Co-op Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

About the Company:

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is a Fortune 500 ideas and solutions company. They focus on corrugated packaging and white paper products, aiming to lead in packaging, transporting, and displaying products for customers. PCA emphasizes customer service, operational excellence, and environmental responsibility, with a “golden rule” culture promoting ethical practices and respect. They have approximately 15,000 team members across over 100 locations in the United States.

Job Description:

PCA is offering two Co-op Mechanical Engineer positions:

• Project Mechanical Engineering Co-op: Starting Summer 2025 (1 position available)
• Reliability Mechanical Engineering Co-op: Starting Fall 2026 (1 position available)

Both positions are structured as 3 rotating terms within the university’s co-op program.

Project Engineer Co-op Details:

This role immerses the student in a high-energy, innovative environment. The co-op will be involved in managing projects, making decisions, and interacting with PCA personnel in Engineering and Operations. The focus will be on Capital projects throughout the mill. The co-op will learn the project process from funding request through completion. They will develop skills in:

• Planning/Estimating
• Introduction to engineering design
• Contractor field oversight
• AutoCAD
• PCA’s CMMS program called TRIDENT
• Microsoft Office
• Working with multi-discipline teams

Reliability Co-op Details:

This role provides exposure to a high-energy, innovative environment, with the co-op managing projects, making decisions, and interacting with PCA personnel in Maintenance and Operations. The co-op will be mentored by Area Reliability Engineers, assisting with daily troubleshooting and special projects. The focus will be on predictive and preventive maintenance techniques to improve equipment reliability, with exposure to:

• Lubrication techniques
• Optical alignment
• Vibration analysis
• Best practice maintenance
• Root cause failure analysis

The co-op will have the opportunity to work on a variety of equipment and explore different working environments. Second and third-term students will receive additional job duties.

Basic Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled at Mississippi State University, The University of Mississippi, Auburn University, University of Alabama, University of Maine, University of Cincinnati, University of North Carolina State, Texas A&M University, University of Miami Ohio, Tennessee Technology University, or any University of TN, majoring in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Completion of freshman year.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0.
• Permanent U.S. resident.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Students who sign up for interviews through the University during Career Fairs and On-Campus Interview days will be given first consideration.

Application:

All qualified applicants must apply at Careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.

*PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.•