Operational Excellence Consultant Internships
Operational excellence consultant internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience improving real processes, mentorship from working operational excellence consultants, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Chemicals & Materials, with Avient, Elanco, and Sabert among the employers posting roles now.
Find InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 18+ Operational Excellence Consultant Internships
Position
Operational Excellence Intern (Industrial Solutions)
Location
Hendersonville, NC
About us
BorgWarner is a global product leader in delivering innovative and sustainable mobility solutions for the vehicle market. We are a company of innovators and independent thinkers that brings together talented employees, meaningful work, and amazing technology in a unique environment. At BorgWarner we constantly work towards our vision of a clean and energy-efficient world.
Our Culture
We believe the health and safety of our employees are a top priority. We care about our local communities and the global environment. BorgWarner promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive environment, honors integrity, strives for excellence, commits to responsibility for our communities and the environment, and builds on the power of collaboration.
Career Opportunities
We manage talent as seriously as we manage our businesses and encourage you to learn about our proud history, strong culture, technologies, and future vision. We offer a strong local presence and interesting global opportunities. Start your future with BorgWarner now!
Pay
This is a paid internship. Pay rate is based on the intern’s academic standing (e.g., sophomore, junior, senior, graduate).
Students may be eligible to receive housing support and travel reimbursement.
Position Summary
Reporting directly to the Quality and Operational Excellence Senior Manager, the Operational Excellence (OpEx) Intern plays a key role in supporting and advancing continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. This position provides hands-on experience in applying Lean principles, data-driven problem solving, and process optimization techniques to enhance product quality and operational performance. The intern will collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify inefficiencies, implement solutions, and contribute to a culture of excellence and innovation.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in the development, deployment, and sustainment of standardized processes to improve product quality and operational efficiency. Document standard operating procedures (SOPs) and process maps.
- Assist in identifying and analyzing process inefficiencies using Lean methodologies¸ developing standard work, key milestones and deliverables.
- Support data collection, analysis, and reporting for ongoing improvement projects.
- Develop visualizations for our production floor that help our operations team track and prioritize components.
- Participate in Kaizen events and cross-functional workshops.
- Assist visual management tools and dashboards to track performance metrics.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prioritize improvement opportunities based on data-driven analysis and business impact.
Education, Skills, Knowledge, Experience (Minimum Qualifications)
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Industrial, Mechatronic, or Electrical Engineering or Computer Science, or a related field.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI).
- Familiarity with Python, C++ or Java, & SQL, familiarity with Ignition a plus.
- Capable of taking feedback from various sources and developing a ground-up solution that solves production issues.
Core Competencies
- Ethics and Values
- Customer Focus
- Problem Solving Drive for Results
What we believe
- Inclusion: Respecting Individuals
- Integrity: Honoring truth
- Excellence: Focusing on results
- Responsibility: Our commitment
- Collaboration: Building trust
Safety
This position will adhere to the BorgWarner Environmental Health and Safety Program by following all safety rules, procedures, practices, training, and safe use of equipment; this includes use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. This individual will work in a way that stresses the importance of preventing injury, accidents, or illnesses to themselves or co-workers by correcting or reporting unsafe situations, incidents, or occurrences to their Team Lead immediately.
Equal Employment Opportunity
BorgWarner is an equal employment opportunity employer such that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Career Scam Disclaimer
BorgWarner makes no representations or guarantees regarding employment opportunities listed on any third-party website. To protect against career scams, job applicants should take the necessary precautions when interviewing for and accepting employment positions allegedly offered by BorgWarner. Applicants should never provide the national ID numbers, birth dates, credit card numbers, bank account information or other private information when communicating with prospective employers or responding to employment opportunities online. Job applicants are invited to contact BorgWarner through BorgWarner’s website to verify the authenticity of any employment opportunities.
Join the company that is creating solutions that support a cleaner, more energy-efficient world.
For more information about BorgWarner, please visit www.borgwarner.com
Internal Use Only: Indirect Hourly
Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement
Carefully read the BorgWarner Privacy Policy before using this website. Your ability to access and use this website and apply for a job at BorgWarner are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms.
Please access the linked document by clicking here, select the geographical area where you are applying for employment, and review. Before submitting your application you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.
Career Scam Disclaimer: BorgWarner makes no representations or guarantees regarding employment opportunities listed on any third-party website. To protect against career scams, job applicants should take the necessary precautions when interviewing for and accepting employment positions allegedly offered by BorgWarner. Applicants should never provide their national ID numbers, birth dates, credit card numbers, bank account information or other private information when communicating with prospective employers or responding to employment opportunities online. Job applicants are invited to contact BorgWarner through BorgWarner’s website to verify the authenticity of any employment opportunities.
Position
Operational Excellence Intern (Industrial Solutions)
Location
Hendersonville, NC
About us
BorgWarner is a global product leader in delivering innovative and sustainable mobility solutions for the vehicle market. We are a company of innovators and independent thinkers that brings together talented employees, meaningful work, and amazing technology in a unique environment. At BorgWarner we constantly work towards our vision of a clean and energy-efficient world.
Our Culture
We believe the health and safety of our employees are a top priority. We care about our local communities and the global environment. BorgWarner promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive environment, honors integrity, strives for excellence, commits to responsibility for our communities and the environment, and builds on the power of collaboration.
Career Opportunities
We manage talent as seriously as we manage our businesses and encourage you to learn about our proud history, strong culture, technologies, and future vision. We offer a strong local presence and interesting global opportunities. Start your future with BorgWarner now!
Pay
This is a paid internship. Pay rate is based on the intern’s academic standing (e.g., sophomore, junior, senior, graduate).
Students may be eligible to receive housing support and travel reimbursement.
Position Summary
Reporting directly to the Quality and Operational Excellence Senior Manager, the Operational Excellence (OpEx) Intern plays a key role in supporting and advancing continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. This position provides hands-on experience in applying Lean principles, data-driven problem solving, and process optimization techniques to enhance product quality and operational performance. The intern will collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify inefficiencies, implement solutions, and contribute to a culture of excellence and innovation.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in the development, deployment, and sustainment of standardized processes to improve product quality and operational efficiency. Document standard operating procedures (SOPs) and process maps.
- Assist in identifying and analyzing process inefficiencies using Lean methodologies¸ developing standard work, key milestones and deliverables.
- Support data collection, analysis, and reporting for ongoing improvement projects.
- Develop visualizations for our production floor that help our operations team track and prioritize components.
- Participate in Kaizen events and cross-functional workshops.
- Assist visual management tools and dashboards to track performance metrics.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prioritize improvement opportunities based on data-driven analysis and business impact.
Education, Skills, Knowledge, Experience (Minimum Qualifications)
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Industrial, Mechatronic, or Electrical Engineering or Computer Science, or a related field.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI).
- Familiarity with Python, C++ or Java, & SQL, familiarity with Ignition a plus.
- Capable of taking feedback from various sources and developing a ground-up solution that solves production issues.
Core Competencies
- Ethics and Values
- Customer Focus
- Problem Solving Drive for Results
What we believe
- Inclusion: Respecting Individuals
- Integrity: Honoring truth
- Excellence: Focusing on results
- Responsibility: Our commitment
- Collaboration: Building trust
Safety
This position will adhere to the BorgWarner Environmental Health and Safety Program by following all safety rules, procedures, practices, training, and safe use of equipment; this includes use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. This individual will work in a way that stresses the importance of preventing injury, accidents, or illnesses to themselves or co-workers by correcting or reporting unsafe situations, incidents, or occurrences to their Team Lead immediately.
Equal Employment Opportunity
BorgWarner is an equal employment opportunity employer such that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Career Scam Disclaimer
BorgWarner makes no representations or guarantees regarding employment opportunities listed on any third-party website. To protect against career scams, job applicants should take the necessary precautions when interviewing for and accepting employment positions allegedly offered by BorgWarner. Applicants should never provide the national ID numbers, birth dates, credit card numbers, bank account information or other private information when communicating with prospective employers or responding to employment opportunities online. Job applicants are invited to contact BorgWarner through BorgWarner’s website to verify the authenticity of any employment opportunities.
Join the company that is creating solutions that support a cleaner, more energy-efficient world.
For more information about BorgWarner, please visit www.borgwarner.com
Internal Use Only: Indirect Hourly
Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement
Carefully read the BorgWarner Privacy Policy before using this website. Your ability to access and use this website and apply for a job at BorgWarner are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms.
Please access the linked document by clicking here, select the geographical area where you are applying for employment, and review. Before submitting your application you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.
Career Scam Disclaimer: BorgWarner makes no representations or guarantees regarding employment opportunities listed on any third-party website. To protect against career scams, job applicants should take the necessary precautions when interviewing for and accepting employment positions allegedly offered by BorgWarner. Applicants should never provide their national ID numbers, birth dates, credit card numbers, bank account information or other private information when communicating with prospective employers or responding to employment opportunities online. Job applicants are invited to contact BorgWarner through BorgWarner’s website to verify the authenticity of any employment opportunities.
Operational Excellence Consultant Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Chemicals & Materials
Tips for Your Operational Excellence Consultant Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer cohorts
Large employers building summer operational excellence consultant intern cohorts often close applications in October or November, months before the internship starts. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so check listings consistently through the year rather than waiting for a single recruiting season.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for operational excellence consultant interns look for documented evidence of analytical and process thinking, not just a list of coursework. A completed lean project, a process map with measurable outcomes, or a data-backed improvement case study gives recruiters something concrete to assess when your work history is limited.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller operational excellence consultant intern cohorts alongside those campus channels widens the pool of roles you can realistically reach.
Practice your case interview out loud
Operational excellence consultant intern screens typically involve a process improvement case or analytical problem, not just a resume review. Practice explaining your reasoning out loud from start to finish, since interviewers weigh how you structure a problem and communicate your thinking as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Many large manufacturers, healthcare systems, and logistics companies run formal operational excellence or continuous improvement rotational intern programs built to train people new to the field. These cohorts recruit early, fill fast, and are designed for students without deep professional experience, so identify the ones that fit your target industry and get applications in during the first recruiting wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 67% of the operational excellence consultant internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start applying, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you're only reviewing roles that actually fit your situation, not sorting through listings you'd have to decline.
Operational Excellence Consultant Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an operational excellence consultant internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A documented process improvement project, a lean or Six Sigma case study, or a data-backed analysis gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts, and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an operational excellence consultant internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For operational excellence consultant interns, what actually drives it is consistent delivery on real project work, the team's headcount at return-offer time, and how early you signal interest. Position for a return offer by owning your project outcomes, but keep applying to other roles so you're not counting on one outcome.
When should I apply for operational excellence consultant internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers, particularly those running structured summer cohorts, recruit the preceding fall, meaning deadlines arrive months before the internship starts. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you won't miss roles that open and fill quickly outside the traditional recruiting window.
Are operational excellence consultant internships paid?
Most professional operational excellence consultant internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid internships exist primarily at nonprofits or through academic credit arrangements, so read each listing carefully to confirm the structure before applying.
What should an operational excellence consultant internship resume include?
Lead with two or three completed, documented projects rather than work history. For operational excellence consultant candidates, that means process improvement case studies, lean or Six Sigma project write-ups, or data analyses with the tools used clearly listed and links to any published work included. Add relevant coursework in operations, quality management, or industrial engineering, and keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote operational excellence consultant internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 33% of the operational excellence consultant internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early once you decide what works for your situation, and use the work-type filter to surface remote and hybrid roles directly without sorting through every listing.
What is a lean or continuous improvement rotational internship?
Some large manufacturers, healthcare systems, and logistics companies run structured rotational programs that place operational excellence consultant interns across two or three business units in a single summer. These programs are designed for people new to the field, provide direct exposure to different process environments, and recruit early in the fall semester. Identify the programs that fit your target industry and apply in the first recruiting wave, since cohorts are small and competitive.
Can international students get operational excellence consultant internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
See All 18 Operational Excellence Consultant Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Internships