Internship - 2026 Undergraduate Process Engineer Intern - Chemical Operations

Job Description:

Internship - 2026 Undergraduate Process Engineer Intern - Chemical Operations

The role of Undergraduate Process 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 it’s 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 candidate’s 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: Cordova, IL; Cottage Grove, MN; Decatur, AL

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As an Undergraduate Process 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 process and identifying inefficiencies in the process

• Working 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

• Supporting the modification and improvement of existing process conditions, methods and/or solutions

• Performing and coordinating product testing and verification for process changes in accordance with established test protocols 

• 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

• 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

• Creating and maintaining product/process documentation, including specifications, test methods, and change management documentation

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 bachelor’s degree, or higher, from an accredited institution

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher in 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:

• Cordova, IL

• Cottage Grove, MN

• Decatur, AL

Travel: No travel associated with this internshi