Intern, Quality Assurance

We are hiring a Quality Assurance Intern to join our team!

DISCOVER

Are you ready to learn by doing and contribute to projects that create measurable impact for our business and dealers? As a Project‑Based Intern at Watkins Wellness, you will partner with a mentor and cross‑functional teams to plan, build, and deliver real work. This full‑time Summer 2026 internship runs May 25 to August 21 in Vista, CA with on‑site or hybrid options. Most interns work on site 2 to 3 days per week with core hours 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and flexible start and end times. Start date is flexible between May 25 and June 24 to accommodate different academic calendars. Compensation is 25.00 per hour. You will support project milestones, develop practical skills, and present outcomes at the end of the program.

YOUR RIPPLE EFFECT

• Ready to jump into projects? Contribute to assigned initiatives from planning through execution. Track tasks, meet deadlines, and help keep deliverables on schedule.
• Can you turn research into insights? Conduct research, gather data, and analyze findings that inform decisions and next steps.
• Do you build with others? Collaborate with teammates to develop solutions, prepare presentations, and create project deliverables.
• Do you thrive in stand‑ups and reviews? Participate in project meetings, brainstorming sessions, and progress reviews.
• Are you a strong organizer? Document your work, maintain well‑organized files, and provide regular updates to your supervisor.
• Do you like to present? Own a scoped project and deliver a final readout with data, recommendations, and next steps the team can implement.
  

WHAT YOU BRING

• A current college Junior or Senior, or a recent graduate. The degree field may vary by team.
• Strong interest in hands‑on, project‑driven work.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic proficiency in tools relevant to the project area, such as Microsoft 365, data tools, design tools, or industry‑specific platforms.
• GPA 3.0 or higher preferred. We review the whole application, including projects, coursework, and experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Other duties may be assigned.)

• Assist in analyzing customer complaints, warranty claims, and returns to identify systemic issues and VOC trends.
• Support APQP activities including control plan development, PFMEA participation, and documentation of quality planning deliverables.

• Conduct audits and inspections at various stages of the manufacturing process to validate quality standards and identify improvement opportunities.

• Participate in yard audits and final product inspections to assess compliance with Critical to Quality (CTQ) characteristics.

• Help prepare quality alerts and contribute to corrective and preventive action (CAPA) efforts.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support quality improvement projects and data-driven decision-making.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

• Exposure to Lean Six Sigma principles and ISO 9001-based quality systems.

• Training in quality tools such as Gage R&R, SPC, and root cause analysis.

• Experience with ERP systems and digital quality dashboards.

• Mentorship from experienced Quality Engineers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Third- or fourth-year student pursuing a degree in Engineering, Quality, Industrial Technology, or a related field.

• Strong analytical and organizational skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and basic data analysis.

• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

• Passion for quality and continuous improvement.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Familiarity with Power BI and SharePoint.

• Experience in a manufacturing or production environment.

• Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma or ISO 9001 principles

WHAT YOU’LL GET

At Watkins Wellness, we believe that everyone should Feel good. Live well. You will gain practical experience on real projects, mentorship from experienced professionals, exposure to cross‑functional ways of working, and a portfolio‑ready project you can showcase to future employers. You will receive onboarding and training in our core tools and processes, join intern community events, and be considered for return internship or early‑career opportunities based on performance and business needs.

We look for candidates that exhibit The Watkins Way (always Ethical, endeavors to be Transparent, embraces Inclusion, welcomes Diverse backgrounds and perspectives, Accommodating, believes in Work-Life Balance, puts Safety First, Accountable, values Relationships, Passionate, Team Player, and Goal Driven).

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Hiring Range: $22.00 - 27.00

Many factors affect actual compensation including but not limited to experience, education, skills, and geographic location

Company: Watkins Wellness

Watkins (the “Company”) is an equal opportunity employer and we strive to employ the most qualified individuals for every position. The Company makes employment decisions only based on merit. It is the Company’s policy to prohibit discrimination in any employment opportunity (including but not limited to recruitment, employment, promotion, salary increases, benefits, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment) based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical/mental disability, medical condition, marital/domestic partner status, military and veteran status, height, weight or any other such characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. The Company is committed to complying with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all people involved in the operations of the Company regardless of where the employee is located and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of the Company.

Watkins is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States. Please click on the following links for more information.

E-Verify Participation Poster:English & Spanish
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