Quality Intern

Position Summary

The Quality Intern will support the Quality Department at the Tenneco Blacksburg facility by assisting with quality assurance, product inspection, data analysis, corrective actions, documentation, and continuous improvement activities.

This internship provides hands-on experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment and exposure to automotive quality systems, manufacturing processes, customer requirements, and structured problem-solving. The intern will work closely with Quality, Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and EHS to support plant quality objectives.

The Blacksburg Quality organization supports product quality, customer expectations, internal requirements, continuous improvement, and compliance with automotive quality standards, including IATF 16949.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist Quality Engineers and Quality leadership with daily plant quality activities.
• Support inspections, audits, product verification, and quality checks throughout the manufacturing process.
• Assist with the collection, organization, analysis, and reporting of quality data.
• Monitor quality KPIs, including scrap, defects, rework, first-pass yield, customer complaints, and internal nonconformances.
• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action activities using methods such as 5 Why, Fishbone Analysis, and 8D.
• Support quality investigations involving manufacturing or product concerns.
• Assist with containment activities when nonconforming material or product is identified.
• Support the documentation, identification, and tracking of nonconforming material.
• Participate in plant quality audits and layered process audits as assigned.
• Assist in maintaining quality documentation, work instructions, procedures, inspection standards, and records.
• Support activities related to IATF 16949 quality management system requirements.
• Assist Quality Engineers with process capability, measurement, and manufacturing quality improvement projects.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives intended to reduce scrap, rework, defects, and customer concerns.
• Participate in Gemba walks and cross-functional problem-solving activities.
• Work with Operations and Engineering personnel to identify opportunities to improve process and product quality.
• Assist with preparing quality reports, presentations, charts, and data for plant leadership.
• Maintain the confidentiality of company, customer, employee, and quality information.
• Follow all Tenneco safety requirements and wear required personal protective equipment while on the manufacturing floor.
• Perform other quality-related projects and duties as assigned.

Learning and Development Opportunities

• Automotive manufacturing quality systems
• IATF 16949 requirements
• Root cause analysis and 8D problem-solving
• Corrective and preventive actions
• Manufacturing process controls
• Quality inspections and audits
• Nonconforming material management
• Quality KPI analysis
• Continuous improvement
• Cross-functional manufacturing operations
• Customer quality requirements
• Professional communication and presentation skills

Qualifications

Required

• Currently pursuing an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Quality Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business, or a related field.
• Strong interest in manufacturing, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collect, organize, and interpret data with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Preferred

• Previous internship, manufacturing, laboratory, or quality experience.
• Basic understanding of quality systems or manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, 8D, 5 Why, SPC, MSA, PFMEA, Control Plans, or APQP.
• Experience analyzing data using Microsoft Excel.
• Coursework related to statistics, quality engineering, manufacturing, or process improvement.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to work in both an office and manufacturing environment.
• Ability to walk and stand on the manufacturing floor for periods of time.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment.
• May be exposed to manufacturing equipment, machinery, noise, and varying temperatures.
• Must comply with all plant safety procedures and requirements.

Why Join Us

The Quality Internship provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment while working alongside experienced quality and manufacturing professionals. The intern will contribute to projects that directly impact product quality, customer satisfaction, scrap reduction, process performance, and continuous improvement while developing technical, analytical, and professional skills for a future career in manufacturing or quality engineering.