Intern, Production (Plant Engineering)

Here at Scout Motors, we're carrying forward the heritage of one of the most iconic American vehicles in history: a vehicle dating back to 1960 that forged the path for generations of rugged SUVs and trucks. But Scout is more than a brand; it’s a legacy rooted in exploration, caretaking, respect, and hard work. 

As an intern, you’ll join teams dedicated to honoring that legacy the right way: 

• Respect for the past and future by taking an iconic American brand that hasn’t been around for a while, electrifying it, digitizing it, and loading it with American innovation. 

• Respect for communities by creating a company that stands for its people and its customers. 

• Respect for work and play with vehicles that are equally at home at a camp site, a job site, or on a Tuesday commute. 

• Respect for customers by developing two powertrains that meet their requirements - an all-electric powertrain as well as the Harvester™ range extender powertrain which includes a built-in gas-powered generator with an estimated 500 miles of combined range. 

 

Scout Motors Internship Program 

We will provide aspiring professionals with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with our talented, inclusive, and entrepreneurial teams. Undergraduate Interns will immerse themselves in the rugged SUVs and trucks landscape, gaining exposure to the latest trends, technologies, and market dynamics. Interns will be assigned meaningful projects aligned with Scout’s goals. These projects will challenge interns to apply their academic knowledge in real-world scenarios, fostering problem-solving skills and creativity while working under the mentorship of our leaders. 

This program is designed for current undergraduate students who live in our local market. Please note that no housing stipend is provided.  

2026 Internship Program Overview 

• Schedule: The program is anticipated to run mid-May to mid-August 2026 
• Duration: Our internship program runs approximately 12 weeks, with the official end date varying dependent upon student needs and the start of respective Fall academic calendars 
• Transportation + Housing: our Interns will be responsible for providing their own housing and transportation 

Important Notes:  

• Scout Motors will not provide relocation or sponsorship as part of our Internship program 
• High preference for currently enrolled Bachelors degree students

Location & Travel Expectations:

• This role is on-site, and will be based out of our Scout Motors location in Columbia, SC 
• The responsibilities of this role require daily attendance at in-person meetings and events regularly. 

Housing & Sponsorship: 

• Scout Motors does not provide visa sponsorship or housing assistance for internship positions.

About the team

The Production team is responsible for building and stabilizing the manufacturing system that brings our vehicles from concept to series production. During ramp-up, the focus is on establishing robust processes, defining clear interfaces, and ensuring operational readiness across the entire production organization.

Operating in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment similar to the industrialization phase of companies like Scout Motors, the team works cross-functionally to translate product requirements into executable manufacturing processes. This includes aligning technical changes with operational impact, supporting prototype and pre-series builds, and preparing for stable series production.

As an intern, you will gain insight into how a production organization is built from the ground up and how structure, coordination, and operational execution come together during a critical growth phase.

Daily Responsibilities of the Internship Program include

Depending on your assignment and project focus, your responsibilities may include:

• Supporting the development and structuring of production-related documentation and standards
• Assisting in the design and coordination of structured enablement and knowledge-sharing concepts
• Supporting the implementation and tracking of performance indicators
• Contributing to the development of centralized tracking and reporting systems
• Assisting with process analysis and identification of efficiency improvements
• Supporting data collection, validation, and structured analysis to improve operational transparency
• Preparing dashboards, reports, and management-ready summaries
• Supporting coordination of operational flows and planning activities
• Assisting in demand validation and readiness verification activities
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives and digital optimization efforts
• Supporting cross-functional alignment and structured follow-up of open topics

This role provides exposure to both operational and strategic aspects of manufacturing, offering the opportunity to actively contribute to building scalable systems, improving transparency, and enabling efficient production ramp-up.

What you’ll bring 

As a Scout, you live our values through your actions every day: 

• Lead with Respect – You listen well, communicate with care, and treat everyone with dignity. 
• Move with Intent – You act with purpose, stay focused, and bring discipline to your work. 
• Figure It Out – You’re curious, resourceful, and resilient when facing challenges or ambiguity. 
• Go Together – You collaborate naturally, build strong relationships, and help the team succeed as one. 
• Step Up – You take initiative, embrace responsibility, and lean into opportunities to contribute. 
• Make It Matter – You take pride in the details, deliver quality, and aim for meaningful impact. 
• Enjoy It – You bring positivity, enthusiasm, and energy that makes the workday better for everyone. 

In addition to living our Scout values, you’ll also bring: 

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program for Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a similar field 
• Must be able to work from Columbia, SC from mid-May to mid-August 2026.
• Strong interest in electric vehicles, automotive engineering, and sustainable transportation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally and work in a fast-paced team environment.
• Detail-oriented with a proactive and results-driven mindset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and project management tools is preferred.

What you'll gain

• Get a head-start into your career with hands-on experience in the one of the fastest-growing industries- electric vehicles
• Work hand-in-hand with talented professionals, tackling innovative projects to help bring a best-in-class electric vehicle to market
• Make an impact on legacy product that will revolutionize the EV industry
• Improve your abilities and broaden your knowledge base in the automotive industry

Pay Transparency

This is a paid internship program.

Hourly pay rate = $23.00 per hour

Internal leveling code: i0