CI Intern

Continuous Improvement (CI) Intern
Tenneco – Blacksburg, Virginia
Position Summary
Tenneco is seeking a motivated Continuous Improvement (CI) Intern to support operational excellence initiatives within our manufacturing facility in Blacksburg, VA. This internship provides hands-on experience in process improvement, data analysis, lean manufacturing, and productivity enhancement projects. The successful candidate will work closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance teams to identify opportunities that improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
Key Responsibilities
•    Support Continuous Improvement projects focused on safety, quality, productivity, and waste reduction.
•    Collect, analyze, and interpret manufacturing and operational data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
•    Assist with time studies, process mapping, standardized work development, and workflow analysis.
•    Participate in Lean Manufacturing activities, including 5S, Kaizen events, visual management, and problem-solving initiatives.
•    Develop reports, dashboards, and presentations to communicate project results and recommendations.
•    Support root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
•    Collaborate with production teams to implement and sustain process improvements.
•    Assist in updating work instructions, process documentation, and operating procedures.
•    Participate in cross-functional meetings and project teams.
Qualifications
•    Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in: 
o    Industrial Engineering
o    Systems Engineering
o    Manufacturing Engineering
o    Operations Management or related field
•    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
•    Experience with data analysis, process improvement tools, or engineering coursework preferred.
•    Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Preferred Skills
•    Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles.
•    Experience with process mapping, value stream mapping, or statistical analysis.
•    Familiarity with Power BI, Minitab, AutoCAD, or similar analytical tools.
•    Interest in manufacturing operations and continuous improvement methodologies.
Learning Opportunities
The CI Intern will gain practical experience in:
•    Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies
•    Manufacturing operations and plant processes
•    Project management and cross-functional collaboration
•    Data-driven decision making
•    Industrial engineering applications in a production environment
Physical Requirements
•    Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
•    Ability to walk production areas and observe manufacturing processes.
•    Must comply with all safety and PPE requirements.
Duration: Semester 
Location: Tenneco Manufacturing Facility – Blacksburg, VA
Reports To: Plant Engineer / Continuous Improvement Manager (or designated Operations Leader)
Tenneco is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing future engineering talent through meaningful, hands-on manufacturing experience.