Mechatronics Automation Intern

Mechatronics / Automation Engineering Intern

Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry | Manitowoc, WI 

At Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside experienced engineers and manufacturing professionals on automation, controls, robotics, and process-improvement projects in a working foundry environment.

We're looking for a curious, hands-on engineering student who wants to take what they've learned in the classroom and apply it to equipment, automation, and manufacturing systems that are running on the plant floor.

What You'll Work On

As a Mechatronics / Automation Engineering Intern, you may have opportunities to contribute to projects such as:

Robotics & Cobot Automation

• Improve cobot utilization and automation efficiency.
• Explore opportunities to automate processes such as core handling, blow-off, and core dipping.
• Develop and improve FANUC robot/cobot programming.
• Learn how programming decisions translate into real-world cycle time, quality, and productivity improvements.

Manufacturing Process Improvement

• Support projects focused on improving gating yield and manufacturing efficiency.
• Analyze processes, identify opportunities, and help implement practical improvements.
• Work directly with manufacturing teams to understand problems and develop solutions.

PLC & HMI Controls

• Support smaller controls projects such as the Core Spinning Cell and Portland Leak Tester.
• Assist with PLC and HMI programming.
• Learn how sensors, components, controls, and equipment communicate with one another.
• Gain exposure to control cabinet construction and wiring diagrams.
• Help develop and document electrical and controls systems.

Machine Vision

• Assist with VS Series inspection camera programming.
• Apply machine vision technology to real-world inspection and quality applications.
• Learn how automated inspection systems are developed, programmed, and validated.

Controls Upgrade Planning

• Assist with planning and preparation for larger controls modernization projects.
• Gain exposure to projects involving aging equipment such as heat-treat ovens, drop-bottom ovens, and reclaimers.
• Learn what goes into researching, designing, documenting, and planning a controls upgrade before the first wire is touched.

Electrical Troubleshooting

• Assist with electrical troubleshooting as issues arise on the manufacturing floor.
• Learn to read and interpret wiring diagrams.
• Develop hands-on experience troubleshooting control cabinets, electrical components, sensors, and real manufacturing equipment.

What You'll Gain

This isn't an internship where you'll spend the summer making spreadsheets and observing from the sidelines.

You'll gain exposure to:

• FANUC robotics and cobot programming
• PLC and HMI programming
• Machine vision and automated inspection
• Electrical controls and wiring
• Control cabinet systems
• Industrial troubleshooting
• Manufacturing automation
• Process improvement
• Control system design and upgrade planning
• Real-world engineering problem solving

You'll also learn an important engineering lesson that can't be taught entirely in a classroom:

How do you take a manufacturing problem and turn it into a practical, reliable solution?

You may be a great fit if you are:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Curious about how machines, controls, robotics, and manufacturing systems work.
• Interested in hands-on engineering rather than purely theoretical work.
• Comfortable asking questions and learning from experienced engineers and technicians.
• A problem solver who enjoys figuring out why something isn't working.
• Detail-oriented and able to work safely in a manufacturing environment.
• Willing to get out on the plant floor and work directly with equipment.

We're not looking for someone who already knows everything. We're looking for someone who wants to figure things out.

Don’t just study automation, build it. Get hands-on with robotics, controls, PLCs, machine vision, and real manufacturing challenges at WAF. Apply today.