Operational Excellence Leader Internships
Operational excellence leader internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience improving real processes, mentorship from working operational excellence practitioners, 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 Leader 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 Leader Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Chemicals & Materials
Tips for Your Operational Excellence Leader Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer cohorts
Large manufacturers, healthcare systems, and logistics companies open their summer operational excellence leader internship cohorts as early as September or October. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so roles appear year-round. Treat the fall recruiting window as your primary deadline and check for new listings weekly after that.
Build a documented process improvement project now
Operational excellence leader intern recruiters need something concrete to assess when you have limited work history. A documented lean or process improvement project, with a clear problem statement, tools applied, and a measurable outcome, gives them that. A written case study, a process map, or a before-and-after analysis works. Coursework in Six Sigma, industrial engineering, or operations management strengthens the same profile.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured intern programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Professors and career center staff frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to smaller companies running cohorts outside campus channels at the same time to widen your reach.
Practice your problem-solving walk-out loud before interviews
Operational excellence leader intern screens typically involve a process analysis scenario or a case conversation where you diagnose a workflow problem and propose improvements. Interviewers weigh how you structure your thinking as much as the final answer. Practice walking through your reasoning aloud, naming the tools or frameworks you would apply and why, before your first real screen.
Target structured rotational programs early
Larger companies in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics run cohort or rotational intern programs specifically built to train people new to operational excellence. These programs recruit in the fall, fill fast, and give you exposure across multiple process areas in one summer. Identify the programs that match your industry focus and submit in the first wave of their application window.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 67% of the operational excellence leader internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you search, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you are not sorting through roles you cannot take.
Operational Excellence Leader Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an operational excellence leader internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For operational excellence leader candidates, the concrete artifact recruiters want to assess is a documented process improvement or lean project, ideally with a problem statement, tools used, and measurable outcome. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an operational excellence leader internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For operational excellence leader interns, what actually drives it is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team at the time an offer would start, and understanding the return-offer timeline early enough to plan around it. Position for one by delivering results, without counting on it.
When should I apply for operational excellence leader internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before the calendar year turns. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, which means openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role opens gives you the best shot before cohorts fill.
Are operational excellence leader internships paid?
Most professional operational excellence leader 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 but are uncommon in corporate or manufacturing settings where this role typically lives.
What should an operational excellence leader internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects showing the tools you used, the problem you addressed, and where the work can be reviewed, such as a linked case study, process map, or portfolio write-up. Add relevant coursework in lean, Six Sigma, industrial engineering, or operations management. Keep the whole thing to one page.
Are there remote operational excellence leader internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 33% of the operational excellence leader internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a lean or Six Sigma rotational internship for operational excellence?
Some larger manufacturers and logistics companies run structured rotational programs that place interns across two or three process improvement projects in different business units over a single summer. These programs are designed for people new to the field, recruit in the fall for the following summer, and are competitive. Identify the ones that fit your target industry and apply in the first wave.
Can international students get operational excellence leader 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 Leader Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Internships