Industrial Engineering & Operational Excellence Intern
Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.
This internship is designed for undergraduate students pursuing Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline who are seeking hands-on exposure to Industrial Engineering and Operational Excellence in a manufacturing environment.
The intern will support improvement projects focused on productivity, capacity, labor optimization, material flow, standard work, and waste reduction, while gaining practical experience in data analysis, shopfloor observation, and cross-functional problem-solving within the medical device industry.
What will you be doing?
The intern will support Industrial Engineering initiatives by conducting studies such as time and motion analysis, work sampling, and line balancing to identify productivity improvement opportunities. They will also be responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing manufacturing data to support capacity planning, manpower optimization, utilization tracking, and performance reporting.
In addition, the intern will contribute to process improvement efforts by assisting in the development of standard work, process documentation, and visual management tools. They will support layout and material flow analysis, participate in Operational Excellence activities such as 5S and root cause analysis, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement improvement actions. The role also involves preparing project updates, summarizing findings, and presenting recommendations to stakeholders.
What will you need to be successful?
The ideal candidate is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, with a strong interest in manufacturing operations, process improvement, and data-driven decision-making. They should demonstrate good analytical capability, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and contribute to improvement initiatives.
Exposure to manufacturing or operations-related activities through academic projects, coursework, internships, or part-time work will be an added advantage. The role is based in Batu Kawan, Penang, and offers an opportunity to build practical experience within a structured manufacturing environment.
The candidate is expected to possess strong technical and interpersonal competencies, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (particularly Excel and PowerPoint), effective communication, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. In addition, they should demonstrate initiative, problem-solving skills, good time management, and the ability to organize and synthesize information into actionable insights while managing multiple tasks in a dynamic environment.
You.Unlimited. We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve.
Inclusion + Belonging - Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving. Learn more about our Employee Inclusion Groups on our website https://www.smith-nephew.com/
Work/Life Balance: Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off, Paid Holidays, Flex Holidays, Paid Community Service Day
Your Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account , Employee Assistance Program, Parental Leave, Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program
Flexibility: Hybrid Work Model (For most professional roles)
Training: Hands-On, Team-Customized, Mentorship
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Skills Required
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- Strong interest in manufacturing operations, process improvement, and data-driven decision-making
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
- Effective communication skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Initiative, problem-solving skills, time management, and ability to organize and synthesize information
- Exposure to manufacturing or operations-related activities through academic projects, coursework, internships, or part-time work
- Based in Batu Kawan, Penang (on-site)
Smith & Nephew Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Smith & Nephew and has not been reviewed or approved by Smith & Nephew.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision plans are paired with a global mental‑health program for employees and families, indicating a robust core health package.
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Retirement Support — U.S. employees have access to a 401(k) with company contributions, and share plans complement long‑term savings.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous holiday, paid volunteering leave, and flexible work models point to broad time‑off options.
Smith & Nephew Insights
What We Do
Smith+Nephew is a global medical technology company. We design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. We support healthcare professionals to return their patients to health and mobility, helping them to perform at their fullest potential. From our first employee and founder, T.J. Smith, to our team today, it’s our people who make Smith+Nephew a unique place. Yes, we love to innovate and develop exciting technologies, and we offer competitive salaries and progressive benefits. But it’s our culture - of Care, Collaboration and Courage - that really sets us apart. Through a spirit of ownership and can-do attitude, we work together to win.. We’re a company of people who care about each other, about our customers and their patients, and about our communities. Together, we fulfill our shared purpose of Life Unlimited. Please note: not all products referred to may be approved for use or available in all markets.
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