Operations and Lean Co-op

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Overview

Keller is a global leader in geotechnical construction and deep foundations, with more than 100 years of experience in North America and over 70 offices across the United States and Canada. By combining global resources with local expertise, Keller delivers innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions to complex geotechnical challenges.

Co-op Term: January through May 2027

Work Arrangement: Hybrid with periodic travel to Keller offices, maintenance shops, and project sites.

Job Summary

Keller is seeking a motivated and curious student interested in construction operations, continuous improvement, and practical problem-solving. The Operations and Lean Co-op will support improvement initiatives across construction operations, fleet maintenance, field activities, and functional teams.

Working with operations leaders and subject-matter experts, the student will gain hands-on experience observing processes, analyzing operational data, developing practical tools, and supporting safer, more reliable, and more efficient ways of working. The co-op will report to the North America Lean Manager.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with field crews, maintenance personnel, operations leaders, and support teams to understand operational needs and improvement opportunities.
• Observe and document processes across field operations, fleet maintenance shops, and support functions.
• Collect, organize, validate, and analyze operational data using Microsoft Excel and other reporting tools.
• Participate in root-cause analysis and structured problem-solving activities.
• Support projects designed to improve safety, quality, reliability, productivity, and operational consistency.
• Create process maps, standard work, checklists, job aids, and visual-management tools.
• Support 5S, workplace organization, and process-standardization initiatives.
• Assist with testing, implementing, communicating, and evaluating new processes and tools.
• Prepare project updates, presentations, and summaries for stakeholders.
• Help measure results and identify actions needed to sustain improvements.
• Follow all Keller, project-site, and OSHA safety requirements.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial, manufacturing, or civil engineering, construction management, operations management, or a related field
• Demonstrated curiosity, willingness to learn, and ability to adapt to new processes, systems, and responsibilities
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to take initiative and work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with general familiarity using Word, Teams, and SharePoint
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel periodically to Keller offices, shops, and project sites
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework or project experience involving Lean, 5S, Six Sigma, root-cause analysis, process mapping, standard work, or other continuous-improvement methods
• Exposure to construction, manufacturing, fleet, or maintenance operations
• Experience analyzing data and communicating findings through presentations, reports, or project summaries
• Experience participating in cross-functional student, internship, or workplace projects
• Familiarity with data-visualization or reporting tools, such as Power BI
• Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)

Additional Information

What You Will Learn

During the co-op, the student will develop experience in:

• Understanding how field operations, equipment maintenance, and support functions work together
• Applying Lean thinking in construction and maintenance environments
• Identifying operational needs and translating them into practical improvement opportunities
• Using data and structured problem-solving to support operational decisions
• Communicating findings and recommendations to technical and operational stakeholders
• Working effectively with cross-functional teams

Supporting change from initial observation through implementation and sustainment