Building Bright Futures: Meet Our 2026 Interns
Our 2026 interns have spent the summer exploring the world of manufacturing, embracing new experiences, asking great questions, and growing their skills every step of the way. Get to know the future of the industry below!
ALEX STURN
Design Engineer Intern
Hometown: Frederick, CO
School: South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Degree Pursuing: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite thing about interning at Steffes: “Learning and getting hands on experience with projects that will be used by customers. “
CATHERINE STRANGE
CATHERINE STRANGESafety Engineer Intern
Hometown: Shelby, NC
School: North Carolina State University
Degree Pursuing: Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Favorite thing about interning at Steffes: “My favorite part of interning at Steffes is the encouragement I receive from coworkers and management across locations. They are open to my ideas, support my independent projects, and give me the time and resources to build on them. I also value the chance to connect with and learn from EHS team members at different sites, which helps me continue growing professionally.”
CHAZ LEET
CHAZ LEETQuality Engineer Intern
Hometown: West Fargo, ND
School: University of North Dakota
Degree Pursuing: Aerospace Engineering
Favorite thing about interning at Steffes: “The best part of interning at Steffes is learning from the people that work here. I’m constantly learning something new, whether it’s on the production floor or in the quality lab. It’s a positive environment where learning and growth is encouraged.”
ELIJAH RABB
ELIJAH RABBManufacturing Engineer Intern
Hometown: Shelby, NC
School: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Degree Pursuing: Mechanical Engineering Technology
Favorite thing about interning at Steffes: “My favorite part about being an intern is being able to weld the projects that I have been able to assist with.”
IZAAK KUDRNA
IZAAK KUDRNADesign Engineer Intern
Hometown: Dickinson, ND
School: University of Mary
Degree Pursuing: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite thing about interning at Steffes: “The best part about working at Steffes and being an intern is being able to collaborate with different people on different projects and being able to get first-hand experience in the engineering industry. It is also encouraging knowing that through my internship I am developing technical, communication, and teamwork skills that will help me throughout my career.”
JACKSON DEESE
JACKSON DEESEManufacturing Engineer Co-op
Hometown: Monroe, NC
School: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Degree Pursuing: Mechanical Enginerring
Favorite thing about interning at Steffes: “The sheer number or skills available for me to pick up. I’ve mainly focused on learning to weld and recognize good welds, but I’ve also dabbled in G-code and machining, using the press break, plasma cutting, and a few others. Basically, anything related to the manufacturing process I’ve at least looked at.”
JACOB McMAHEN
JACOB McMAHENManufacturing Engineer Intern
Hometown: Dickinson, ND
School: North Dakota State University
Degree Pursuing: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite thing about interning at Steffes: “The best part about working at Steffes as an intern is getting to work with and learn from all the amazing people here.”
JOSIAH SIMNIONIW
JOSIAH SIMNIONIWManufacturing Engineer Intern
Hometown: Dickinson, ND
School: North Dakota State University
Degree Pursuing: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite thing about interning at Steffes: “Learning so many valuable things every day and the people I work with.”
SULAMITHE ISIMBI MINANI
Project Management Intern
Hometown: Bismarck, ND
School: Minnesota State University Moorhead
Degree Pursuing: Business Analytics and a minor in Economics
Favorite thing about interning at Steffes: “My favorite part of working at Steffes has been learning more about what goes into manufacturing companies and seeing how hard people work behind the scenes. Since this is my first experience in a manufacturing environment, it has given me a new appreciation for the effort, teamwork, and processes that help create the final product. “