Engineering Intern

Role details

ADCO Plastics is an international leader in mold building. Located in Metro Atlanta, with the plant nestled in Marietta, ADCO Plastics has been manufacturing custom injection molded assemblies and parts since 1974. We serve the medical, commercial, industrial, transportation, and retail markets with a wide range of commodity grade and engineered resins and thermoplastics rubbers.

Our experienced engineers assist with product design, mold design, material selection, secondary operations, quality assurance, packaging, and shipping. With molding capabilities ranging from 25 to 700 tons, ADCO can accommodate a wide variety of part designs and complexities.

We are seeking an experienced Engineering Intern / Co-Op to join our dynamic team!

Position: Engineering Intern / Co-Op

Role Description: The Engineering Intern / Co-op will support manufacturing, process engineering, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives within a plastic injection molding environment. This role provides hands-on experience with molding processes, tooling, automation, quality systems, and production operations. The intern will work closely with engineering, engineering technicians, production personnel, tooling, and quality teams to assist in improving process capability, standardizing documentation, and enhancing operational efficiency.

Reports to Engineering Manager.

Predominantly works in office & plant.

Desired Experience: 0-2 years

Learning Objectives:

• Develop a practical understanding of injection molding processes and manufacturing operations
• Exposure to real-world production constraints, including cost, quality, and delivery requirements
• Apply structures problem-solving mythologies (e.g. 5-Why, Fishbone Diagram, DOE: Design of Experiment)
• Collaborate with engineering technician, tooling, production and quality to develop practical solutions for manufacturing challenges
• Work with manufacturing documentation to identify standardization opportunities to improve operational efficiency and repeatability

Key Responsibilities:

Process Engineering

• Participate in tool evaluations, mold trials / sampling, validation runs, and capability studies
• Analyze and document manufacturing processes by collecting operational data, evaluating process parameters, and developing standardized procedures to improve consistency, efficiency, and quality
• Assist in optimizing take-out robot sequences to ensure reliable part removable, minimize cycle time, and mtaining consistent part handling during injection molding operation
• Identify existing process documentation and develop standardized templates for set-up sheets, work instructions, and parameter sheets to improve the plastic injection mold process.

Continuous Improvement

• Support corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities via root cause analysis on defects (short shots, flash, warp, splay, burn, etc.).
• Assist with Kaizen / Lean projects targeting scrap reduction, cycle time reduction, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) improvement
• Establish a standardized cataloging and tracking system for critical press components (e.g., clamp bolts, knock-out rods, extruder nozzles, and auxiliary equipment) to streamline replacement, reduce downtime, and improve maintenance readiness

Tooling / Fabrication

• Support scheduled tooling preventative maintenance and PM documentation updates
• Identify opportunities to improve assembly operations by developing and implementing customer fixtures, jibs, and tooling to enhance productivity and consistency
• Assist in the design fabrication of end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) for take-out robots to support reliable part handing, proper part orientation, and efficient integration with injection molding operations

Quality & Data Analysis

• Perform dimensional data analysis using calipers, micrometers, and CMM reports (as applicable).
• Support PPAP documentation and validation reports
• Review and revision job books to ensure accurate, up-to-date tooling information, process instructions, and assembly procedures for consistent production performance

Required Qualifications:

• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in:
• Mechanical / Manufacturing / Mechatronics Engineering
• Industrial / Systems Engineering
• Strong analytical & problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Physical Qualifications:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods within a manufacturing shop environment
• Ability to lift and move materials up to 30 lbs when assisting with tooling or equipment
• Ability to safely use basic hand tools and measurement instruments
• Ability to work safely around industrial machinery while following established safety procedures
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toe footwear

Compensation: $18-22 per hour, based on experience and capabilities.

Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour

Work Location: In person