Manufacturing Engineering Intern - Summer 2025

You may not know our name, but you know our products.  What we make is part of the places where we live, work and play – all day, everyday. 

Zekelman is a family of companies — 100% domestic manufacturers — with a legacy dating back to 1877. We’re proud to be the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and the leading innovator in multi-family housing development.   

We believe in what we build and what we build, builds the world around us.  Hospitals, hotels, schools, bridges, airports and more. 

Come build a career you believe in. 

Wheatland Tube, a division of Zekelman Industries, is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Intern located in Rochelle, IL. This internship is designed to hire students who will be seeking positions upon graduation. Reporting to the Operations Manager, the intern plans utilization of facilities, equipment, materials and personnel to improve efficiency of operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans and designs layouts for optimal efficiency using drafting tools or computer-aided design and drafting equipment, considering available floor space.
• Analyzes operations, business flow, and materials to create scale drawings for efficient placement of personnel and equipment.
• Establishes work measurement programs and analyzes samples to set standards for labor utilization.
• Examines workforce, facility layout, and operational data, preparing and evaluating Excel documents to support decision-making.
• Leads or assists in continuous improvement projects to resolve issues and enhance process flow, productivity, and quality.
• Develops and refines manufacturing processes, equipment, and products, implementing new methods with management input.
• Collaborates with Production, Quality, and Finance Departments to identify root causes of net yield loss, measuring process outputs and determining equipment capacity.
• Enhances documentation of processes and procedures, creating and updating routings, work instructions, and blueprints to ensure cost-efficient compliance with customer specifications and quality standards.
• Assists in analyzing prime net yield to maximize profitability.
• Maintains daily documentation, collects data, and performs statistical analysis to improve process effectiveness.
• Conducts experiments to optimize processes and reports findings to the management team.
• Leads and promotes healthy and safe work practices as required by regulatory agencies and Company p
• Performs other duties as they might be assigned.
• Regular, full-time predictable onsite attendance is an essential function of this role.

REQUIREMENTS

• Current College student pursuing a bachelor's degree in industrial or manufacturing engineering
• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to travel to Internship Summit, hosted at one of our Zekelman Industries’ locations

PERKS OF INTERNSHIP

• PAID internship experience, offering meaningful, hands-on work
• Opportunity to collaborate with passionate teammates, engage in professional development, and receive regular feedback to support growth
• Participation in company-wide networking events, learning sessions, and intern social activities

#LI-SZ1

Zekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental benefits.  In addition, we have an amazing tuition assistance program, a bonus plan, a 401(k) plan with a generous company match, immediate vesting, and much more.

M/F/D/V

We are Zekelman Industries.

We manufacture superior quality tubular and related products, and provide outstanding service for our valued customers.

We seek to continuously advance the skills and opportunities of our employees, utilizing the latest technology and management tools available to consistently increase profitability and the enterprise value of Zekelman Industries and of our customers.