Hybrid Packaging Engineer Intern | Pet Nutrition & R&D

Colgate; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Disability coverage

Vacation/PTO days

13 paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Hill's Pet Nutrition, a Hill's/Colgate-Palmolive unit, is seeking a Packaging Engineering Intern/Co-op in Topeka, KS. You will support packaging development from concept to scale-up, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and help ensure packaging meets cost, performance, and quality targets.

The role emphasizes data analysis, technical reporting, and hands-on testing in a dynamic packaging environment, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and learning.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program in a closely related technical field
• Minimum GPA: 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, team-oriented environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); familiarity with CAD or packaging-related software is a plus

Responsibilities

• Assist packaging engineers in driving packaging projects to closure from concept through commercialization
• Contribute to project documentation, timelines, and progress updates
• Support life cycle assessment (LCA) on packaging solutions and provide recommendations
• Collaborate with Product Development, Marketing, Design, Supply Chain, and other groups to identify and develop packaging technologies
• Help ensure packaging targets cost, usage, manufacturability, and compatibility with formulations
• Prepare and present clear technical summaries, packaging concepts, and test results to stakeholders
• Develop written reports, slide presentations, and supporting documentation
• Support packaging development through pilot and manufacturing scale-up
• Coordinate with Quality, Product Development, and manufacturing teams on specifications and design
• Monitor and conduct package testing (stability, transit, drop, etc.) and analyze data

Job description

Hill's Pet Nutrition, a Hill's/Colgate-Palmolive unit, is seeking a Packaging Engineering Intern/Co-op in Topeka, KS. You will support packaging development from concept to scale-up, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and help ensure packaging meets cost, performance, and quality targets.

The role emphasizes data analysis, technical reporting, and hands-on testing in a dynamic packaging environment, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and learning.