Packaging Engineering Intern/ Co-op

Packaging Engineering Intern / Co‑op

(Internship / Co-op Opportunity)

Position Summary

The Packaging Engineering Intern/Co-op will support the development, qualification, and implementation of packaging solutions for pet food products at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. This role partners closely with cross-functional teams to deliver consumer-centric packaging that meets performance, quality, cost, and manufacturability requirements.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Support packaging project execution

• Assist packaging engineers in driving packaging projects to closure from concept through commercialization. Contribute to project documentation, timelines, and progress updates.
• Support LCA (Life cycle assessment) on packaging solutions and provide recommendations. 
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work with Product Development, Marketing, Design, Supply Chain, and other functional groups to identify and develop packaging technologies.
• Help ensure solutions meet key attributes such as cost targets, consumer usage/functionality, manufacturability, and compatibility of materials with product formulations.

Technical communication and reporting

• Prepare and present clear technical summaries, packaging concepts, test results, and business impact to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Develop written reports, slide presentations, and supporting documentation.

Packaging development, scale-up, and technology transfer

• Support packaging development through pilot and manufacturing scale-up.
• Partner with Quality, Product Development, and manufacturing site teams to: Ensure packaging equipment/material system specifications, functionality, and design are appropriate for intended use.
• Confirm that packaging maintains product integrity and visual appeal under various shipping, handling, and display conditions.

Testing, analysis, and recommendations

• Monitor and/or conduct package testing (e.g., stability, transit, drop, compression, sealing, etc.).
• Analyze test data and prepare reports including conclusions and recommendations for design or process changes.
• Case/cube information, cost estimates, and savings estimates

Laboratory and equipment understanding

• Develop a working knowledge of Packaging Laboratory test equipment and capabilities.
• Learn and apply standard operating procedures for equipment use and data collection.

Education & Qualifications

Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program in:

Packaging Engineering / Packaging Science

Materials Science

Or a closely related technical field

Minimum GPA: 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills

Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, team-oriented environment

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); familiarity with CAD or packaging-related software is a plus