole career.

 

Networking

Interns have the opportunity to participate in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) at their site. Successfully engaging across the business throughout your internship will expand your network, allow you to grow personally and professionally, and learn a variety of valuable skill sets. Interns will also participate in a week-long orientation during which they will have the opportunity to engage with alumni and executive leadership at our headquarters in New Jersey. Additionally, interns will collaborate with full-time P/LDP program participants to organize and participate in a community service volunteer day in celebration of National Intern Day.

Your Unique Blend: What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate for our Professional Development Program internship at BASF is a student major