Continuous Improvement Engineering Internship/Co-op - Spring 2027 - Des Moines, IA

Are you a construction-minded professional with a passion for building and making a lasting impact in the industry? At EFCO, we don’t just build concrete structures, we build careers, partnerships, and opportunities. Established in 1934, we deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions that make construction safer and more efficient.

Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, EFCO is a growing, people-focused company committed to Quality, Integrity, Innovation, and Super Service. From engineering and design to manufacturing and field support, we help customers turn vision into reality while achieving the Lowest In-Place Concrete Cost (LIPCC).

Internship/Co-op Highlights

📍 100% onsite internship/co-op in Des Moines, IA
🎓 Spring 2027 through Summer 2027 internship/co-op
🏗️ Open to students pursuing Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, and related degrees
💰 Competitive pay

🤝 Mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities

🚀 Opportunity for future full-time employment consideration

Why this internship/co-op may be a great fit:

• Gain hands-on experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
• Apply Lean principles such as process mapping, root cause analysis, 5S, and waste reduction to real business challenges.
• Work directly with production teams to identify improvement opportunities and implement sustainable solutions.
• Collect and analyze manufacturing data to drive improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Participate in kaizen events and continuous improvement projects from observation through implementation.
• Develop technical, analytical, and project management skills that support long-term career growth.
• Gain exposure to manufacturing operations, engineering, and cross-functional business teams.

Don't meet every qualification listed? We still encourage you to apply! At EFCO, we're looking for motivated students who are eager to learn, solve problems, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.

If you enjoy analyzing processes, working with people, and finding ways to make operations safer, more efficient, and more effective, we'd love to hear from you!

Overview

The Continuous Improvement Engineering Internship/Co-op role will support manufacturing continuous improvement efforts that improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

This internship/co-op role will work directly with production and support teams to observe processes, analyze data, identify root causes, and help implement sustainable improvements using Lean methods. Additionally, this role will provide entry-level support for continuous improvement projects, kaizen events, standard work, and daily improvement activities.

Please note, this application is for our Continuous Improvement Engineering Internship/Co-op opening in Des Moines, IA, which is expected to run from Spring 2027 through Summer 2027.

Key Responsibilities

Safety & Shop-Floor Improvement (15%)

• Ensure safety requirements are followed during all continuous improvement activities.
• Observe work on the shop floor, identify potential hazards and process risks, and include safety in the evaluation and implementation of improvements.
• Report or correct unsafe equipment, acts, material revisions, and product deviations immediately.

Continuous Improvement Projects & Lean Implementation (40%)

• Support kaizen events and improvement projects from current-state observation through implementation and follow-up.
• Use Lean methods such as process mapping, waste identification, root cause analysis, 5S, visual management, and standard work.
• Assist with improvements to workflow, workstation and cell layout, material handling, and production flow.
• Work with cross-functional teams to test solutions, track actions, and help sustain completed improvements.

Data Analysis & Performance Improvement (25%)

• Collect, analyze, and interpret manufacturing data related to labor, downtime, quality, capacity, and material flow.
• Conduct time studies and process observations to identify bottlenecks and improvement opportunities.
• Create clear summaries, dashboards, and visual management tools to communicate findings, establish baselines, and verify improvement results.

Standard Work, Documentation, & Team Contribution (10%)

• Develop and update standard work instructions, process documentation, and other visual standards in collaboration with operators, supervisors, engineers, and support departments.
• Demonstrate EFCO Core Values by acting with integrity, executing quality processes, embracing innovation, and delivering superior service through collaboration and accountability.

Additional duties may be assigned to meet organizational goals and priorities. Duties and responsibilities, as required by business necessity, may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing, to meet organizational goals and priorities.

Qualifications

• Education: Must be pursuing a manufacturing-relevant four-year degree including, but not limited to: Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Industrial Technology.
• Experience: Internship, co-op, academic project, or hands-on manufacturing experience preferred.
• Leadership: Ability to work collaboratively with production team members, supervisors, engineers, and support departments and to follow through on assigned improvement actions.
• Computer Skills:
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint required.
  • Familiarity with Power BI, Visio, AutoCAD, or other data visualization and process-mapping tools preferred.
• Other Requirements:
  • Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical instructions.
  • High mechanical aptitude with the ability to complete moderate-level mathematical calculations.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
  • Must be comfortable spending significant time observing and working with teams in a factory shop floor environment.
  • Some travel may be required on occasion.

Core Competencies

• Technical Skills – Uses job-specific tools, systems, and procedures to collect information, analyze processes, and support improvements effectively.
• Analysis – Breaks down complex information to identify waste, patterns, relationships, bottlenecks, and root causes.
• Mathematics – Applies basic and advanced math skills accurately in job-related functions.
• Collaboration – Builds productive working relationships with shop floor and support teams and contributes constructively to shared improvement goals.
• Adaptability – Adjusts quickly and effectively to changing circumstances, priorities, and feedback.

Working Arrangement

• This internship/co-op opening will work 100% onsite at our Des Moines, IA headquarters.

EFCO Culture and Safety

Act with INTEGRITY by demonstrating honesty, responsibility, trustworthiness, and respect in all actions. Strive for QUALITY through continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making. Embrace INNOVATION by being self-aware, collaborative, and curious. Deliver SUPER SERVICE by creating value and consistently exceeding customer expectations.

At EFCO, the health and safety of our team members, visitors, and contractors is an overriding priority and EFCO is committed to promoting a safe and healthy work environment by requiring all team members to participate in environmental, safety, and health program activities.  This includes always wearing required personal protective equipment; participating in safety training; engaging in and supporting safety activities including reporting hazards, unsafe work practices & near misses, incidents involving property damage, and any/all injuries – no matter how minor – immediately to their supervisor or manager.

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EFCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

The company reserves the right to modify, update, change and/or make corrections to this job description, at the sole discretion of senior leadership, at any time during the employee’s employment term, at the sole discretion of management.

    Quality | Integrity | Innovation | Super Service