Position Summary

The Summer Engineering Intern supports day-to-day process and plant engineering activities at a calcium carbonate (industrial minerals) manufacturing facility.  Working closely with engineering, production, maintenance, quality, and EHS teams, the intern will help improve safety, reliability, product quality, and operating efficiency across quarrying (as applicable), crushing, grinding, classification, drying, conveying, storage, and bulk packaging/shipping operations.  This role is designed for a hands-on student who wants real-world exposure to industrial operations and continuous improvement in a heavy manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support process troubleshooting and data collection on key unit operations (mills, classifiers, dryers, cyclones/baghouses, pneumatic conveying, silos, bulk loading, bagging systems).
• Develop and maintain operating data summaries (throughput, particle size distribution, moisture, energy use, downtime) and help identify improvement opportunities.
• Assist with continuous improvement efforts (6S, waste elimination, standard work, visual management) to improve safety and productivity.
• Participate in root cause problem solving for quality or reliability issues (e.g., off-spec particle size, moisture excursions, plugging, excessive dusting, conveyor spillage).
• Support small capital and maintenance projects: define scope, update drawings/sketches, coordinate field walkdowns, and track action items.
• Help update or create process documentation such as flow diagrams, SOPs, LOTO references, equipment lists, and preventive maintenance recommendations.
• Verify instrument readings and assist with basic calibration checks under supervision (scales, flow/pressure indicators, temperature/moisture sensors), as site procedures allow.
• Support quality activities by understanding sampling points, test methods, and specifications for calcium carbonate products.
• Participate in daily production meetings, safety talks, and EHS observations; immediately report hazards, near misses, and unsafe conditions.
• Maintain accurate notes, calculations, and deliverables; present findings and recommendations at the end of the internship.

Learning Opportunities / Example Projects

• Evaluate opportunities to reduce dust generation and improve housekeeping around transfer points (with focus on engineering controls).
• Conduct a mass/energy balance on a grinding and classification circuit and recommend operating setpoint adjustments to improve yield or reduce kWh/ton.
• Study moisture control in drying and storage to reduce caking, plugging, or off-spec product moisture.
• Assess pneumatic conveying performance (airflow, line velocities, pressure drop) and support troubleshooting for plugging or excessive wear.
• Create/update a process flow diagram and equipment list for a product line, including critical-to-quality parameters and sampling locations.
• Support a reliability project such as monitoring bearing temperatures/vibration trends, improving lubrication practices, or updating PM tasks.
• Assist with material handling improvements (silo level accuracy, bulk loadout repeatability, bagging rate improvements, reduction of rework/scrap).

Required Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a college level Engineering program, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• Completed at least one year of college coursework by the start of the internship (sophomore standing or above preferred).
• Ability to work safely and effectively in an industrial environment and follow all plant safety rules and procedures.
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to spend time in the field observing equipment and processes.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel; ability to organize data, create charts, and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to work with operators, maintenance technicians, and engineers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest or coursework in minerals processing, powder handling, particulate technology, process control, unit operations, or industrial safety.
• Experience with CAD (AutoCAD or similar), basic P&ID/PFD understanding, or reading mechanical drawings.
• Familiarity with statistical tools (Minitab or similar) and basic continuous improvement methods (Lean/Six Sigma).
• Prior experience in manufacturing, quarrying, mining, or heavy industry (internship, co-op, or summer work).
• Ability to interpret lab/quality data such as particle size distribution and moisture results.

Safety, Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Must be able to wear required PPE (hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, safety-toe footwear, and respiratory protection when required).
• Ability to work around moving equipment, mobile machinery, elevated platforms, and industrial noise.
• Ability to climb stairs/ladders, walk long distances in the plant, and work in hot/cold or dusty areas as conditions require.
• Ability to lift up to 75 lbs occasionally.
• Commitment to following EHS procedures including lockout/tagout, confined space awareness, and safe work permits (training provided as applicable).

Work Schedule & Location

Full-time, on-site internship during the summer term (typically 10–12 weeks).  Standard daytime schedule; occasional early/late hours may be requested to support process trials, maintenance outages, or production needs.  This position is based at our Florence, Vermont facility producing calcium carbonate products.

What We Offer

• Hands-on exposure to industrial minerals processing and manufacturing operations.
• Mentorship from experienced engineers and operators, with a defined project and end-of-term presentation.
• Opportunities to develop practical skills in safety, problem solving, data analysis, and project execution.
• $20 per hour.

How to Apply

Submit a resume and brief cover letter highlighting relevant coursework, project experience, and interest in industrial minerals manufacturing.  Selected candidates may be asked to provide an unofficial transcript and references.