Manufacturing Strategy & Supplier Development Intern (Mechanical Engineering)

This is a remote position.

About Trustbridge

Trustbridge is building a smarter way to get manufacturing work done.

We help companies with complex, custom part requirements —across aerospace, medical devices, automotive, industrial hardware, and startups—connect with the right manufacturing partners globally. Instead of traditional reps or generic marketplaces, we combine engineering judgment, supplier relationships, and technology to deliver faster, better sourcing outcomes.

Trustbridge is incubated by Vulcury , a U.S.-based venture studio founded by a former Deloitte strategy consultant and the ex-CEO of 3Diligent. While our core operations are U.S.-based, India and Southeast Asia are critical growth markets , and this internship plays a key role in building that expansion.

About the Internship

This is not a typical classroom-style internship .

As a Manufacturing Strategy & Supplier Development Intern, you’ll work hands-on with real RFQs, technical drawings, and manufacturing suppliers . You’ll act as a bridge between customers, internal teams, and factories—helping ensure the right suppliers are matched to the right jobs.

If you enjoy understanding how parts are made , speaking with vendors about processes, tolerances, lead times, and pricing , and want exposure to how a manufacturing startup scales, this role is designed for you.

You’ll work closely with the CEO, Asia venture lead, and product team , and your work will directly impact live customer orders.

What You’ll Do

Manufacturing & Supplier Development

• Review customer RFQs, technical drawings, and BOMs

• Identify suitable suppliers based on manufacturing process, capability, and capacity

• Speak directly with manufacturers (CNC, sheet metal, fabrication, casting, molding, etc.)

• Assess supplier strengths, quality standards, lead times, and pricing logic

• Support onboarding and vetting of new manufacturing partners

Asia Market Execution

• Help execute Trustbridge’s manufacturing expansion strategy in India and Southeast Asia

• Map regional manufacturing capabilities and cost structures

• Build long-term supplier relationships through consistent communication

Product & Operations Input

• Identify real-world pain points in RFQ review, quoting, and supplier coordination

• Share structured feedback with product and design teams

• Assist with setting up operational tools (CRM entries, RFQ tracking, supplier databases)

Communication & Coordination

• Act as a coordination point between customers, suppliers, and internal teams

• Communicate clearly with global stakeholders via calls and email

• Support supplier outreach and partnership initiatives

What We Value

• Hands-on mindset — you’re comfortable getting into details

• Bias for action — you follow up, push conversations forward, and close loops

• Practical thinking — you balance engineering realities with business needs

• Curiosity about how manufacturing businesses actually work

Requirements

Required

• Mechanical Engineering background (graduate, final-year student, or recent graduate)

• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes (CNC machining, fabrication, casting, etc.)

• Comfortable reading and interpreting technical drawings

• Strong spoken and written English (supplier and internal calls are a key part of the role)

• Willingness to take ownership and execute without excessive supervision

Preferred / Bonus

• MBA student or recent MBA graduate

• Prior exposure to manufacturing, sourcing, supply chain, or B2B sales

• Experience interacting with vendors, factories, or machine shops

• Interest in startups, marketplaces, and cross-border manufacturing

Benefits

Why This Internship Matters

• Work on live customer RFQs , not simulations or case studies

• Learn directly from experienced founders and operators

• Gain exposure to global manufacturing sourcing and supplier strategy

• Play a role in building Trustbridge’s long-term Asia presence

• Strong performance may lead to a full-time or extended role