Project Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)

about our internship program:

The fairlife Summer Internship Program is designed to welcome interns across our locations to gain meaningful experience and social and professional development opportunities. For 11 weeks, interns will work in one of our four locations: Chicago, IL; Coopersville, MI; Goodyear, AZ; or Webster, NY. fairlife’s paid internship program also offers a summer full of social, professional, and community engagement events including exposure to our senior leadership and executives across the business in small group settings, insight into company initiatives, off-site field trips, and for those qualified and selected, an opportunity to pursue a full-time job opportunity.

The fairlife 2027 Summer Internship Program will take place from May 24 through August 10 at the fairlife location specified in this job description.

job purpose: The Project Engineering Intern will work closely with full-time team members at the Coopersville, MI plant to understand the roles and responsibilities of a production plant project engineering team. Throughout this internship, the Project Engineering Intern will learn how to lead, collaborate, and provide results for specific high-priority projects.

skills/qualifications required: 

• Must be currently enrolled in a four-year undergraduate degree program, entering the Fall semester, post internship, as a senior. 
• Preferred focus on Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering 

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0, or higher 

• Ability to work independently with guidance. 

• Ability to work with contractors at times and provide instruction to individuals.  

• Strong communication skills 
• Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment. 
• Proficiency in English: Comfortable with both written and verbal communication, including reading and writing. 

learning objectives:

• Learning the Engineering Team’s role and responsibilities for the facility.  

• The importance of working within a team and the role that they are providing.  

• How to lead a project and ability to report on results.  

• The complexity of manufacturing and the ability to create processes and standards.  

• Facility routines.

working conditions and physical requirements: 

• 8 hours sitting/standing/walking 

• Ability to lift up to 50lbs. 

• Exposure to hazards (machinery, confined spaces, etc.) 

food safety requirements: 

• Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety. 

• Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas. 

• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company. 

• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system. 

• Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system. 

• Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected. 

• In the event of absence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities as required. 

internship location: Coopersville, MI

schedule: On-site, Monday-Friday 

internship duration: May 24-August 10, 2027

reports to: Capital Projects Manager