Top Food Industry Engineering Internships for Summer 2022
The food and beverage industry offers engineering students a wide range of exciting ways to use their technical knowledge while helping to feed the world. One of the best ways to gain practical, hands-on experience is through an internship with a food and beverage manufacturing company.
Powder & Bulk Solids editors compiled this master list of engineering internships at US food and beverage firms for summer 2022 to provide a resource to students looking for professional development opportunities. The positions included were active on company websites and LinkedIn as of March 1.
Check out the opportunities below!
Anheuser-Busch InBev
AB InBev will host manufacturing interns at its St. Louis brewery this summer. Representative image.
Manufacturing & Engineering Trainee Program Internship
St. Louis, MO
See how some of the world’s most iconic beer and adult beverage brands are manufactured during this 10-week program at AB InBev’s St. Louis, MO location. Students will be exposed to a variety of duties and roles in the internship. Current or recent undergraduate engineering students are encouraged to apply.
View the internship listing.
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
Representative image.
Energy Efficiency Engineering Intern
Decatur, IL
This internship focuses on supporting the safety, efficiency, and reliability of manufacturing systems at ADM’s Decatur, IL site. Students will take part in technology evaluations, production engineering, data mining, and modelling to support improvements to the location’s electrical and thermal power systems. The company seeks engineering students who are seniors or above.
View the internship listing.
Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI)
Process Engineering Intern
Portage, WI
Learn about the production of cheese, powdered dairy products, and butter in this summer internship with AMPI. Participants in the program will assist in manufacturing, safety, health, and environmental efforts, quality inspections, maintenance and more. The position runs from May to August.
View the internship listing.
B&G Foods
Engineering Internship
Stoughton, WI
Shelf-stable and frozen foods manufacturer B&G Foods allows students to develop experience in the production and maintenance departments at its Stoughton, WI facility in this summer position. Those who participate in the program will assist in the management of projects, document standard operating procedures, share best practices among stakeholders, and help solve problems in the operation. Applicants must be earning an engineering degree.
View the internship listing.
Barry Callebaut
Chocolate maker and cocoa processor Barry Callebaut has an internship opportunity for engineers this summer. Representative image.
Maintenance Intern
Dunmore, PA
Cocoa processor and chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut seeks a maintenance intern this summer at its Dunmore, PA facility to create process maps (PMs) for the facility’s assets, including process equipment, organize an equipment library for maintenance team queries, prepare KPIs for tracking and reporting, and conduct XRF analysis in foreign material investigations. Applicants must have one year of experience as an intern in another manufacturing operation.
View the internship listing.
Blue Diamond Growers
A view of the Blue Diamond Growers processing plant in Turlock, CA.
Engineering Intern
Turlock, CA
Interns carry out capital projects, increase manufacturing process stability, and help prepare assets capitalization packages in this summer internship at Blue Diamond Growers’ Turlock, CA location. Students earning degrees in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering are ideal applicants.
View the internship listing.
Operations Intern
Turlock, CA
Students with a background in mechanical or industrial engineering are encouraged to apply for this role at Blue Diamond’s Turlock site. Over the summer, interns take part in completing a centerline process for a packaging line, participate in a yield improvement project for slicing and slivering, and take on other duties. Juniors and above are preferred.
View the internship listing.
Manufacturing Process Intern
Sacramento, CA
Participants in Blue Diamond’s manufacturing process internship at its. Sacramento, CA site will create and document work standards and define and drive manufacturing process stability during the program. Sophomores and above earning engineering or other technical degrees are well suited for the position.
View the internship listing.
Process Improvement Intern
Sacramento, CA
Utilize technical knowledge from the classroom in a real-world manufacturing environment this summer in Blue Diamond’s process improvement internship program in Sacramento. Participants will help to establish a process for validating manufacturing labor standards and assist in the management and execution of projects. Engineering students who are juniors and above can apply for the role.
View the internship listing.
Bunge
Research & Development Intern – Milling
St. Charles, MO
Explore the relationships between food ingredients, processing equipment, and finished products in this summer internship with agribusiness Bunge. Students assist in operating food preparation equipment, offer opinions on quality of final food properties, and provide technical recommendations on the competitive functionality of grain-based ingredients.
View the internship listing.
Research & Development Intern – Protein
St. Charles, MO
Students can apply for a role with Bunge’s protein applications team that will provide experience in the rapidly growing alternative dairy and alternative meat food categories. Participants assist with ingredient characterization, demo formulation, and application shelf life testing, as well as creating safety documents for equipment and processes.
View the internship listing.
Cargill
Cargill is looking for engineering students for internships in its US operations this summer. Representative image.
Engineer Internship
Various US Locations
Use your technical knowledge in this engineering internship program with agribusiness Cargill. The role allows students to gain experience in production management, environmental improvements, process and project engineering, and maintenance and reliability. The position is open to sophomores or above in engineering programs.
View the internship listing.
Coca-Cola Co.
Package R&D and Innovation Intern
Atlanta, GA
Interns will work for eight weeks at Coca-Cola’s Atlanta headquarters to optimize the company’s packaging portfolio and develop new packaging. Students will participate in ideation, design, and development, as well as pilots and trials. Juniors or above in engineering programs are ideal for the role.
View the internship listing.
Engineering Intern
Atlanta, GA
In this role with Coca-Cola, students will take on the management, implementation, and execution of technical projects and work with a variety of stakeholders to identify solutions and opportunities. Students enrolled in bachelor’s engineering degree programs should apply.
View the internship listing.
Conagra Brands
Food Process Engineering Internship
Oakdale, CA
Running from May through August, this internship at the Conagra Brands location in Oakdale, CA enables budding engineers to assist in operations and research and development. Participants also evaluate equipment and operational issues and recommend solutions. Engineering majors who have at least one semester of studies remaining are desired.
View the internship listing.
Project Engineering Internship
Various US Locations
Participants in this program will be placed at one of Conagra’s plants across the US and work from May to August on a variety of project engineering tasks. Depending on the facility’s needs, interns may support project startups, developing and updating specifications, creating technical solutions, and more. The company seeks engineering students who have at least one semester remaining in their studies.
View the internship listing.
Manufacturing Internship
Various US Locations
Engineering students can get hands on experience in a manufacturing environment in this summer internship with Conagra. During the program, participants will work on a continuous improvement (CI) project at their assigned facility. Applicants should have least one semester remaining in their studies.
View the internship listing.
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA)
Plant Operations Intern
Various US Locations
Students who take part in DFA’s plant operations internship will be able to assist in process control and process improvement, CIP validations, worker training, dryer optimization, and a range of other operational activities. Applicants should be enrolled in an engineering degree program.
View the internship listings.
Danone
Manufacturing Intern
Various US Locations
Support the operations of a Danone production facility in this summer internship position. Students will take on a small engineering, quality assurance, maintenance, or EHS project during the term to develop solid industry experience.
Click here and here to view the internship listings.
Ferrara
R&D Internship – Process Engineering
Bellwood, IL
Spend 10 weeks learning about process improvements, process knowledge capture and transfer, and gummy panning and process conditions, and help the investigate aerated products to identify innovation opportunities at the Ferrara facility in Bellwood, IL. Applicants should be scheduled to graduate next spring.
View the internship listing.
Quality Internship
Chicago, IL
Validate new equipment cleaning processes, map foreign materials for identification and root cause analysis, and verify the effectiveness of safety tools in this role with candy maker Ferrera. Juniors or above are encouraged to apply.
View the internship listing.
General Mills
Cereal maker General Mills has several internships open to engineering students in summer 2022. Representative image.
Food Safety & Quality Associate Intern
Hannibal, MO
Students pursuing a degree in engineering are encouraged to apply for this role at the General Mills location in Hannibal, MO. During the 10-week summer program, participants will help to build the plant’s safety culture, manage issues with non-conforming product, and more.
View the internship listing.
Research & Development Packaging Internship
Minneapolis, MN
This 10-week role at General Mills in Minneapolis allows engineering students to work with a variety of company stakeholders in developing new packaging, reducing packaging waste, and improving existing packaging. Participants will also interact with customers and consumers to gain insights that can be applied to new concepts and products.
View the internship listing.
Great Lakes Cheese Co.
Continuous Improvement Intern
Hiram, OH or Manchester, TN
Working from May to August, continuous improvement interns will support operations at one of two Great Lakes Cheese plants in the US. Participants will learn about various aspects of dairy product manufacturing and take on a range of challenges. Applicants should be juniors or above with backgrounds in engineering fields.
Click here and here to view the internship listings.
Hershey Co.
Workers perform a quality control check on Hershey’s Kisses at a Hershey Co. plant in Pennsylvania. Representative image.
Operations Excellence Intern
Hazleton, PA
Take part in continuous improvement projects in this role with iconic chocolate and snacks maker Hershey Co. Duties may include process standardization, rapid change over implementation, identifying project opportunities, and other CI activities. Sophomores or above in engineering programs should apply.
View the internship listing.
Packaging Systems Engineering Intern
Various US Locations
From installing and commissioning new packaging equipment to troubleshooting and optimizing packaging processes, this internship with Hershey Co. offers engineers a great opportunity to gain hands on experience. Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate engineering program to apply.
View the internship listing.
Hormel Foods Corp.
Several engineering internships are available with SPAM maker Hormel Foods this summer. Representative image.
Industrial Engineering Intern
Various US Locations
Working out of one of three Hormel Foods production facilities, industrial engineering interns will spend the summer analyzing operations, carrying out ergonomic job surveys, evaluating and installing new equipment, and more. Students who apply must be scheduled to graduate in December 2022, May 2023, or August 2023 with an engineering degree.
View internship listing.
Plant Engineering Intern
Various US Locations
Students who are accepted as plant engineering interns with Hormel will learn about DataStream 7i software, update information plant water and industrial sewer systems, provide recommendations on improving air balance in the plant, and take on other duties. Those in engineering programs who are slated to graduate after December 2022 are encouraged to apply.
View the internship listing.
J.M. Smucker Co.
A sign outside of the headquarters of the The J.M. Smucker Co. in Orrville, OH on Aug. 10, 2019. Representative image.
Operations Intern
Oxnard, CA
Tackle engineering and processing production issues, implement lean manufacturing techniques, analyze and plan workflows, and more in J.M. Smuckers’ operations internship this summer. Interns will work from early April through the end of August at the firm’s Oxnard, CA production location. Engineering students enrolled in a four-year degree program, or who recently graduated, are preferred for the role.
View the internship listing.
Kellogg Co.
The Kellogg Co. Porter Street plant in Battle Creek, MI. REUTERS/Emily Elconin. Representative image.
Global Engineering Internship: Power, Controls, and Information Systems
Battle Creek, MI
In this three-month summer position, interns will assist in the development of detailed flow, piping and instrumentation, or electrical diagrams for production lines and equipment at a Kellogg’s facility in Battle Creek, MI., as well as analyzing equipment data and production line efficiency. Students may also assist in the creation of equipment design modifications to boost the site’s capabilities. Engineering students who are sophomores or above are encouraged to apply.
View the internship listing.
Lindt & Sprüngli USA
Industrial Performance Engineering Intern
Stratham, NH
Students interested in chocolate manufacturing have an opportunity to build professional experience this summer as an industrial performance engineer intern at Lindt & Sprüngli’s facility in Stratham, NH. Those accepted will participate in continuous improvement projects and help keep the plant’s lines running efficiently.
View the internship listing.
McCormick & Co.
Supply Chain Internship
Various US Locations
Help spices and seasonings supplier McCormick & Co. overcome supply chain issues in this 10-week program. Working at one of the company’s distribution centers, interns will gain experience in safety, quality, reliability, and other areas of supply chain operations.
Click here and here (and here and here) to view the internship listings.
Mondelez International
Manufacturing Engineering Intern
East Hanover, NJ
Get an introduction to the world of snacks and confections in this manufacturing engineering internship with Mondelez. Based at the firm’s East Hanover, NJ facility, students take on practical, value-added projects that enable interns to use technical knowledge to drive real world results.
View the internship listing.
PepsiCo
A PepsiCo facility in the United States. Representative image.
R&D Engineer Intern
Various US Locations
R&D engineer interns at PepsiCo participate in designing, executing, and launching products with the company’s R&D technical experts and other business unit leaders. Participants contribute technical expertise and insights from development through launch. Current or recent engineering students are encountered to apply.
View the internship listing.
Perdue AgriBusiness
Engineering Intern
Salisbury, MD
Perdue AgriBusiness has an internship at its Salisbury, MD location that enables engineers to develop experience in project planning and implementation, project management, regulatory compliance, and other areas. Candidates must be sophomores or above in engineering programs.
View the internship listing.
Maintenance Reliability Intern
Salisbury, MD
This internship with Perdue AgriBusiness provides hands on experience in asset based preventative maintenance, using precision maintenance technology, and planning and executing manufacturing plant shutdowns. Students will also work with computerized maintenance management systems during the program. Engineering students who have completed their second year are ideal for the position.
View the internship listing.
Post Holdings
Post Holdings is offering several internships for engineering students this summer. Representative image.
Engineering Intern
Battle Creek, MI
The engineering department at Post’s Battle Creek, MI cereal production plant seeks an engineering intern for the summer to assist in projects and operations. The internship is ideal for budding engineers in undergraduate or graduate programs.
View the internship listing.
R&D Intern
Lima, OH
Help develop new products and optimize processes for Post’s Bob Evans brand in this summer internship at the company’s Lima, OH location. Juniors or seniors earning a degree in chemical engineering, food engineering, food science, and related fields are encouraged to apply. The position runs from May 31 to August 5.
View the internship listing.
Operations Intern
Lima, OH or Gaylord, MN
Participants in this program will be assigned to the engineering team at Post’s Bob Evans plant in Lima, OH or the Michael Foods plant in Gaylord, MN from late May to early August. Students take part in capital projects, process and equipment capability analysis, engineering design and standards development, and other activities. Positions are open to engineering students.
Click here and here to view internship listings.
Continuous Improvement Intern
Various US Locations
This position allows students to work with continuous improvement (CI) engineers at Post Consumer Brands or Michael Foods manufacturing plant. Interns will help to increase the productivity of processes, analyze process capabilities, trouble shoot equipment or process issues and more. Students pursing a four-year degree in engineering or similar fields should apply.
Click here and here (and here) to view the internship listings.
Prinova USA
Engineering Maintenance Summer Intern
Carol Stream, IL
Functional ingredients manufacturer Prinova USA is seeking an engineering maintenance summer intern to take part in small and large CapEx projects, assist the location’s maintenance and CI teams with efforts to improve production quality and throughput, and help the quality and production teams. Applicants must have completed at least two years of an engineering program to apply.
View the internship listing.
Rich Products Corp.
R&D Intern – Desserts
Buffalo, NY
Help support Rich Products’ Desserts business in this research and development (R&D) summer internship. Running from early June through the end of August, students will work at the firm’s Buffalo, NY location on food product prototype development, analyzing data, and conducting experiments. Ideal applicants are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate chemical engineering or food engineering program or a related field.
View the internship listing.
Seneca Foods
Manufacturing Intern
Montgomery, MN or Glencoe, MN
Packaged fruits and vegetables supplier Seneca Foods is offering manufacturing internships at its Montgomery, MN production and distribution facility and its Glencoe, MN plant to candidates who are current or recent undergraduate or graduate students. Applicants holding or earning engineering degrees are ideal for the position.
Click here and here to view the internship listings.
Schwan’s Co.
Manufacturing Intern
Deer Park, TX or Sitwell, OK
Students who take part in this 12-week program at a Schwan’s production facility in Texas or Oklahoma will help to support production and packaging lines, take part in projects to boost the plant’s efficiency, analyze process data, and assist in the development of improvement practices. Engineering students who are slated to graduate between December 2022 and May 2023 should apply.
Click here and here to view the internship listings.
Take Your Career to the Next Step
Beyond internships and co-op programs, it is important for engineering students to stay on top of the latest trends and technical developments in industry. Check back with Powder & Bulk Solids for information on new equipment, case studies, and the latest news.