Process Improvement Intern Engineer

Company Overview: Come join our team today! Polycorp is a local manufacturer in San Jose, CA, specializing in designing and manufacturing engineered elastomeric solutions for energy and aerospace industries. Joining the team means you will come alongside a tenured and experienced team to help enhance our safety culture on the site, and be an integral part of our company goal: to protect people, processes and the planet – with precision and purpose.

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Process Engineer is responsible for developing, improving, and supporting manufacturing processes to ensure safety, quality, cost efficiency, and operational excellence. This role manages process design, costing, and Bill of Materials (BOM) accuracy while leading continuous improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, reduce waste, and promote standardization across the facility.

The position partners closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to ensure optimal product flow and cost‑effective manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Process Engineering & Manufacturing Support Develop, document, and optimize manufacturing processes, work instructions, and SOPs. Improve equipment layout, tooling, and workflow for efficiency. Lead root cause analysis using DMAIC, 5 Why, and other structured problem-solving tools. Conduct time studies, capacity analysis, and production line balancing.

Costing, BOM Management & Product Configuration Create, update, and audit Bills of Materials (BOMs) and routings. Perform cost analysis on labor, materials, scrap, and overhead. Support new product introductions through costing and process definition. Collaborate with Finance and Supply Chain to evaluate cost-saving opportunities.

Continuous Improvement / Lean / Six Sigma Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. Facilitate cross-functional teams to reduce defects, enhance throughput, and eliminate waste. Track CI results and implement control plans for long-term sustainability. Train employees on Lean, 5S, and problem-solving tools.

Quality & Compliance Improve process capability and reduce variation in manufacturing. Support CAPA investigations and implement corrective actions. Monitor KPIs such as scrap, yield, and uptime and develop improvement actions. Collaboration & Cross-Functional Support Partner with Engineering on ECOs and manufacturability reviews.

Work with Maintenance on equipment upgrades and process reliability. Assist Supply Chain in addressing vendor and material quality issues.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Chemical, Manufacturing, or related field). Experience 3-5+ years of experience in manufacturing or process engineering. Experience with costing, BOM management, or ERP systems preferred. Certifications Lean Six Sigma Green to Black Belt preferred (not required).

Skills Proficiency in Microsoft Office and statistical software (e.g., MiniTab). Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, DOE, SPC, and problem-solving methodologies. Strong communication and collaboration skills. Competencies Process Engineering & Optimization Lean & Continuous Improvement Root Cause Analysis & Problem Solving BOM & Cost Analysis Teamwork & Collaboration Training & Coaching Physical Requirements: The role primarily operates in a plant environment with frequent interaction in production areas.

It requires the ability to walk, stand, lift up to 50 pounds, and safely navigate manufacturing environments while wearing required PPE.