Intern, Product Application Innovation

Ball Corporation; Broomfield (CO); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 54,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing benefits

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Ball Corporation invites motivated students to join a 10-week Product Application Innovation Internship in Colorado. You will explore ink, coating, and graphics technologies, participate in technology scouting, benchmarking, and data analysis, and gain hands-on experience with prototype development from concept to potential commercialization.

You will collaborate with scientists, engineers, and cross-functional teams while gaining exposure to packaging innovation, technology assessment, and

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor degree in target disciplines.
• Eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Interest in ink, coating, and graphics tech.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate ink, coating, and graphics technologies.
• Research market trends for beverage packaging innovation.
• Develop prototype concepts and samples for next-generation solutions.
• Assist with lab-scale sample preparation, testing, and characterization.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Materials science

Analytical skills

Prototyping

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science & Engineering

Tools

Laboratory equipment

AI-powered tools

Job description

At Ball, integrity and trust are the foundation of who we are. Guided by our core values —"We Care. We Work. We Win."— we create a culture where every voice matters and every idea drives progress. Together with our global employees, customers, and partners, we’re turning bold sustainability goals into reality and shaping a future we can all be proud of.

Position Overview

Our internship program is designed for students enrolled in an accredited university or college who are interested in developing on-the-job skills, experiences and insights that last a lifetime. Over the course of 10 weeks, you will have opportunities to learn about several areas of our business, network and collaborate with Ball leaders, and get involved in challenging project work. The Product Application Innovation Intern will gain knowledge in the development, evaluation, and implementation of ink, coating, and graphics technologies for aluminum beverage packaging. Working on a variety of innovation projects, the intern will support technology assessments, laboratory experimentation, competitive benchmarking, and technical data analysis while learning the product development process from concept through commercialization.

What You’ll Do

• Evaluate emerging ink, coating, and graphics technologies through technology scouting, competitive intelligence, and State of Technology assessments.
• Research market trends, adjacent industries, and novel materials to identify opportunities for future beverage packaging innovation.
• Develop innovative prototype concepts and proof-of-concept samples to explore next-generation decoration, coating, and product application solutions.
• Assist with laboratory-scale sample preparation, testing, characterization, and performance evaluation of inks and coatings.
• Leverage AI-enabled and digital knowledge management tools to improve technical information organization, searchability, and accessibility.
• Analyze technical data and communicate findings through reports, presentations, and recommendations that support innovation decision-making.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to evaluate and advance new technologies and materials.
• Attend professional development activities, including a professional development week at our corporate headquarters in Colorado.

What We Are Seeking

• Current students pursuing a bachelor's degree in Material Science & Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline at an accredited 4-year college or university.
• And has completed at least one year of coursework with a graduation date of December 2027 or later
• Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. without visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Innovative mindset with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and future-focused solutions.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage and interpret technical information in a structured manner.
• Creative thinker capable of developing novel ideas, prototypes, and approaches to solving technical challenges.
• Self-motivated collaborator who can work independently while contributing effectively within cross-functional teams.

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience developing and evaluating innovative ink, coating, and graphics solutions in a corporate R&D environment.
• Mentorship and guidance from experienced scientists, engineers, and innovation leaders.
• Exposure to multiple areas of packaging innovation, including technology scouting, laboratory testing, product development, and professional networking opportunities.
• A deeper understanding of how new technologies progress from concept through commercialization and customer adoption.
• A potential pathway for full-time consideration post‑graduation.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly Rate: $24 - $26 (hourly rate is dependent on education level)
• May be eligible for additional housing benefits
• Hybrid On‑Site Work Environment: Based in Colorado, this position requires regular in‑person engagement by working on‑site for three (3) or more work days per work week (with core collaboration days of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). Travel and local commute between Ball locations and other possible non‑Ball locations may be required.

When submitting your application to Ball, we encourage you to emphasize your skills, experience, and qualifications that align with the role.

Ball Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively encourage applications from everybody. All qualified job applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, aboriginality, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran status, age, political affiliation or any other non‑merit characteristic. Please note the advertised job title might vary from the job title on the contract due to local job title structure and global HR systems.

• Under Colorado, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania law, you have the right to exclude or redact age-related details—such as your date of birth, school attendance dates, or graduation dates—from your resume, cover letter, CV, or other supporting documents (e.g., transcripts, certificates).
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visa, now or in the future, for this job opening.
• This position will be posted internally for a minimum of 5 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on the volume of applicants.