Packaging Engineering Co-op - 2027

Johnsonville Sausage, LLC; Sheboygan Falls (WI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

24/7 onsite fitness center

Onsite medical clinic

Job summary

Johnsonville, LLC is offering an 8-month Packaging Engineer Co-op in Sheboygan Falls, WI, starting January 4, 2027 or May 24, 2027. You will join the R&D packaging team at the Johnsonville Technical Center, gaining hands-on experience across packaging materials and equipment.

Ideal candidates are Packaging Engineering majors in junior or senior year with GPA requirements and a drive to learn in a team‑based environment. Travel to Johnsonville facilities is expected as needed.

Qualifications

• Packaging engineering students in junior or senior year with GPA expectations.
• Strong leadership, teamwork, and problem solving are valued.
• Demonstrated interest in packaging or materials science is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and design new packaging concepts meeting function and cost targets.
• Create protocepts using drawings and CAD tools for review.
• Support plant trials of new packaging materials and equipment.
• Modify lines/equipment for new processing applications.
• Troubleshoot production, product, and material issues.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Manufacturing and Engineering to meet goals.

Skills

Leadership

Entrepreneurial spirit

Teamwork

Education

Packaging Engineering major

Job description

Johnsonville Location: Tech Center

Johnsonville will place you, as an intern or co‑op student, into a fun and challenging position where you can make real contributions to real projects, applying your knowledge and creativity. In addition to hands‑on experience in your field, you'll have the chance to work with Members from a variety of functional areas, in a team‑based work environment and a culture that celebrates growth and learning. We value the enthusiasm, fresh ideas and desire to learn and grow that you'll bring to the organization. You'll have a one‑of‑a‑kind experience at Johnsonville and be able to say you helped make a real difference at a great, global company.

Position Overview

Johnsonville, LLC has an exciting opportunity for an 8‑month Packaging Engineer Co‑op with our Research & Development team in Sheboygan Falls, WI. We have opportunities starting on January 4, 2027, or May 24, 2027.

Join us in 2027 at the Johnsonville Technical Center on our Sheboygan Falls campus, which includes a packaging lab, pilot plant, product evaluation area, and engineering team.

Responsibilities

You will be involved in one or more of the following assignments:

• Develop and design new packages or improve packages that meet functionality and cost requirements
• Develop protocepts of packages; this will be done with drawings, descriptions, and via computer design
• Facilitate plant trials of new packaging materials and/or equipment
• Adapt/modify current lines/equipment to new processing applications
• Troubleshoot and problem analysis related to production, products and materials
• Work with other departments (Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering, etc) and outside customers and suppliers in support of projects and departmental packaging goals and objectives

You’ll work on projects using the following types of packaging materials and equipment:

Materials

• Corrugated
• Paperboard Folding Cartons
• Stretch Wrap
• EPS Trays
  • Expanded Polystrene
• PVC Film
  • Polyvinyl chloride
• Poly Forming and Non‑forming Films
  • Polyester
  • Polypropylene
  • EVOH barrier (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol)
• Bubble Wrap
• Pressure Sensative Labels
• Closures (Zippers, PS Tape, Clips)
• Plastic Monomers and Copolymers ;
  • PP, PET, RPET, etc.
• Rigid and Semi Rigid Barrier Films
• Various Sustainable Tray Materials

Equipment

• Multi‑Vac
• Rapid Paks
• Lantech Case Erectors
• Label‑Aire Labelers
• Palletizers
• Pick and Place robotics
• Conveyor Systems
• Klik Kloc Carton Erector
• Tapers
• Omori Wrappers
• Tray Sealers
• Instron Tensile Strength Tester
• Intec Freezer and Blast Freezer

Education

• Candidate must currently be in their junior or senior year and a Packaging Engineer Major
• Minimum 2.70 overall GPA and a 3.0 GPA in their core packaging concentration required

Experience

• Prior work experience preferred

Skills

• Demonstrate leadership and persuasive skills, strong work ethic, and entrepreneurial spirit
• Desire to contribute and learn in a team‑based environment

Other Requirements

• At least 18 years old
• Willing and able to travel to various Johnsonville facilities

Benefits and Compensation

Johnsonville offers access to the 24/7 onsite fitness center, and onsite medical clinic! Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the country where this job is located, without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

About our Company

Since 1945, our family‑owned band of sausage‑makers has invented better ways to make, eat and prepare crave‑able sausage. Today, we are 4,000+ Members strong. We sell our famous sausage in all 50 United States and more than 40 countries. We have a culture built on the idea that if we make developing your talents our top priority, great business results will follow naturally. We call it The Johnsonville Way. It has been our secret sauce for decades, and we hope you get to experience it for yourself!

Johnsonville is an equal opportunity employer, including Vet/Disability.

We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.

The Johnsonville Way

Our culture, called the Johnsonville Way, guides the way we behave, operate and treat one another. We truly believe that here at Johnsonville, we have a moral responsibility to create and maintain an environment that requires each Member to fully develop their God‑given talents and help others to do the same. We achieve this by living the Johnsonville Way.

Our owner is famous for saying that, "Other companies use their people to build a business, but at Johnsonville, we use the business to build our people." We are proud to offer endless opportunities for continued learning and growth here at Johnsonville.

Nearest Major Market: Sheboygan

Nearest Secondary Market: Green Bay