Operations Intern

Company Overview 

Polaris Inc. is a global leader in powersports and known to millions of people around the world as we offer a diverse portfolio of products and services including boats, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and more.  Polaris pioneers’ product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services, that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954.

At Polaris, we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are and help create incredible products and experiences that empower us to Think Outside.

Internship Program Overview 

The Polaris Operations Internship program is a 12-week paid internship program designed for emerging juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in a leading global powersports industry.

As an Operations Intern, you will be given impactful project-based assignments, so you will experience both larger ongoing projects as well as shorter-scale projects throughout the summer that align with our business objectives.Interns are placed into one specific team based on interest and business need. These teams could include, but are not limited to:  

• Manufacturing Engineering
• Direct or Indirect Sourcing
• Material Flow, & Logistics
• Manufacturing Quality, Supplier Quality, Supplier Development
• New Product Introduction
• Lean Manufacturing
• Project Management

Primary Placement Locations: Twin Cities, MN (Medina, MN; Plymouth, MN, Wyoming, MN); Huntsville, AL; Roseau, MN.

Other locations could include Battle Ground, WA; Fernley, NV; Wilmington, OH; or Vermillion, SD.

As a Polaris intern, it is important that you embrace the adventure and remain open to any placement opportunity. By being adaptable, you will gain diverse experiences and develop a broader skill set, which are essential for your professional development and success within Polaris.

Our internship program is crafted to build the foundational skills and experiences essential for your career success. Upon completing the internship, those who demonstrate exceptional performance and a strong passion for learning may be offered a returning internship or a position in our rotational leadership development program.

In addition to meaningful project work, you will participate in intentional programming and professional development offerings such as:  

• Mentorship: you are paired with one of our DP associates for mentor support throughout your 12-weeks. 

• Programming Hours: weekly functional and centralized learning sessions to broaden your knowledge base, both within and beyond your program.

• Networking: intentional time with peers and leaders at Polaris to build your professional network. 

• Intern Innovation Challenge: internal case study designed to promote cross functional development where you and your team will present creative and practical solutions to a real ‘Polaris’ problem to our executive leadership. 

• Early Talent Summit Week:participate in our 3-day event in our Wyoming, MN office. This immersive experience brings together all US interns and DPs for professional development, structured networking, a DP graduation event, inspiring executive speakers, and a thrilling team ride on some of your favorite Polaris vehicles.

• Community Engagement: opportunity to get involved in your local community. 

• Final Presentations: Present to our senior level leaders to showcase your career aspirations and recap your internship experience.

The Selection Process: 

Applications are open from August -November each year. Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted candidates will typically be contacted for an initial phone screen by the end of November. Candidates selected to move forward will be invited to participate in a virtual panel interview with an identified HR business partner and functional leader. Successful candidates would move forward to an offer. You will partner with the Early Talent team in January to complete a survey that provides a deeper look at your specific interests, strengths& career goals. All specific internship assignments are communicated in February, after aligning based on your specific interests and business demand. 

Intern Relocation Assistance: 

Polaris offers a relocation program for interns who qualify through our mobility vendor. To qualify for these services, your home address must be 35 miles or more from the office where you will be working. Benefits include a lump sum (grossed up to offset tax liability), access to a relocation counselor to explain the resources available to you and aid in securing short-term housing available to you. Your responsibilities will include daily transportation to and from the office.

Required Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s/master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management,or other related degree with an intended graduation date between August 2027 - May 2029.

• Minimum overall GPA of 3.0

• Must be able to commit to a full 12-week internship, working 40 hours per week, within one of the following date ranges:

• May 17th – August 6th, 2027. 

• May 31st – August 20th, 2027.

• Willing and able to relocate. 

• Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) and not require sponsorship for employment now or in the future.

• Must have reliable transportation for daily commuting to and from the office.

• Previous experience with Microsoft Office software tools (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and Word).

​Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous internship/co-op experience or involvement in relevant projects.

• Study abroad or international internship experience. 

• Coursework or experience in business strategy, finance, or operations.

• Demonstrated strengths in analysis, creative problem-solving, communication, interpersonal relationships, self-motivation, and leadership. 

• Exposure to data analytics tools or programming languages

• Participation in case competitions, business simulations, or entrepreneurial ventures.

This is more than an internship — it's the beginning of your ultimate adventure at Polaris! We hope you're ready for the ultimate adventure!

The starting pay range for Minnesota and Washington is $21.50 to $29.25 per hour, plus eligibility for overtime.  Individual pay and positioning within the range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography.  While individual pay could fall anywhere in the range based on these factors, it is not common to start at the high end or top of the range.