About the role#
The Engineering Co-Op program at Southwire provides students with practical experience in a manufacturing environment. You will work alongside process engineers, maintenance, and quality teams to support daily plant operations and continuous improvement initiatives. Each co-op is assigned an individual project at the start of the term, which you will manage, track, and present to leadership at the end of your rotation.
What you'll do#
- Support process engineers with projects that optimize cable manufacturing, including extrusion, stranding, and material handling.
- Spend time on the production floor to observe workflows, gather data, and help resolve issues related to safety, quality, and downtime.
- Assist with structured problem-solving and root-cause investigations.
- Collect and analyze manufacturing data such as scrap, yield, speed, and overall equipment effectiveness.
- Apply continuous improvement tools like 5S, standard work, time studies, and process mapping.
- Help plan and document process trials, equipment evaluations, and product qualifications.
- Create or update technical documentation, including work instructions, standard operating procedures, and training materials.
- Assist with projects involving equipment, tooling, layout, automation, and ergonomics.
- Participate in safety reviews, risk assessments, and corrective actions.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production employees, supervisors, and external suppliers.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in an accredited college or university pursuing a degree in engineering, science, business, sustainability, or a related field.
- A minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Experience with AutoCAD.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Experience in systems thinking and process management.
- Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Reliable transportation to and from the work site.
Location & details#
- Location: Huntersville, North Carolina.
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Modality: On-site.
- Schedule: Full-time, 40-hour work weeks during the rotation.
About Southwire Company
Southwire Company manufactures building wire, utility cable, and installation tools. The business serves the electrical and industrial sectors. It operates as a privately held organization based in Carrollton, Georgia. Founded in 1950, the company employs between 5,001 and 10,000 people.
How to get in at Southwire Company
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