2027 Summer Intern: R&D (PhD)

PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 29,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

PepsiCo offers an R&D internship where interns collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and launch innovative products across the beverage and snack portfolio. You will participate in ideation, prototyping, and optimization, contributing to production startup efforts.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, pilot plant exposure, and manufacturing-scale experience, with opportunities to learn from industry leaders.

Qualifications

• PhD: final year of PhD studies and must graduate within one year of internship completion.
• This position is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States.
• Ability to translate business objectives into strategic and tactical project goals and objectives.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams comprising technical experts to design, execute, and launch new products across PepsiCo's portfolio.
• Participate in the product development process from ideation through product launch.
• Work in laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing scale environments.

Skills

Lab testing

Cross-functional collaboration

Research and development

Data analysis

Technical communication

Education

Engineering/related degree

PhD in final year

US work authorization

Tools

Data science

Job description

Overview

SMILE AT WHAT'S NEXT

At PepsiCo, you'll find the opportunity to grow your career, make an impact, and help shape what's next. As one of the world's leading food and beverage companies, our beloved brands—including Gatorade, Lay's, and Quaker-help create smiles with every sip and bite. Behind our products is a connected system that starts with how we source and grow ingredients alongside farmers and extends to how we make, move, and deliver products while driving positive impact for our business and communities.

At the heart of PepsiCo are our people: professionals who bring curiosity, drive, and fresh thinking, working together to turn ideas into action. Across functions, teams, and markets, we collaborate to solve challenges, unlock new opportunities, and create meaningful impact for our consumers, customers, and communities.

No matter your role, you'll be part of a connected community where your contributions matter, your voice is heard, and your development is supported. With opportunities to grow, belong, and smile, PepsiCo offers more than a place to build your career—it offers the chance to help create what's next.

Responsibilities

At PepsiCo we place R&D Full- Time hires primarily in the two headquarters locations: Plano, TX; Purchase/Valhalla, NY (New York). In some cases, Full-Time hires will be placed in satellite locations. Location preferences will be discussed in the interview process.

As a R&D Engineer (product or process engineer), you will collaborate with cross functional teams comprising technical experts within the R&D function, as well as business unit leaders to design, execute, and launch new innovative products across PepsiCo's portfolio. You will play a critical role in the innovation lifecycle by providing your insight and technical expertise from ideation through product launch.

As an R&D Food Scientist, you will participate in the product development process including new idea generation, prototype development, and product optimization and production start-up across a diverse portfolio of beverage and snack product categories.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an Engineering, Food Science, Agriculture, or related degree
• Must graduate with a PhD within one (1) year of internship completion
• Eligible to work in United States without work authorization sponsorship
• Demonstrated ability to translate business objectives into strategic and tactical project goals and objectives
• Proven ability to make significant technical scientific advances utilizing internal and/or external resources
• Demonstrated understanding of how to incorporate business needs into technical decisions
• Ability and interest to work in laboratory, pilot plant and manufacturing scale environments
• Familiarity with data science preferred
• Proven ability to manage multiple assignments/ tasks
• Effective communication skills (oral and written)
• Willingness to travel
• Actual working location will be determined at point of offer: Plano or Valhalla

Minimum Qualifications - Each candidate is expected to:

• PhD: The candidate should be entering their final year of their PhD studies following the internship and must graduate within one year of internship completion.
• This position is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States.

Compensation

• The expected compensation hourly pay ranges for hires into our 2027 campus intern openings is $21.09 - $55.40 hourly.
• Role, degree discipline, degree level, and location are part of the process when determining actual starting salary for positions.
• Hourly pay for our campus hires is pre-determined and non-negotiable.
• We love to convert our interns to full-time opportunities! Our full-time positions have a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

EEO Statement

Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age

If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.

Please view our Pay Transparency Statement.