Automation & Continuous Improvement Engineering Intern
As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.
As part of Marmon Holdings, a highly decentralized organization, this role will support early-stage automation scoping, continuous improvement, and operational readiness at TSE Brakes, including foundational work that may support future humanoid or advanced automation opportunities.
This position is intended for a well-rounded, hands-on engineering student who is comfortable working across mechanical systems, controls, electrical interfaces, automation concepts, vendor evaluation, business case development, and leadership communication. While humanoid automation is an exciting long-term possibility, implementation is expected to be multiple years away. The near-term focus will be learning the operation, documenting requirements, improving current processes, evaluating practical use cases, preparing the site for automation, and building the technical and business foundation for future decisions.
The role combines hands-on shop floor work, process observation, data analysis, vendor and technology research, business case support, and presentation development. Regular communication in German and English is expected to support collaboration with local operations teams, external vendors, universities, and international stakeholders.
We are seeking a motivated student for a long-term development opportunity at TSE Brakes in Germany. The ideal candidate is available to partner with us over multiple semesters or during the final two years of study through an internship, mandatory internship (Pflichtpraktikum), working-student arrangement, thesis project, or similar university-approved format, with potential interest in a full-time role after graduation.
JOB SUMMARY
The Automation & Continuous Improvement Engineering Intern / Working Student will partner with local site leadership, CI/Lean resources, engineering teams, and global automation stakeholders to scope practical process improvement and advanced automation opportunities, including future humanoid applications where appropriate.
The primary focus is to understand, stabilize, and document current processes before automation is considered. This includes identifying repetitive or ergonomically challenging tasks, defining technical requirements, supporting vendor discovery, evaluating readiness gaps, and translating findings into clear recommendations for future investment decisions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Learn the TSE Brakes operation by observing processes, interviewing operators and leaders, and documenting current-state workflows
- Identify potential advanced automation and future humanoid use cases, with attention to safety, ergonomics, repeatability, cycle time, quality, and labor availability
- Support process stabilization before automation through standard work, visual management, data collection, time studies, root cause analysis, and Lean improvement activities
- Develop early technical requirements for candidate applications, including task definition, workspace constraints, tooling needs, controls interfaces, safety considerations, and success criteria
- Research automation technologies, humanoid robotics where relevant, vendors, integrators, and technology partners; support vendor comparison and scoping discussions
- Assist with business case inputs such as baseline performance, estimated benefits, implementation risks, readiness gaps, cost drivers, and phased roadmap options
- Prepare clear project updates, decision materials, and leadership-ready presentations for site, regional, and executive stakeholders
- Coordinate action items, timelines, meeting notes, and follow-ups across local operations, engineering, CI, vendors, and global stakeholders
- Support hands-on troubleshooting and improvement of manufacturing processes and equipment where appropriate and under qualified supervision
- Contribute to a multi-year automation roadmap that could support future full-time placement after graduation
- Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
- German proficiency at C1/C2 level preferred with ability to communicate clearly with operators, site leadership, vendors, and university partners in German and English
- Ability to work effectively in both shop floor environments and office-based settings involving analysis, documentation, coordination, and presentations
- Strong curiosity across mechanical systems, electrical interfaces, controls, automation, process engineering, and business impact
- Comfortable gathering requirements, asking questions, documenting observations, and converting ambiguity into structured next steps
- Strong initiative, ownership, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities independently with guidance
- Ability to collaborate and influence across operations, engineering, leadership, vendors, and university partners without formal authority
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to prepare concise updates and leadership-ready presentations
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, SharePoint, and project/action tracking tools
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
- Minimum B2 level required
- Enrollment in a relevant engineering, automation, mechatronics, robotics, industrial engineering, or business-technical degree program
- Interest in a long-term engagement through internship, Pflichtpraktikum, working-student role, thesis project, or multi-semester partnership
- Hands-on coursework, project, internship, or student-team experience with robotics, automation, mechatronics, controls, manufacturing technology, or industrial equipment
- Exposure to PLCs, sensors, actuators, machine safety, industrial networks, robot systems, or simulation tools
- Familiarity with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Inventor, AutoCAD, or similar
- Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, Kaizen, time studies, standard work, or process documentation
- Interest in vendor research, request-for-information support, technology comparisons, cost-benefit analysis, and business case development
- Ability to translate technical findings into clear summaries for non-technical, site-level, and executive audiences
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Must be able to occasionally lift up to 50lbs at a time.
- Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms
- Occasionally stoop, kneel, bend, or twist
- Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear
- Travel will be required, and frequency will be based on key business needs
Additional Information:
This position may be structured as a long-term internship (Praktikum), mandatory internship (Pflichtpraktikum), working-student arrangement (Werkstudent), thesis project, or co-op equivalent, depending on university requirements, local employment practices, and candidate availability. Candidates should indicate their university requirements, preferred format, earliest start date, and expected availability over the next two academic years.
This role is designed as a development pathway for a high-potential student seeking broad exposure to automation, continuous improvement, manufacturing engineering, vendor engagement, business decision support, and long-term technology scoping in an international environment. The ideal candidate is motivated by sustained problem-solving and operational learning, not only by emerging technology trends.
Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.
The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by managers as deemed appropriate.
TSE Brakes is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, familiar status, sex, equal pay, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, transgender status, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.