Engineering Internship

Job Description

About Cargill:

Cargill is a global company with a 154-year history and a team of 155,000 employees. They connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need. They utilize new technologies and insights to achieve this. Cargill emphasizes building a stronger, more sustainable future.

Job Description: Engineering Internship

Cargill offers engineering internships across various U.S. production facilities within diverse business units including: Agricultural Supply Chain North America (CASCNA), Cocoa and Chocolate North America (CCNA), Edible Oils North America (EONA), Cargill Bio Industrial (CBI), Protein and Salt (CPS), and Starches and Sweeteners and Texturizing Solutions (CSST).

Role: Interns gain experience in either Operations Leadership or Maintenance & Reliability Engineering roles. The internship is designed to provide exposure to both technical and management aspects of engineering, fostering long-term career aspirations.

Responsibilities (vary based on assignment):

• Production Management Engineers: Lead people, processes, and input/product in a plant environment. This includes direct supervision of operators, participation in daily production meetings, handling government regulations and compliance (environmental, health, safety, maintenance, housekeeping), team development (hiring, scheduling, motivation, employee relations), process optimization, equipment and process reliability, and potentially running capital projects.

• Environmental Engineers: Work with various teams and assets related to plant operations (refrigeration, steam, water, air systems). Responsibilities may include operating a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), managing environmental compliance and permitting, supervising operators and technicians, and overseeing daily work, maintenance, capital projects, and process improvements.

• Process/Project Engineers: Handle business case development, vendor selection, budget management, and project management for major projects and process improvements focusing on optimization, safety, quality, infrastructure, and energy use. Involvement with innovation processes, idea generation, reliability-centered design, and implementation of technical initiatives from global groups and R&D is also expected.

• Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Engage teams, improve processes, and utilize assets to minimize downtime and repair costs. This includes supervising specialized teams, leading planning activities (maintenance, capital projects, process improvement), and utilizing tools like Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and 5S/5-Why to prevent equipment failures.

Program Features:

• Duration: 12 weeks (typically Summer, May/June – August)
• Compensation: $25.00 – $34.70 per hour (based on graduation date and full-time eligibility). Overtime pay is available.
• Relocation: Requires geographic flexibility and willingness to relocate to various U.S. plant locations.
• Physical Demands: The role involves physical activity requiring moderate exertion (bending, stooping, lifting up to 50+ lbs occasionally, 10-25 lbs frequently), exposure to varying conditions (heat, cold, dust).
• Programming: Includes events focusing on leadership, development, and networking with other interns across the U.S. High-performing interns may be offered a second internship or full-time position.
• Benefits: Paid time off, mental health and wellbeing program, digital learning library, and potential housing/relocation assistance.
• Networking: The program provides opportunities to build relationships, acquire mentors, and establish professional contacts. Support is provided by university recruiting staff, mentors, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Community: Cargill fosters a diverse and inclusive culture with various Business Resource Groups (BRGs).

Required Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline (Chemical, Biochemical, Mechanical, Biosystems, Agricultural, Mining, Electrical, Industrial, Environmental, Packaging, etc.).
• Degree completion between December 2025 and May 2027.
• Right to work in the U.S. (not solely based on a student visa or third-party employer sponsorship).
• Geographic flexibility and willingness to relocate.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and cultures.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous plant, production, co-op, or internship experience.
• 2.7 GPA or higher.
• Ability to apply technical knowledge to job duties.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
• Leadership experience.
• Initiative and resourcefulness.