R&D Sustaining Engineering Intern - Plymouth, MN

March 13, 2026

Salary Range:$20.00 To $25.00 Hourly

Internship Period: June 1, 2026 - August 21, 2026

TURCK has a reputation for high quality sensors, distributed I/O, and connectivity solutions. Responding to the expanding needs of our customers, TURCK’s offering has grown to include identification, safety barriers, isolators, machine safety, industrial controls, and system solutions. We dedicate ourselves to finding the optimal engineered solution for every application, no matter the challenge. With manufacturing sites in Germany, Switzerland, the USA, Mexico, and China -- all using the most up to date processes -- TURCK makes sure that you get what you need, when you need it, wherever you may be.

At TURCK, we are a growing, global team. In addition to great perks and challenging work assignments, we invest in our people with enriching career growth opportunities. We believe in a friendly and collaborative environment with open lines of communication.

What You'll Do 

The R&D Sustaining Engineering Intern will support capability studies, process definition, and New Product Introduction (NPI) transition activities for key product lines, including VB2 and Military products. This role provides hands‑on engineering experience focused on reducing scrap and rework, improving process controls, supporting quality planning, and strengthening product reliability. The intern will collaborate closely with PLE/PST, Manufacturing, Product Management, and other R&D teams while gaining exposure across the product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Capability & Quality Improvement Support
• Conduct capability studies for VB2 and Military product lines, including data collection, analysis, and documentation.
• Support efforts to reduce scrap, rework, and defect rates for TMEX production products.
• Assist in developing predictive insights into defect trends and process weaknesses.
• Participate in process control and quality planning initiatives across assigned product families.
• NPI “Transition to Sustaining” Support
• Contribute to defining and documenting the Phase Gate Transfer process for product handoff from R&D to sustaining engineering.
• Support the evaluation and validation activities required for smooth transition of new products into long‑term sustaining ownership.

Process Definition & Documentation

• Assist PLE/PST in defining and standardizing critical department processes.
• Create or update process documentation, work instructions, and supporting materials to enhance operational clarity and consistency.

R&D and Sustaining Engineering Support

• Assist with active sustaining engineering tasks, including root‑cause analysis, component updates, and product maintenance activities.
• Provide support to other ongoing R&D projects as schedule allows.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with Manufacturing, PLE/PST, and Product Management to support process improvements and product lifecycle efforts.
• Participate in team discussions, problem‑solving sessions, and cross‑functional reviews.

What You'll Bring

Required:

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, especially with data‑driven evaluations.
• Familiarity with engineering documentation, process mapping, or quality tools.
• Ability to collaborate with cross‑functional teams in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong communication and organization skills.

Preferred:

• Experience with capability analysis, SPC, or quality engineering concepts.
• Exposure to CAD tools (SolidWorks, Creo, AutoCAD, etc.).
• Interest in product development, sustaining engineering, or manufacturing process optimization.

Internship Program Experience

• In addition to project-specific responsibilities, the intern will:
• Participate in a cross-functional intern cohort project.
• Present both their department-specific project and cohort project results to leadership.
• Attend development sessions and networking opportunities throughout the summer.

What You Will Gain

• Hands‑on experience in sustaining engineering, NPI transition, and capability studies.
• Practical understanding of product lifecycle engineering and R&D processes.
• Exposure to quality tools, data analysis, and process control methodologies.
• Experience working across teams including Manufacturing, Product Management, and R&D.

It is the policy of TURCK to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.