2027 Spring Packaging Engineering Co-op

Steelcase Inc.; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 31,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship program

In-depth training program

Job summary

Steelcase is seeking a Spring 2027 Packaging Engineering 6-month Co-op student to join us January–June 2027. You will learn from seasoned packaging professionals in furniture manufacturing and gain transferable skills for your career.

The role offers exposure to test labs, supplier coordination, cost-saving projects, and mentorship to help you develop packaging expertise in real-world settings.

Qualifications

• Completed materials and basic testing courses.
• Must own or have daily access to a car and hold a valid U.S. driver’s license.
• Limited travel may be required.
• Able to stand constantly and perform bending/twisting.
• Able to lift 35 lbs floor to waist, 50 lbs waist to shoulders; push/pull up to 15 lbs.
• Able to carry 35-55 lbs occasionally.
• Able to grasp with moderate force.

Responsibilities

• Preparing furniture for ship testing and collaborating with the test lab to review results.
• Assisting in issues that arise to help run the business.
• Connecting with suppliers and working in plants to obtain packaging samples.
• Working on cost savings projects.
• Investigating quality issues in packaging.
• Packaging material analysis and comparisons.
• Working on department spreadsheets to report progress and savings.
• Calculating volumes (cube) using CAPE and SAP.
• Issuing packaging BOM and specification changes.

Skills

Completed materials courses

Basic testing courses

Car ownership/ daily access to car

Valid U.S. driver’s license

Limited travel

Standing for long periods

Lift 35-50 lbs, push/pull 15 lbs

Education

Packaging or Applied Engineering with Packaging concentration

Pursuing undergrad or grad degree in accredited program

Job description

Office Location: 1101 - 1111 44th Street - - - - -

Date posted: 09-Oct-2026

Business Function: Manufacturing/Operations

Position Type: Co-op

Description

We are hiring a Spring 2027 Packaging Engineering 6 month Co-op student to join us from January - June 2027 to learn and grow alongside seasoned packaging professionals and have the ability to network with fellow packaging engineers globally. As an industrial packaging engineer in furniture manufacturing, you will be presented with the opportunity to develop solutions to unique challenges in corporate and manufacturing plant settings and develop skills that will be easily transferable to most other packaging settings for your future career.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Preparing furniture for ship testing and working with our test lab to test and review the results


• Assisting in issues that arise to help run the business


• Connecting with suppliers and working in manufacturing plants to obtain packaging samples


• Working on cost savings projects


• Investigating quality issues


• Packaging material analysis and comparisons


• Working on various department spreadsheets to report progress, savings, etc …


• Calculating volumes (cube) manually and using CAPE and SAP


• Issuing packaging BOM and specification changes

Your Future Team:

Our packaging team is a good mix of young professionals and top-tier industry veterans with decades of experience. This tight‑inked group of nine is committed to working hard, yet still finds time to have fun. In your free time, leaders will urge you to explore the city where you’ll enjoy a variety of after‑hours events .

We are committed to offering an in-depth training program. We offer freedom and trust for you to lead your projects and develop projects. We believe you will thrive with support from our mentorship program.

If you are interested, we will connect you with previous interns to learn about the experience.

Who Are You?

• Do you love to stay busy with important work?


• Are you passionate about meeting new people?


• Do you thrive in a fast‑paced environment where multitasking and organization are the keys to success?


• Are you capable of adapting to change quickly?


• Can you balance multiple stakeholders to find a solution that works for all?

Graduation Requirements

• Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at a nationally accredited program.


• Actively enrolled in a degree seeking program at the time of application and throughout the duration of the internship or co‑op position.


• Packaging or Applied Engineering Sciences with a Packaging concentration


• Preferred academic standing for this position: Junior or rising Senior students (December 2027 graduation dates and beyond)

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. The company will not offer sponsorships or work visas now or in the future for this role.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Completed materials and basic testing courses


• You must own or have daily access to a car and have a valid U.S. driver’s license


• Limited travel may be required


• Able to work standing constantly and with frequent bending and twisting.


• Able to occasionally lift 35 lbs. from floor to waist; lift 50 lbs from waist to shoulders; and push / pull up to 15 lbs.


• Able to occasionally carry 35-55 lbs.


• Able to occasionally grasp with moderate force.

Preferred Skills and Competencies

• Leadership experience inside and/or outside the classroom

Who We Are:

Steelcase is a global design and thought leader in the world of work. Along with our expansive community of brands, we design and manufacture innovative furnishings and solutions to help people do their best work in the many places where work happens.

Why People Choose to Work with Us :

At Steelcase, we put people at the center of everything we do. We understand the role of work and believe that it can bring meaning and purpose to the lives of our customers and our employees. We prioritize supporting our employees both in and out of work, in all aspects of their lives. When we bring our talents together, we make a positive lasting impact through our work and communities.

What Matters to Us:

More than qualifications, we’re looking for talent and potential. We are proud to have a strong and inclusive workforce, and we're always looking to improve our global community. We value applicants who are comfortable interacting with people different from themselves, building mutual respect and positive relationships. We invite people from all backgrounds and genders to apply. If we can make the application process easier through accommodation, please email us at [e-mail] .

Steelcase provides employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, genetic information, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, or veteran status and bases all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. We are proud to be recognized for our inclusive workforce by the Corporate Equality Index for the past nine years .

Steelcase is a MVAA- Gold Level Veteran-Friendly Employer. Steelcase recognizes the amazing experiences and skills that Veteran's possess . We encourage all Veterans and Veteran Spouses to apply.