Process Engineer Internships
Process engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working alongside working engineers and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated in Automotive, Manufacturing, and Consumer Goods, with Tesla, Constellium, and Tremco CPG among the employers posting roles now.
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People • Customers • Trust
This will be a learning and development position at the Jackson mill. As a co-op with PCA, the selected individual will work closely with all members of the department by participating in process improvement projects. The individual will be assigned project work including process optimization and studies, process safety evaluations, data analysis, capital project scope and justification, and other process related projects.
Principle Responsibilities:
- Coordinate projects during design and construction.
- Assist with software and hardware checkout on new systems and control strategies.
- Build and implement equipment maintenance databases.
- Perform data collection and analysis for production optimization.
- Work with engineers, maintenance, consultants, contractors, vendors, and operations.
- Coordinate inspection programs for tanks and pressure vessels.
- Work on special projects to optimize chemical usage in the pulping process.
- Automate data collection and reporting for production benchmarks.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 is required.
- Must be a permanent U.S. resident, requiring no sponsorship.
- Currently attending a participating University (Mississippi State University, The University of Mississippi, Auburn University, University of Alabama, University of South Alabama, University of Maine, University of North Carolina State, University of Miami Ohio, Georgia Tech, University of Tennessee or Tennessee Technology University, majoring in Paper Science or Chemical/Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or other related majors
- Exhibit excellent communication, analytical and computer skills (proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Power Point)
- Self-starter and be able to work on projects and interpret results with little oversight.
- Must be willing and able to work any shift, weekends, holidays, and overtime, as needed.
- Any previous industrial exposure is of benefit.
- Starting salary for position: $27.00 per hour.
- Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.
- Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA’s good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Qualified Applicants must apply at careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.
People • Customers • Trust
This will be a learning and development position at the Jackson mill. As a co-op with PCA, the selected individual will work closely with all members of the department by participating in process improvement projects. The individual will be assigned project work including process optimization and studies, process safety evaluations, data analysis, capital project scope and justification, and other process related projects.
Principle Responsibilities:
- Coordinate projects during design and construction.
- Assist with software and hardware checkout on new systems and control strategies.
- Build and implement equipment maintenance databases.
- Perform data collection and analysis for production optimization.
- Work with engineers, maintenance, consultants, contractors, vendors, and operations.
- Coordinate inspection programs for tanks and pressure vessels.
- Work on special projects to optimize chemical usage in the pulping process.
- Automate data collection and reporting for production benchmarks.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 is required.
- Must be a permanent U.S. resident, requiring no sponsorship.
- Currently attending a participating University (Mississippi State University, The University of Mississippi, Auburn University, University of Alabama, University of South Alabama, University of Maine, University of North Carolina State, University of Miami Ohio, Georgia Tech, University of Tennessee or Tennessee Technology University, majoring in Paper Science or Chemical/Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or other related majors
- Exhibit excellent communication, analytical and computer skills (proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Power Point)
- Self-starter and be able to work on projects and interpret results with little oversight.
- Must be willing and able to work any shift, weekends, holidays, and overtime, as needed.
- Any previous industrial exposure is of benefit.
- Starting salary for position: $27.00 per hour.
- Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.
- Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA’s good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Qualified Applicants must apply at careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.
Process Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Consumer Goods
- Construction & Real Estate
- Chemicals & Materials
Tips for Your Process Engineer Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer roles
Large employers in chemicals, refining, and manufacturing close their summer intern cohorts months before the start date, often by December or January. Set a reminder to search and apply the preceding fall. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so searching year-round catches both cycles.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
At the intern level, hiring teams weigh documented project work over a short employment history. For process engineer candidates, that means simulation outputs, process flow diagrams, lab reports with quantified results, or CAD files you can share. Two or three complete, linked artifacts give recruiters something concrete to assess and set your application apart from a plain course list.
Work your campus network and apply directly
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Professors and career center staff frequently 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.
Practice your technical screen out loud
Process engineer intern screens typically include a technical or engineering problem-solving component, expect questions on mass and energy balances, process design logic, or process improvement scenarios. Practice solving these problems aloud and explaining your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as the final answer.
Target structured rotational programs early
Large chemical, energy, and manufacturing companies run rotational or cohort internship programs built specifically to train people new to process engineering. These programs rotate you across functional areas, recruit heavily in the fall, and fill fast. Identify the programs that align with your degree and apply in the first recruitment wave rather than waiting for spring postings.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the process engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before you start searching, then filter by location and work type so you're not sorting through roles you can't take. On Migrate Mate, the work-type filter lets you narrow to remote, hybrid, or on-site openings in a single click.
Process Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a process engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A documented project portfolio, with process diagrams, simulation outputs, or lab reports that demonstrate applied engineering judgment, gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a process engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it is performance on real work, available headcount at the time your offer window opens, and how early you signal interest to your manager. Position for a return offer by owning your deliverables and building relationships across the team, without counting on the outcome.
When should I apply for process engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers at major chemical, manufacturing, and energy companies recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing applications before the new year. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check regularly and apply as soon as a role fits rather than waiting for a single application season.
Are process engineer internships paid?
Most professional process engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and some employers also cover relocation or housing. Where an employer discloses a pay range, it appears directly in the listing, so you can compare opportunities as you apply.
What should a process engineer internship resume include?
Lead with two or three complete, documented projects rather than work history. For process engineer candidates, the strongest proof is a design report, a simulation or modeling output, a lab project with quantified results, or a CAD portfolio, linked or attached so recruiters can review the actual work. Add relevant coursework, any lab or software tools you used, and keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote process engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the process engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they attract applicants nationally, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a rotational engineering internship?
A rotational engineering internship places you in two or three different functional areas, such as process design, operations, and quality, over a single internship term, giving broader exposure than a fixed-placement role. These programs are common at large chemical, energy, and manufacturing companies, target students new to the field, recruit early in the fall, and are competitive, so apply in the first wave.
Can international students get process 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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