Engineering Intern - Yard

OnTrac is a logistics company seeking an Industrial Engineering Intern to support warehouse and hub operations. The intern will analyze trailer yard capacity, document processes, and identify opportunities for improvement in yard utilization and staffing.

Responsibilities:

• Observe and document inbound, outbound, and empty trailer movement throughout the yard
• Collect data on trailer arrivals, departures, dwell time, dock door utilization, staging locations, yard occupancy, and yard congestion
• Measure hostler activity, including trailer moves, drop/hook time, dock-to-yard moves, yard-to-dock moves, empty trailer repositioning, and trailer search time
• Support development of hostler staffing models based on trailer move volume, move time, peak activity windows, shift coverage, and service requirements
• Analyze required staging spots for inbound trailers, outbound trailers, empty trailers, loaded trailers, overflow trailers, and peak-season volume
• Support trailer yard capacity studies to determine practical and maximum yard capacity by facility
• Evaluate how trailer dwell time, dock door constraints, arrival patterns, departure schedules, and trailer mix affect yard space requirements
• Identify bottlenecks related to staging space, dock doors, hostler availability, yard layout, traffic flow, trailer dwell time, and trailer visibility
• Analyze inbound and outbound trailer turn times and identify opportunities to reduce congestion and improve yard flow
• Assist with AutoCAD drawings, yard layout updates, trailer staging maps, traffic flow diagrams, and yard capacity visuals
• Build Excel summaries, pivot tables, charts, and yard capacity models to communicate findings
• Support recommendations to improve yard utilization, trailer staging strategy, dock assignment, hostler staffing, trailer visibility, and overall facility throughput
• Prepare clear summaries of observations, data findings, yard constraints, staffing needs, staging requirements, and improvement opportunities for leadership

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university
• Pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, Transportation, Business Analytics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum GPA of 3.2 preferred
• Basic Excel skills, including formulas, tables, charts, and pivot tables
• Strong attention to detail and ability to collect accurate operational data
• Basic math and analytical thinking
• Ability to observe yard, dock, and trailer operations objectively and document findings clearly
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced warehouse, dock, and yard environment
• Ability to walk, stand, and observe operations for extended periods
• Willingness to work around trailers, docks, yard tractors, conveyors, and parcel handling equipment
• Willingness to travel to different facilities as needed