About the role#
This is a 12-week, full-time, paid Summer 2027 internship based in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. You will work on-site with the manufacturing engineering team to support the design and operation of manufacturing systems for Unmanned Air Vehicles. This program provides hands-on experience in manufacturing process design, factory planning, and production support.
What you'll do#
- Support and improve manufacturing processes to increase efficiency and quality.
- Implement Lean Manufacturing principles and apply Six Sigma methods for continuous improvement.
- Analyze production data, including yields, capacity, cost, and process capability.
- Establish and document standard work hours, sequences, and assembly procedures.
- Generate and update work instructions for manufacturing processes.
- Participate in root cause analysis for materials, design, equipment, and personnel issues.
- Assist in manufacturing capacity planning and factory layout design.
- Support cost estimation for new tooling, fixtures, and production equipment.
- Collaborate with design engineering on Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and reliability analysis.
- Support Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Process FMEA (PFMEA) activities.
- Gain experience on the production floor with assembly and integration processes.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, or a related engineering field.
- Junior level or above preferred with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Coursework or experience in manufacturing, process improvement, or quality control.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to travel occasionally to supplier sites (up to 10%).
- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, electro-mechanical manufacturing, technical drawings, and Bill of Materials is a plus.
- Experience with Visio, Minitab, or CAD software like SolidWorks is a plus.
- Ability to qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR and EAR regulations.
Location & details#
- Location: Pottstown, Pennsylvania (On-site).
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Employment Type: Full-time.
- Compensation: Paid internship.
About AV
AV is a public company based in Arlington, Virginia, that specializes in defense and space manufacturing. The firm develops unmanned aircraft systems, ground robots, and software for autonomous platforms. It employs 3,034 people across multiple locations in the United States and Germany. The company focuses on integrated capabilities for modern defense missions.
How to get in at AV
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