Last updated: October 2026
MacLean-Fogg's summer 2027 internships are open now. The Mundelein, Illinois manufacturer had 29 intern postings live on its own careers site on October 26, 2026, across 13 plants and offices in eight states, posted between September 17 and October 15. Pay is a flat rate printed in each posting: $28 an hour for Engineering, Quality and IT, and $26 for the rest. The program runs 10 weeks from May 25, 2027, and 15 postings add a one-time $3,000 taxable housing allowance. In plain words: you apply during 2026, you intern in summer 2027, and no posting states a deadline.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | careers.macleanfogg.com, search "Intern". Each posting is one plant or office, and one application covers all assignments at that site. The old Dayforce portal used last cycle is closed. Graduates look at the Manufacturing Management Program, which isn't an internship |
| Application window (2027–28) | Open now for summer 2027. 10 Engineering postings went up September 17, 2026, then 1 on September 22, 12 on September 28 and 29, 5 on October 5 and 7, and the newest on October 15. Summer 2028: expected from mid-September 2027, medium confidence (last cycle's first batch was September 18, 2025) |
| Rolling? | No closing date in any posting, and none says it fills first come, first served. Postings were staged over 28 days, so treat it as rolling and apply early |
| Eligibility | A bachelor's or master's student in the relevant field. "Students at all college class levels are welcome to apply," and previous internship experience isn't required. A 3.0 GPA is listed as helpful, not required. The 12 Engineering postings require authorization to work in the US without employer sponsorship now or in the future; the other 17 don't say |
| Duration | 10 weeks, full time and on site, starting Tuesday, May 25, 2027, with limited flexibility for academic calendars. The postings say it may extend up to 2 more weeks based on business needs and your availability |
| Compensation | Flat hourly rate from the postings: $28.00 for Engineering, Quality and IT (18 postings) and $26.00 for EHS, Supply Chain, Finance, HR and Sales (11). 15 postings add a one-time $3,000 taxable housing allowance if your summer residence is more than 50 miles from the worksite and you have no company housing. Last cycle's Finance internship was posted at $18 to $25 an hour |
| Return offers | Not published as a rate. The postings promise a clearer view of career paths, not an offer. The graduate-only Manufacturing Management Program is a separate two-year leadership development program |
| Locations | 13 sites in 8 states: Mundelein, Sterling and Savanna (IL); Farmington Hills, Chesterfield and Plymouth (MI); Whitewater and Menomonee Falls (WI); Wickliffe (OH); Pierceton (IN); Saegertown (PA); Mooresville (NC); Buffalo (NY). Work is on site, with protective equipment in plant areas |
| # Programs | 29 postings in 8 functions: Engineering 12, Quality 4, EHS 3, Supply Chain 3, Finance 2, HR 2, IT 2, Sales 1. Plant "Trainee" jobs are hourly production roles, not internships |
The row that matters most: all 29 postings are open today at a fixed $26 or $28 an hour, every class level can apply, and each posting is for one specific plant or office.
Externships are short, remote programs where you finish a real project for a real company, most often in 8 weeks at 5 to 10 hours a week. The Amazon Fulfillment Center Operational Strategy & People Analytics Externship matches the supply chain and operations postings, and the SQL & Database Architecture Externship with Breaking Games builds the data analysis every posting asks for. Explore all Externships.
What Is a MacLean-Fogg Internship?
A MacLean-Fogg internship is a paid, 10-week summer placement at one of the company's plants or offices. MacLean-Fogg describes itself as a fourth-generation, family-owned American manufacturer headquartered in Mundelein, Illinois, founded in 1925, that makes engineered components for automotive and industrial markets. Each intern owns a project with a defined deliverable and presents findings and recommendations to facility leadership at the end. Engineering is the biggest track, with Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, Finance, HR, IT and Sales also hiring. The graduate-only Manufacturing Management Program and the hourly plant Trainee jobs are separate. MacLean-Fogg doesn't publish a class size or a conversion rate.
When Do MacLean-Fogg Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?
MacLean-Fogg staged its summer 2027 postings over 28 days. Ten Engineering postings went up on September 17, 2026, HR in Savanna on September 22, then twelve Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, Finance, IT and Sales postings on September 28 and 29, four on October 5, one on October 7 and the newest, Quality in Whitewater, on October 15. The program starts May 25, 2027, so the lead time is about 8 months from the first postings. Last cycle's first batch was posted September 18, 2025 on MacLean-Fogg's former Dayforce site, one day later than this year's, so the summer 2028 window is a projection from two cycles: expect postings from mid-September 2027, with medium confidence.
Applications are open. All 29 summer 2027 internship postings were live on October 26, 2026, across 13 plants and offices. Engineering is the largest group at 12.
Apply this week. No posting states a deadline and none says it closes when filled, but each is one opening at one site, and a plant can stop considering once it has its intern. Pick the plant you can relocate to, and note the housing allowance if it's more than 50 miles from home.
After you apply: Criteria assessments, a review of your application and assessment, a recruiter screen, then a 45-minute interview with the hiring team. A conditional offer is followed by pre-employment screening, which includes a drug screen. MacLean-Fogg publishes no timing between steps.
Ten weeks full time on site, with limited start-date flexibility for academic calendars, and up to two more weeks if the business needs it and you're available. You present your project to facility leadership at the end.
Summer 2028 postings expected, if the pattern of September 18, 2025 and September 17, 2026 repeats. Medium confidence, from two cycles.
How to read this page: our dates come from tracking previous recruiting cycles and daily posting data. Treat them as informed estimates based on historical patterns, not confirmed dates. The company's official careers page is always the most current source. If a role is posted there, go by that, even if this page suggests the window hasn't opened yet.
Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open
MacLean-Fogg's postings are rolling and site-specific, and that favors early applicants. No posting states a deadline, but each one is a single opening at a single plant, and the company staged 28 of 29 postings in the first three weeks, so nearly all of them have been open for a month. The hiring process has several steps, including assessments and a 45-minute interview, so a late application leaves less room before May. MacLean-Fogg also doesn't say postings fill first come, first served, so we can't promise early closing. Apply to your plant now, and put your areas of interest in the application, because that's how interns are matched to projects.
Which MacLean-Fogg Internship Programs Should You Target?
Every function posts under one common design, so the table shows the differences by function. Each posting is for one site.
| Program | Focus | Duration | Key details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Intern (12 postings) | Manufacturing and process engineering, quality engineering, continuous improvement and lean, automation and controls, product and design engineering, materials and metallurgy; areas vary by plant | 10 weeks from May 25, 2027 | $28/hr; engineering or engineering technology; requires US work authorization without sponsorship |
| Quality Intern (4 postings) | Defect trends, recurring issues, inspection methods and making quality information easier to use | 10 weeks from May 25, 2027 | $28/hr; Farmington Hills, Sterling, Buffalo, Whitewater |
| EHS Intern (3 postings) | Hazard reporting, safety and environmental data, ergonomic improvements, training and work instructions | 10 weeks from May 25, 2027 | $26/hr; Chesterfield, Farmington Hills, Savanna |
| Supply Chain Intern (3 postings) | Purchasing and supplier management, inventory discrepancies, supplier delivery trends and planning reports | 10 weeks from May 25, 2027 | $26/hr; Mundelein, Plymouth, Chesterfield |
| Finance Intern (2 postings) | Accounting and financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, cost and manufacturing finance | 10 weeks from May 25, 2027 | $26/hr; accounting, finance, economics, business analytics or a related major; Mundelein, Menomonee Falls |
| IT, HR and Sales Interns (5 postings) | IT support and automation (Mundelein, Sterling), recruiting and onboarding (Savanna, Menomonee Falls), customer and market research (Farmington Hills) | 10 weeks from May 25, 2027 | $28/hr for IT, $26/hr for HR and Sales |
Browse all postings on careers.macleanfogg.com. The board also shows job-function filters for Continuous Improvement and Maintenance interns, but no posting sat behind them on October 26.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
These come from the 29 postings, which share one design. We read them on October 26, 2026.
• Degree: currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in the posting's field: engineering or engineering technology for Engineering; accounting, finance, economics, business analytics or a related field for Finance.
• Class year: "Students at all college class levels are welcome to apply." Previous internship experience isn't required.
• GPA: a cumulative 3.0 or higher is listed as helpful, not required.
• Availability: full time and on site for the full 10 weeks, with limited start-date flexibility for academic calendars.
• Work authorization: the 12 Engineering postings require authorization to work in the US without employer sponsorship now or in the future, and say MacLean-Fogg doesn't offer visa sponsorship for the position. The other 17 postings don't say.
• Screening: a pre-employment drug screen follows a conditional offer, and a criminal background check may be required depending on the role.
Is the 3.0 GPA a Hard Cutoff?
No. The postings list a 3.0 under helpful qualifications and say they weigh coursework, class projects, student organizations and paid or volunteer work too. Hands-on projects such as Formula SAE, robotics and makerspaces are named as helpful. The work authorization line in the Engineering postings is a requirement, not a preference, so check the posting if you'll need sponsorship.
What Skills Does MacLean-Fogg Look For, and How Do You Build Them?
Three themes run through the postings. Project ownership: every posting gives you a defined project, guidance from experienced team members and a final presentation of findings and recommendations to leadership. Data tools: Excel is named in all 29, Power BI in 14 and Minitab or statistics in 12, and the Engineering postings add CAD (SolidWorks, AutoCAD or Creo). Manufacturing methods: lean and continuous improvement, root cause analysis, quality methods and automation come up in the Engineering and Quality postings, along with a requirement to follow plant safety practices and wear protective equipment.
What MacLean-Fogg looks for in interns
Skills across 29 MacLean-Fogg intern & analyst job descriptions · live Summer 2027 intern postings, October 2026
Method: keyword count within the 29 Summer 2027 intern postings live on careers.macleanfogg.com on October 26, 2026. The postings share one design, so counts lean toward the 12 Engineering postings for the technical rows.
How Is Demand for Mechanical Engineering Interns Moving Right Now?
Mechanical engineering intern postings · Sep vs Aug 2026
vs 207 in August
For MacLean-Fogg applicants: MacLean-Fogg's careers site listed 111 open jobs on October 26, 2026, and 29 were Summer 2027 internships posted September 17 to October 15, so its wave is already live.
Daily US job-posting counts, Sep 1–30 vs Aug 1–31, 2026. Covers under half of US postings; shows direction, not market size. Pay = median of employer-published ranges only (87 postings in September, 36 in August).
Build These Skills Before You Apply
Each skill below maps to a remote Externship you can finish while the postings are open. The fit is partial, because no open Externship covers CAD or lean manufacturing.
| Skill (from real JDs) | JD evidence | Externship that builds it |
|---|---|---|
| Data analysis and databases | Engineering: collect and analyze production data; preferred Excel, Minitab, Power BI | SQL & Database Architecture with Breaking Games |
| Supply chain and operations | Supply Chain: investigate an inventory discrepancy, analyze supplier delivery trends | Amazon Fulfillment Center Operational Strategy & People Analytics |
| Finance and cost analysis | Finance: analyze product costs, support a budgeting process | Attronica Financial Planning & Analysis and Private Company Valuation |
| Automation and connected equipment | Engineering: support automated equipment, sensors, robotics or process controls | Hydroficient Advanced: IoT Cyber Defense |
No open Externship teaches CAD, lean methods or Minitab. Build those through coursework or a student design team, since the postings name Formula SAE, robotics and makerspaces.
What Is the MacLean-Fogg Application and Interview Process Like?
MacLean-Fogg lists the same hiring steps on its postings.
1. Apply. One application covers all assignments at a site. List the areas that interest you, and the team matches interests to projects.
2. Criteria assessments. MacLean-Fogg uses assessments, then reviews your application and results together.
3. Recruiter screen. A short conversation with a recruiter.
4. Interview. A 45-minute interview with the hiring team.
5. Conditional offer and screening. Pre-employment screening follows, including a drug screen.
MacLean-Fogg publishes no interview questions and no timing between steps.
What We Found on Reddit
Nothing we can use. Our search found no Reddit thread about a MacLean-Fogg internship, only unrelated finance and hockey posts. We'd rather show no quotes than borrow someone else's.
How Do You Stand Out for a Plant-Based Internship?
First, choose a site you'll actually work at for ten weeks, and say so in your application. A Mundelein engineering posting and a Farmington Hills quality posting are different openings. Second, bring hands-on proof. The postings name Formula SAE, robotics, design teams, makerspaces and labs, and Excel, Minitab, Power BI or CAD experience, so describe one project with a number attached. Third, list your areas of interest, because the team matches interns to projects based on them. MacLean-Fogg doesn't publish a class size, applicant count or conversion rate.
What Other Companies Should You Consider?
If you're comparing industrial manufacturers, these recruit from a similar pool:
- Illinois Tool Worksdiversified manufacturer based in Glenview, IllinoisGuide →
- Fastenalindustrial and construction supplies distributor, including fastenersGuide →
- Parker Hannifinmotion and control technologies manufacturerGuide →
- Eatonpower management companyGuide →
- Lincoln Electricwelding and cutting equipment manufacturerGuide →
Our engineering internships guide compares calendars across engineering and manufacturing employers.
FAQ
Can I still apply for a summer 2026 MacLean-Fogg internship?
No. Summer 2026 internships ran last summer and are over; the first of those postings went up on September 18, 2025 on MacLean-Fogg's former Dayforce site. The cycle open now is summer 2027: 29 postings were live on careers.macleanfogg.com on October 26, 2026, with a May 25, 2027 start.
When do MacLean-Fogg internship applications open?
They're open now. The first Engineering postings went up on September 17, 2026, and the newest on October 15. Last cycle's first batch was September 18, 2025, so we expect summer 2028 postings from mid-September 2027, with medium confidence based on two cycles.
How much do MacLean-Fogg interns get paid?
The postings print flat rates: $28.00 an hour for Engineering, Quality and IT, and $26.00 for EHS, Supply Chain, Finance, HR and Sales. Last cycle's Finance internship was posted at $18 to $25 an hour. Fifteen postings also add a one-time $3,000 taxable housing allowance.
Is there a deadline for MacLean-Fogg internships?
No posting states one, and none says it closes when filled. The company staged its postings over 28 days, so treat it as rolling. Each posting is one opening at one site, so apply early, with your areas of interest listed, rather than waiting for a closer deadline.
Who can apply for a MacLean-Fogg internship?
Students pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in the posting's field. The postings say students at all college class levels are welcome and previous internship experience isn't required. A 3.0 GPA is helpful, not required, and you must be available full time and on site for 10 weeks.
Can international students apply for a MacLean-Fogg internship?
It depends on the posting. The 12 Engineering postings require authorization to work in the US without employer sponsorship now or in the future, and say MacLean-Fogg offers no visa sponsorship. The other 17 postings don't address it, so ask the recruiter before you apply.
Does MacLean-Fogg help with housing for interns?
Sometimes. Fifteen of the 29 postings offer a one-time $3,000 taxable housing allowance at approved locations. You qualify if your summer residence is more than 50 miles from the worksite, you need temporary housing, and you have no company-provided housing. It's paid after the internship begins.
Do MacLean-Fogg interns get full-time offers?
MacLean-Fogg doesn't publish a conversion rate. The postings promise a clearer view of career paths rather than a job offer. Its Manufacturing Management Program is a separate two-year leadership development program for college graduates, and no posting says interns move into it. Treat any percentage on third-party sites as unverified.
Pick the plant you can work at this summer and apply this week, with your areas of interest listed. While you wait, a remote Externship gives you a finished data or operations project to discuss in the interview.
About the Author
Bifei Wang has spent 17 years focused on human flow and the growth of young professionals, spanning international education, career training and coaching, and recruitment process outsourcing. Over 7 years at Extern, he has had one-on-one sessions with thousands of students exploring careers in consulting, finance, tech, marketing, and data, giving him a firsthand view of how the job market has shifted for early-career professionals and what it actually takes to break in.
