Operations Intern- Summer 2026 - polaris : Job Details

At Polaris Inc., 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 we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to Think Outside.

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. Our Operations Internship Program is committed to providing an immersive, hands-on experience in operational excellence. We aim to equip interns with the skills and knowledge necessary to optimize processes, enhance supply chain efficiency, and drive continuous improvement. This includes knowledge and understanding of Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) goals and plant and/or distribution center operations. Through mentorship and real-world projects, we empower interns to contribute to our mission of delivering superior powersports products and services, ensuring operational effectiveness and innovation at every level.

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. Areas you could gain exposure to during your internship could include:

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

Internship locations could include Monticello, MN; Huntsville, AL; Roseau, MN; Spirit Lake, IA; Wyoming, MN; Plymouth, MN; Medina, MN; Fernley, NV; Battleground, WA; Wilmington, OH; 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 : you 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 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 2026 - May 2028.
• 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 18th August 7th, 2026. June 1st August 21st, 2026.
• 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.
• Demonstrated strengths in analysis, creative problem-solving, communication, interpersonal relationships, self-motivation, and leadership.
• Strong interest in long-term career development and participation in leadership development programs.
• Previous leadership experience in work, organizations, or classroom.
• Completion of at least two years of university coursework.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) or supply chain management software.
• Exposure to data analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) or programming languages like Python or SQL for operations analysis.
• Understanding of manufacturing automation, IoT, or smart factory technologies.
• Experience working in cross-functional or cross-cultural teams.
• Study abroad or international internship experience.
• Demonstrated change management or project leadership experience.
• Coursework or experience in business strategy, finance, or operations research.
• 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 is $21.00 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.

To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.

We are an ambitious, resourceful, and driven workforce, which empowers us to Think Outside. Apply today!

About Polaris

As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER, RZR and Polaris GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe.

EEO Statement

Polaris Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital