Packaging Engineer Internships
Packaging engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience developing real packaging solutions, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Roles are concentrated across Telecommunications, Chemicals & Materials, and Electronics & Hardware, with Nokia, MACOM Technology Solutions, and Shure among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 21+ Packaging Engineer Internships
The Packaging Engineering Co-Op will help test and validate systems on an on-going basis. This position will be organizing control systems, Bill of Material structure for multiple product lines, and assisting with prototype unit buildups. You will work under and be given direction from senior engineers on a daily basis.
This position will serve Rheem North America, located in Montgomery, AL. This is a Co-Op position, working 40 hours per week, during a 1-3 semester duration and requires in-person interaction. This is not a “summer-only” role.
- RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist engineers with daily activities in R&D
- Interns will assist with new product introduction
- Interns will assist with Sustainability work of existing product line.
- Cost improvement projects
- Production assistance projects
- Field Quality projects
- Interns will assist lab testing and setting up of units.
- Assist in launch planning of a new product category
- Learn how to manage technical data per engineers’ request
- Assist with development of technical literature for field application.
- Assist in Regulatory and data analysis as needed
- QUALIFICATIONS
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering.
- Interest or experience in product design
- Basic knowledge of engineering principles (thermodynamics, statics, or electronics)
- Strong planning skills
- Good presentation skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent analytical and computer skills (Excel, Power Point, Word)
The Packaging Engineering Co-Op will help test and validate systems on an on-going basis. This position will be organizing control systems, Bill of Material structure for multiple product lines, and assisting with prototype unit buildups. You will work under and be given direction from senior engineers on a daily basis.
This position will serve Rheem North America, located in Montgomery, AL. This is a Co-Op position, working 40 hours per week, during a 1-3 semester duration and requires in-person interaction. This is not a “summer-only” role.
- RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist engineers with daily activities in R&D
- Interns will assist with new product introduction
- Interns will assist with Sustainability work of existing product line.
- Cost improvement projects
- Production assistance projects
- Field Quality projects
- Interns will assist lab testing and setting up of units.
- Assist in launch planning of a new product category
- Learn how to manage technical data per engineers’ request
- Assist with development of technical literature for field application.
- Assist in Regulatory and data analysis as needed
- QUALIFICATIONS
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering.
- Interest or experience in product design
- Basic knowledge of engineering principles (thermodynamics, statics, or electronics)
- Strong planning skills
- Good presentation skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent analytical and computer skills (Excel, Power Point, Word)
Packaging Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Telecommunications
- Chemicals & Materials
- Electronics & Hardware
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
Tips for Your Packaging Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than the role posting suggests
Large consumer goods, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing employers fill summer intern cohorts the preceding fall, sometimes closing applications before winter break. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Map out the employers you want and check their career pages in September and October, well before campus deadlines.
Build a portfolio before you submit a single application
Hiring teams for packaging engineer internships expect limited work history and look instead at what you can demonstrate. Document two or three projects, including the packaging materials, CAD or design software, and testing methods involved. A linked portfolio or case study gives a recruiter something concrete to evaluate when your resume has no internship experience yet.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside your campus activity widens the pool you reach and catches openings that never appear at fairs.
Practice your technical screen out loud before interviews
Packaging engineer intern interviews often include a technical component covering materials science, packaging design principles, or a case problem involving structural or sustainability trade-offs. Practice explaining your reasoning aloud, not just arriving at an answer, because interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as your final conclusion.
Identify structured rotational and university programs early
Several large consumer packaged goods, pharmaceutical, and industrial manufacturers run formal packaging engineering internship cohorts designed to train people new to the field. These programs recruit in the fall, fill fast, and often require a separate application from the standard job listing. Find them on company career pages and apply in the first wave of postings.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 40% of the packaging engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through listings. Filtering by location and work type from the start means you spend your time on roles you can actually take, not on postings you will rule out after reading the full description.
Packaging Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a packaging engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. The concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a portfolio of documented packaging or materials projects, including the tools and software used. Pair direct applications to company career pages with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a packaging engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for packaging engineer interns is consistent performance on real project deliverables, available headcount on the team at offer time, and clear communication with your manager about your interest before the internship ends. Position for a return offer by treating every assignment as you would full-time work, without counting on the outcome.
When should I apply for packaging engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large consumer goods, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing applications before winter break. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check company career pages directly and set up saved searches so you catch new postings as soon as they go live.
Are packaging engineer internships paid?
Most professional packaging engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it. Structured programs at large consumer packaged goods and pharmaceutical companies tend to offer competitive rates, while smaller manufacturers and nonprofits vary more widely.
What should a packaging engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that show the packaging materials, design software such as CAD tools, or testing methods you used, and link to any case studies or design portfolios where the work is visible. Add relevant coursework in packaging science, materials, or engineering. Keep the entire resume to one page.
Are there remote packaging engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 60% of the packaging engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early once you decide what arrangement fits your situation. Use the work-type filter to see only remote or hybrid roles so you are not sorting through positions that require on-site presence.
Can international students get packaging engineer internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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