Plant/Maintenance Engineering Intern/Co-op

Posted on 8/27/2025

Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods

Compensation Overview

$27.50/hr

Rockford, IL, USA + 6 more

More locations: Northfield, MN, USA | Rochester, MN, USA | Allerton, IA, USA | South Haven, MN, USA | Little Falls, MN, USA | Dubuque, IA, USA

In Person

Plant/Maintenance Engineer Intern

To save time applying, Hormel Foods does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas for this position at this time.

ABOUT HORMEL FOODS — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters®, Skippy®SPAM®Hormel® Natural Choice®, Applegate®, Justin’s®, Wholly®, Hormel® Black Label®, Columbus®, Jennie-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Best Companies, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ — to bring some of the world’s most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com.

Job Purpose:  To gain real world experience by performing the duties of their full-time engineering counterparts, supervising maintenance personnel and directing the modification, improvement and installation of high-tech equipment in a manufacturing facility to maximize equipment and facility productivity at minimum cost

Responsibilities:

Will be involved in one or more of the following assignments:

  • Learn about Enterprise Asset Management software and assist with reliability improvements
  • Update engineering information on the plant water and industrial sewer systems
  • Learn about system design and make recommendations regarding improvements which could include involvement with water-saving and energy conservation projects
  • Update plant engineering information on the plant compressed air distribution system
  • Become familiar with the design of plant air handling equipment and make recommendations to improve air balance within certain areas of the plant
  • Supervise plant maintenance employees on a relief basis

Requirements:

  • Must graduate between December 2026 and May 2028 and major in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related engineering field with a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA preferred
  • Demonstrated leadership, persuasive, initiative, analytical, and communication skills are necessary for success in this position
  • Possess a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit
  • Must be a Citizen or National of the United States, a lawful, permanent resident, or have authorization to work in the United States
  • Applicants must not now, or any time in the future, require sponsorship for an employment visa
  • This position will require access to and/or the utilization of a personal motor vehicle to get to and from the workplace

Locations:

  • Position is based out of one of our production facilities including:
    • Austin ,MN
    • Dubuque, IA
    • Faribault, MN
    • Melrose, MN
    • Osceola, IA
    • Rochelle, IL
    • Willmar, MN

Timeframe: 

  • Internship is about 10 weeks, full time, approximately 40 hours per week, beginning late May to early August 

Compensation/Benefits:

  • Competitive wage: $27.50/hr
  • Paid housing allowance or provided housing (Austin, MN)
  • Reimbursement of all expenses incurred on the job
  • Company 401k match
  • Earn Paid Time Off (PTO)

Hormel Foods Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.