Supplier Quality Engineering Intern
About Us:
We are more than just chainsaws, blowers, and trimmers. We have a long-standing tradition of hiring diverse, talented people who help make STIHL a successful, world-class brand. Since revolutionizing the forestry industry in Germany with the first electric chainsaw in 1926, the STIHL name has remained synonymous with outstanding innovation, high-quality products, and comprehensive services.
As part of our internship program, students will have the opportunity to:
- Gain hands-on, real-world experience within a leading industry, working on meaningful projects that contribute to day-to-day operations and long-term initiatives
- Volunteer to assist with company events such as the Family Picnic, Employee Summit, Manufacturing Technology Summer Camp, and other events as needed.
- Complete a final presentation outlining their internship experience, which may be presented to their direct supervisor and colleagues.
- Gain hands-on exposure to projects, team collaboration, and professional development opportunities designed to prepare them for future careers.
- Participate in learning sessions, networking opportunities, and community-building activities across the organization.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
Join us for an exciting summer! We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Supplier Quality Engineering team as an intern.
As a Supplier Quality Intern, you will gain hands-on experience supporting supplier quality activities, material disposition decisions, and quality system maintenance within a manufacturing environment. This role offers exposure to audits, structured problem-solving, and data-driven quality decisions while working closely with Supplier Quality Engineers (SQEs).
In this role, you will assist SQEs with evaluating parts and materials, reducing material holds, supporting supplier-related quality decisions, and maintaining quality system documentation to ensure audit readiness and compliance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support Supplier Quality Engineers (SQE) with material disposition, part evaluation, audits, and problem-solving activities while gaining hands-on experience with quality systems and data-driven decision making.
- Assist SQEs in reducing material holds and supporting supplier-related quality decisions.
- Help maintain and improve quality system documentation and audit readiness, (ISO certs)
- Assist SQEs with structured problem-solving activities related to quality issues.
Internship Goals:
- Gain hands-on exposure to root cause analysis tools such as 5 Whys and Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams.
- Participate in real quality investigations involving supplier and assembly-related issues.
- Understand the difference between symptoms, contributing factors, and true root causes and how containment actions support short-term risk mitigation.
- Gain practical experience using measurement systems (e.g., calipers, micrometers, basic inspection fixtures) to support part evaluation and disposition.
- Build competency in collecting, organizing, and analyzing quality-related data using spreadsheets and standard quality templates.
- Learn to summarize technical findings clearly and professionally for use in SQE decision-making.
- Develop awareness of how supplier quality, manufacturing, and quality assurance interact within a production environment.
- Improve cross-functional communication by working with SQEs, engineers, production teams, and materials personnel.
- Develop time management, prioritization, and follow-through skills in a real manufacturing setting.
Specifications:
Candidate Perferences
Academic Year: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
Area of Study: Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial, Systems, Electrical, Material Science, Polymer, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering
Software Experience: Microsoft 365, SAP, CAD, statistical analysis software, Power BI
Additional Information:
Work Hours: 7:30AM-4:00PM
Department: SQE
Compensation: $20/hr
Nearest Major Market: Virginia Beach