Professional Development Program (PDP) Internship – Mechanical Engineering Summer 2026

Job Description

About Company

BASF Corporation is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, USA. With approximately 16,000 employees in North America, BASF had sales of $19.7 billion in 2024. Globally, BASF Group has around 112,000 employees and operates in nearly all sectors and countries, aiming to be the preferred chemical company to enable customers’ green transformation. Its portfolio includes core businesses in Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care, with standalone businesses in Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions.

BASF is committed to creating an exceptional workplace that values diversity, employee well-being, and development. This dedication has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health (2024-25) from Mental Health America, the Business Group on Health’s Best Employers: Excellence in Health & Well-being award, and recognition by PLANSPONSOR for a 2025 Best In Class 401(k) Plan. It was ranked among the Top 50 Employers by Minority Engineer Magazine readers, 22nd on Fair360’s (formerly Diversity Inc) 2024 Top 50 Companies List, and named one of America’s Best Large Employers and World’s Best Employers by Forbes and Statista. For 11 consecutive years, BASF achieved a top score in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index, earning the 2025 “Equality 100 Award” for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.

BASF is an equal opportunity employer committed to pay transparency, with a competitive Pay Range for this role of $1,907 – $2,340 semi monthly. Actual pay will be determined based on education, certifications, experience, and other job-related factors.

Job Description: Professional Development Program (PDP) Internship – Mechanical Engineering Summer 2026

The Professional Development Program (PDP) Internship in Mechanical Engineering at BASF is a 10 to 12-week summer program designed for students to gain hands-on experience within dynamic Manufacturing and R&D teams. This internship offers the opportunity to work on impactful projects supporting BASF’s business objectives and to collaborate closely with seasoned professionals, gaining insights into mechanical engineering processes and strategies.

Key areas of skill development and exposure include:
• Manufacturing
• Operations and Technology
• Corporate Engineering
• Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
• Maintenance
• Research and Development (R&D)
• Construction

The program is designed to accelerate career growth by providing leadership opportunities and strategic insights critical for a successful future in mechanical engineering. Interns will be engaged in a dynamic environment where they will tackle diverse challenges, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and adapt to rapidly changing situations, offering opportunities to innovate and problem-solve in real-time.

Key Areas of Impact and Responsibilities include:
• Working closely with talented engineers and technicians to gain experience with the technical and scientific aspects of plant engineering.
• Learning leading manufacturing principles from mentors.
• Exposure to high impact initiatives such as plant turnaround support, capital project implementation, engineering process design, asset effectiveness and reliability, and technical network presentations.
• Working on continuous assessment and improvement of engineering and business processes to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and maximize productivity. This may involve implementing new technologies, redesigning and digitalizing workflows, or adopting lean methodologies.
• Engaging in real-world responsibilities and problem-solving through immersive experiences in engineering roles, such as organizing risk assessments, meeting daily production targets, designing equipment reliability concepts, or upgrading process equipment.

Internship Benefits and Professional Development:
• Professional Development: Exposure to mechanical engineering applications and digital tools such as PowerBI, Power Apps, and more. Interns will present their summer project to fellow interns, BASF employees, and senior leaders at the end of the internship.
• Mentorship: Each participant will be assigned a peer mentor, who is a full-time program participant, to guide them throughout the program, helping develop expertise and networking abilities at senior levels.
• Networking: Opportunities to participate in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) at their site, engage with alumni and executive leadership during a week-long orientation at the New Jersey headquarters, and collaborate with full-time program participants to organize a community service volunteer day in celebration of National Intern Day.

Required Qualifications:
• Currently a student majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
• Graduation date between December 2026 and July 2029.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without restrictions.
• Willingness to relocate anywhere in the country during and after the program, as all assignments are in-person or hybrid. Potential locations include Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, and Louisiana.
• Demonstrated previous leadership experience and academic achievement.
• Active participation in extracurricular activities and on-campus organizations.

Preferred Qualifications (a plus/beneficial):
• Previous internship/co-op experience.
• Familiarity with tools such as PowerBI, Power Apps, and advanced Excel proficiency.
• Strong interest in the manufacturing or chemical industry.
• Project management experience.

Interns will be assessed for a potential returning internship offer or a full-time position in BASF’s 2-year rotational program, emphasizing lifelong learning and career development.