Merchandising Displays, Design Co-op, Spring 2027

Smurfit Westrock; Totowa (NJ); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Design Intern/Co-op for Spring 2027 in Totowa, NJ. You will assist in creating POP displays, preparing instructions, and mockups while gaining hands-on experience in the end-to-end packaging design process.

Ideal candidates are enrolled in Industrial Design, Graphic Design, or Packaging programs, eager to learn, with strong attention to detail and clear communication skills. On-site role with opportunities for mentorship and real-world project exposure.

Qualifications

• Actively enrolled in an accredited engineering or design program.
• Pursuing Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Packaging or related disciplines.
• Demonstrates curiosity, goal-setting, and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing and preparing POP displays, including plant assembly instructions and mockups.
• Organize project materials and manage outbound shipments.
• Maintain project documentation and learn the design-to-manufacturing workflow.
• Collaborate with design team to create visuals and follow brand standards.

Skills

Industrial Design

Graphic Design

Packaging

Communication

Education

Actively enrolled in an accredited program

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

3D visualization

Job description

Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Merchandising Displays – Design Intern/Co‑op Spring 2027

The Opportunity

As a Design Intern, you’ll be a key part of our design team, helping bring ideas to life through hands‑on execution. In this role, you’ll assist in developing and preparing POP displays, including plant assembly instructions, white samples, and mockups. You’ll also take ownership of organizing project materials, managing outbound shipments, and maintaining documentation— gaining valuable exposure to Smurfit Westrock’s fully integrated design, manufacturing, and assembly processes. All while learning about Smurfit Westrock & developing real‑world design experience in Point of Purchase design.

How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock

• Demonstrates Smurfit Westrock values of integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence and contributes positively to collaborative design team culture
• Achieves the highest level of customer satisfaction through timely and independent execution and delivery of prototypes, white samples, graphic mock‑ups & instructions
• Actively participates in team projects/ customer demands.
• Contributes to design requests under the supervision of project leads
• Creates creative and compelling visuals, appropriately leveraging Brand Guide, templates, and other tools
• Develops and gains experience under the guidance of Design and other colleagues
• Demonstrates anOpportunityMindset, seizing opportunities to learn from more senior Designers and using their own experiences to recommend and seek new opportunities for Smurfit Westrock business or Design team growth and development

Structural

• Basic applied 3-dimensional thinking
• Follows appropriate substrate and caliper fit for use materials guidance from more senior designers and leaders
• Follows testing protocols to conduct ship testing at the direction of more senior designers and leaders to help provide a fit for use perspective on packaging designs

Graphic

• Supports the execution of graphic visuals, mockups, and instructions with direction from teammates and Design Management
• Understands basic MFG processes and learning mock‑up production workflow
• Understands Smurfit Westrock Brand Standards and applies Smurfit Westrock branding in a manner that adheres to our corporate guidelines

What You Need To Succeed

• Candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited engineering college/university program.
• Should be pursuing a degree in Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Packaging, or other related disciplines
• Demonstrates an interest, willingness, and drive to learn new things; seeks to understand concepts, processes, and ideas within area of functional expertise; naturally inquisitive; sets meaningful goals for personal work productivity
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills: Clearly exchanges thoughts, ideas, and messages through written, verbal, and non-verbal methods that promote an understanding with the target audience; listens carefully and attentively
• Has an eye for recognizing errors or differences; plans and completes work with thoroughness, giving attention to specific information and individual details, conditions, necessary record keeping, and elements of that work
• Strong attention to detail and Problem‑Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations; demonstrates tackling a problem by using a logical, systematic, or sequential approach
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload: Plans, arranges and/or monitors work to ensure achievement of desired results; establishes a systematic course of action to accomplish objectives
• Demonstrates agility, flexibility, and a willingness to modify one’s approach to achieve desired results; responds quickly to changing demands, processes, and updated information
• Collaboration: Works effectively with others to complete a task or achieve a common objective; ability to cooperate in both interpersonal and team relationships to foster enthusiasm and maintain mutual trust, candor, and respect for others. Works through conflict constructively

What We Offer

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.