Student Employee
United States Steel
U. S. Steel Tubular Products manufactures seamless pipe and premium connections that support energy and industrial customers across the United States.The Summer 2027 Intern will support meaningful projects within the assigned department while gaining hands-on experience in a manufacturing and business environment. The intern will work with team members to analyze information, solve problems, and deliver a defined summer project.
Position Summary
The Summer 2027 Manufacturing Process Engineer Intern will support a cutting tool life optimization project for Finisher and Cut-Off machining operations. The intern will use a practical, data-driven approach to evaluate tooling performance, machining parameters, coolant delivery, tooling setup, material, and machine condition. The goal is to identify root causes and recommend improvements that reduce tooling cost and downtime while improving cycle-time consistency and sustainable production rate.
Responsibilities
Follow all facility safety requirements, complete required training, and use safe practices while observing, measuring, and supporting machining operations.
Collect and organize tool-life, downtime, cycle-time, material, coolant, setup, and machine-condition data for Finisher and Cut-Off operations.
Evaluate bore inserts, tap chasers, and PMC tooling to identify common wear, breakage, and performance patterns.
Compare operating conditions and machine conditions with established process requirements and original equipment specifications.
Apply root cause analysis and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis to identify and prioritize likely causes of tooling loss and process variation.
Support controlled comparisons or basic Design of Experiments to test leading improvement opportunities.
Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering to evaluate practical changes involving machining parameters, coolant delivery, tooling setup, and equipment condition.
Develop recommendations to reduce tool consumption, unplanned tool-change downtime, chip-related stoppages, and cycle-time variation.
Prepare a technical summary and final presentation documenting findings, business impact, and a repeatable method for future tooling evaluations.
Requirements
Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Process, or a closely related engineering field.
Strong analytical, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to collect data, compare operating conditions, and document findings clearly.
Ability to work collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.
Interest in machining, manufacturing processes, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement.
Ability to work onsite during Summer 2027 at the Pine Bluff, Arkansas facility.
Preferred Qualifications
Coursework or project experience involving manufacturing processes, machining, data analysis, metrology, reliability, or process improvement.
Interest in CNC machining, coolant systems, tooling performance, structured failure analysis, or basic Design of Experiments.
Self-motivated, curious, safety-focused, and comfortable working in a hands-on manufacturing environment.