Automation & Continuous Improvement Engineering Intern

The Automation & Continuous Improvement Engineering Intern / Working Student will partner with local site leadership, CI/Lean resources, engineering teams, and global automation stakeholders to scope practical process improvement and advanced automation opportunities, including future humanoid applications where appropriate. The primary focus is to understand, stabilize, and document current processes before automation is considered. This includes identifying repetitive or ergonomically challenging tasks, defining technical requirements, supporting vendor discovery, evaluating readiness gaps, and translating findings into clear recommendations for future investment decisions.

Responsibilities

Learn the TSE Brakes operation by observing processes, interviewing operators and leaders, and documenting current-state workflows; Identify potential advanced automation and future humanoid use cases, with attention to safety, ergonomics, repeatability, cycle time, quality, and labor availability; Support process stabilization before automation through standard work, visual management, data collection, time studies, root cause analysis, and Lean improvement activities; Develop early technical requirements for candidate applications, including task definition, workspace constraints, tooling needs, controls interfaces, safety considerations, and success criteria; Research automation technologies, humanoid robotics where relevant, vendors, integrators, and technology partners; Support vendor comparison and scoping discussions; Assist with business case inputs such as baseline performance, estimated benefits, implementation risks, readiness gaps, cost drivers, and phased roadmap options; Prepare clear project updates, decision materials, and leadership-ready presentations for site, regional, and executive stakeholders; Coordinate action items, timelines, meeting notes, and follow-ups across local operations, engineering, CI, vendors, and global stakeholders; Support hands-on troubleshooting and improvement of manufacturing processes and equipment where appropriate and under qualified supervision; Contribute to a multi-year automation roadmap that could support future full-time placement after graduation

Requirements

Regular communication in German and English is expected; Minimum B2 level required; Enrollment in a relevant engineering, automation, mechatronics, robotics, industrial engineering, or business-technical degree program; Interest in a long-term engagement through internship, Pflichtpraktikum, working-student role, thesis project, or multi-semester partnership; Hands-on coursework, project, internship, or student-team experience with robotics, automation, mechatronics, controls, manufacturing technology, or industrial equipment; Exposure to PLCs, sensors, actuators, machine safety, industrial networks, robot systems, or simulation tools; Familiarity with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Inventor, AutoCAD, or similar; Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, Kaizen, time studies, standard work, or process documentation; Interest in vendor research, request-for-information support, technology comparisons, cost-benefit analysis, and business case development; Ability to translate technical findings into clear summaries for non-technical, site-level, and executive audiences; Ability to work effectively in both shop floor environments and office-based settings involving analysis, documentation, coordination, and presentations; Strong curiosity across mechanical systems, electrical interfaces, controls, automation, process engineering, and business impact; Comfortable gathering requirements, asking questions, documenting observations, and converting ambiguity into structured next steps; Strong initiative, ownership, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities independently with guidance; Ability to collaborate and influence across operations, engineering, leadership, vendors, and university partners without formal authority; Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to prepare concise updates and leadership-ready presentations; Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, SharePoint, and project/action tracking tools; Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer; Must be able to occasionally lift up to 50lbs at a time; Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; Occasionally stoop, kneel, bend, or twist; Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear; Travel will be required, and frequency will be based on key business needs

Nice to have

German proficiency at C1/C2 level