Plant Optimization Engineer INTERN (Plano, TX)

Packaging Corporation of America; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Life, AD&D, and disability insurance

Job summary

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) offers a Plant Optimization Engineer Summer Internship providing hands-on technical experience across Production and Maintenance in our box plants. Upon successful completion of the program, interns may be offered a full-time position to begin after graduation into PCA’s POE Program.

You will work with engineers, maintenance, consultants, contractors, vendors, and operations; develop problem‑solving and communication skills; organize improvements and

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a relevant engineering discipline and completed freshman year.
• GPA at least 3.0/4.0.
• Eligible to work in the US on a full-time basis.

Responsibilities

• Develop understanding of PCA’s business, industry, and production.
• Build core professional skills: communication, presentation, time management, problem-solving, networking.
• Collaborate with engineers, maintenance, consultants, contractors, vendors, and operations.
• Assist with moderate to large process improvements and capital/expense projects focusing on asset health and reliability.
• Troubleshoot problems and perform root cause analysis; propose innovative solutions.
• Each intern will have a mentor and give a final presentation to management and fellow interns.

Skills

High energy

Intellectual curiosity

Professionalism

Multitask

Ownership

Willing to travel

Education

Engineering student (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial)

GPA 3.0/4.0 or higher

US work eligibility (full-time)

Job description

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.

People Customers Trust

Program Overview:

PCA’s Plant Optimization Engineer Summer Internship offers hands‑on technical experience across the key departments of Production and Maintenance in our box plants. Upon successful completion of the program, interns may be offered a full‑time position to begin after graduation into PCA’s POE Program.

Principle Accountabilities include:

• Develop an understanding of PCA’s business, industry, and production.
• Build core professional skills: communication, presentation, time management, problem‑solving, and networking
• Work with engineers, maintenance, consultants, contractors, vendors, and operations.
• Work on special projects assigned to assist engineers, teach responsibility, and improve communication.
• Organize, implement, and assist with moderate to large process improvements, problem elimination, equipment reliability improvements, and capital/expense projects focusing on asset health and overall improved reliability.
• Troubleshoot problems and perform root cause analysis.
• Recommend innovative solutions to improve equipment, facility, and plant operations.
• Each intern will be paired with a mentor to help guide their development.
• Give a final presentation on your internship experience to management & fellow interns.

Educational Requirements:

• Must be currently enrolled student majoring in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering or related discipline and have completed the freshman year.
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 is required
• Must be eligible to work in the US on a full‑time basis

Abilities/Skills:

• High energy and intellectual curiosity
• Candidate must display maturity and a high level of professionalism
• Must be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• The student must take ownership of their work. The ability to work with other personnel, operators, and supervisors is a requirement. A positive work attitude is essential.
• Ability and willingness to travel on assignments

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Starting salary for position:$25 per hour.

• Paid Holidays.
• Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision – and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
• Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre‑tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.
• Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA’s good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer