Intern - Industrial Automation (Ignition / Water Systems Integration)

Bachem’s Summer Internship Program

Bachem’s 10 week Summer Internship Program offers undergraduate and graduate students a hands-on introduction to the pharmaceutical industry at one of the world’s leading, innovation‑driven company specializing in the development and manufacture of peptide and oligonucleotide based active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and related products.

Designed to provide meaningful, real-world experience, this program allows interns to apply academic knowledge in a collaborative, research-focused environment while working alongside experienced industry professionals. Throughout the internship, participants will contribute to impactful projects, build technical and professional skills, and gain insight into Bachem’s scientific excellence, quality-driven culture, and global operations.

At Bachem, people are at the heart of innovation. The organization fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performance culture where employees and interns alike are encouraged to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact on global healthcare.

The program will run 10 weeks

• Session 1: May 26 - August 14 (California State University Track)
• Session 2: June 22 – September 11 (UC Track)

**All selected interns will be required to obtain their own housing, travel, and transportation accommodations for the full duration of the internship program.

If you’re ready to be part of a forward-thinking team and take your career to the next level, we can’t wait to welcome you to Bachem’s next internship for Summer 2026!

Internship Department Details:

Department Name: Engineering

What you will do

• What You'll Do

  • Field research and requirements gathering. Interview facilities and maintenance staff to determine what data they need, how often, and in what format. Walk the plant to understand the physical systems and instrumentation involved.
  • Design specification. Update the existing design specification to reflect the agreed scope, data points, report content, distribution list, and integration architecture.
  • Build the Ignition application. Configure tags, historian, and any required database tables. Build out Perspective views, reports, and the scheduled distribution mechanism. Integrate with existing network-connected water system instrumentation.
  • Test plan. Write a formal test plan covering functional, integration, and user-acceptance criteria. Execute it with the senior automation engineer and document results.
  • Handoff. Produce final documentation and give a wrap-up presentation to the engineering and facilities teams.

Qualifications – Education and Experience

No prior experience with any of the specific tools or systems is expected. Most interns come in having never touched SCADA, Ignition, or industrial instrumentation — that's fine. What matters is the willingness and ability to pick things up quickly and work independently between check-ins.

Any of the following would be a plus, but none are expected:

• • Pursuing a degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
  • Some programming experience in any language (Ignition scripting uses Jython, which is close to Python).
  • Coursework or exposure to SCADA, PLCs, HMIs, or industrial controls.
  • Familiarity with SQL or relational databases.
  • Any prior exposure to Inductive Automation Ignition (Perspective, Reporting module, Tag Historian).
  • Background in instrumentation, process control, or water/wastewater systems.
  • Comfort talking with facilities and maintenance staff to gather requirements.
  • Familiarity with Programmable Logical Controllers (Allen Bradley)
  • Minimum GPA 3.0 or higher
  • Able to start on either May 26th or June 22nd
  • Ability to complete the consecutive 10 week internship
  • Must have work authorization in the United States at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment.

Base Hourly Ranges:

• • Freshman rising Sophomore - $20/hour
  • Sophomore rising Junior - $21/hour
  • Junior rising Senior - $22/hour
  • Senior graduate or enrolled Fall 2026 - $23/hour

Corporate Social Responsibility

Bachem takes responsibility for future generations by a careful handling of resources and avoiding environmental risks. We continually improve our ecological performance and develop and implement new approaches for enhancing employees’ environmental awareness. EcoVadis has awarded Bachem Gold Medal status in their assessment of Bachem.

Bachem Americas is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate the diversity of our team and are committed to building an inclusive workplace where individuals are hired and advanced based on merit, skills, and qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

Please note: unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies will not be considered.