Operational Excellence Specialist Internships
Operational excellence specialist internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience in process improvement and operational analysis, 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.
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Showing 5 of 18+ Operational Excellence Specialist 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 Specialist Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Chemicals & Materials
Tips for Your Operational Excellence Specialist Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think necessary
Large employers fill summer operational excellence specialist intern cohorts the preceding fall, often closing applications before winter break. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates. Check listings throughout the year rather than waiting for a single recruiting season so you catch both waves.
Build a documented process improvement project now
Hiring teams for operational excellence specialist internships have little work history to assess, so your projects carry the weight. Document at least one process improvement initiative using a structured approach, name the tools you used, include measurable outcomes where possible, and make it accessible in a portfolio, case study PDF, or linked write-up.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
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 cohorts alongside your campus activity widens the pool you reach and surfaces opportunities that never appear at a fair.
Practice your interview format before you submit your first application
Operational excellence specialist intern screens often involve a case-style conversation where you walk through how you would diagnose a process problem and propose a solution. Practice answering out loud and explaining your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as the final answer you land on.
Target structured continuous improvement programs at larger employers
Many large manufacturers, healthcare organizations, and logistics companies run rotational or cohort-based internship programs built specifically to train people new to operational excellence work. These programs recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones that fit your location and interests and submit applications in the first wave of their recruiting cycle.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 67% of the operational excellence specialist internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through listings on Migrate Mate, then filter by location and work type so your time goes to roles you can actually take.
Operational Excellence Specialist Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an operational excellence specialist internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. The concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a documented process improvement project, a process map, or a case study showing root-cause analysis and measurable outcomes. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an operational excellence specialist internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for operational excellence specialist interns is performance on real project deliverables, available headcount on the team, and how early the return-offer conversation happens. Position for one by treating every project like it matters, without counting on a standing offer at the end.
When should I apply for operational excellence specialist internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers recruit summer cohorts the preceding fall, so applications for June start dates often open in August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, which means openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly rather than waiting for a single season keeps you from missing the early waves.
Are operational excellence specialist internships paid?
Most professional operational excellence specialist internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, so there is no single standard. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it. Internships framed as academic credit arrangements exist but are less common in professional operational roles at established organizations.
What should an operational excellence specialist internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that show the tools you used, such as process mapping software, Lean or Six Sigma frameworks, or data analysis tools, along with where a recruiter can see the work, whether that is a linked case study, a portfolio PDF, or a GitHub repository. Add relevant coursework and keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote operational excellence specialist internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 33% of the operational excellence specialist internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early once you decide what works for your situation and filter by work type to surface those roles quickly.
What is a Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement rotational internship?
Some larger manufacturers, healthcare systems, and logistics companies run structured rotational internship programs focused on continuous improvement, placing interns across two or three operational departments over a single summer. These programs are built to train people new to the field, recruit earlier than general postings, and are competitive. Identifying and applying to them in the first wave of recruiting gives you the strongest shot.
Can international students get operational excellence specialist 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.
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