Process Engineer Co-Op or Intern

Ahlstrom; Kaukauna (WI); On-site; USD 31,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Job summary

Ahlstrom is seeking a motivated Process Engineer Intern or Co‑Op to join our manufacturing and engineering team in 2027. You will work with process engineers, operations leaders, and production teams to support continuous improvement, analyze manufacturing processes, and contribute to safety, quality, productivity, and sustainability initiatives.

The role is ideal for students who enjoy problem solving, data analysis, and seeing their work impact manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in an Engineering degree program (Paper Science, Chemical, Mechanical)
• Minimum sophomore standing preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Ability to work independently and on a team
• Comfortable on a production floor

Responsibilities

• Follow manufacturing and hygiene processes to meet safety and quality requirements
• Assist or lead safety, productivity, quality and cost-control projects
• Support process improvement projects focused on safety, quality and efficiency
• Analyze process data to identify trends and troubleshoot issues
• Assist with root cause investigations related to production and quality
• Participate in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, quality and technical teams
• Develop and update process documentation and SOPs
• Collect production data to support engineering studies
• Present findings to plant leadership

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Excel proficiency

Education

Engineering degree program (Paper Science, Chemical, Mechanical)

Sophomore standing preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

You have a choice of where you want to work! We invite you along on our journey to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to attract, retain, and energize passionate people, like you, by investing in your professional development and providing opportunities for personal growth. Do your values align with ours? Accountability, Growth mindset, One team, Care and a fair and inclusive work environment for everyone, everywhere! We strive to meet the highest standards of corporate citizenship by protecting the health and safety of our team, safeguarding the environment, and creating a long-lasting, positive impact on the communities where we do business. Are you with us?!?

Thilmany is seeking a motivated and hands‑on Process Engineer Intern or Co-Op to join our manufacturing and engineering team in 2027. This position provides an excellent opportunity for students pursuing an engineering degree to gain real‑world experience in a fast‑paced paper manufacturing environment. The selected candidate will work directly with process engineers, operations leaders, maintenance personnel, and production teams to support continuous improvement initiatives, analyze manufacturing processes, and contribute to projects that improve safety, quality, productivity, and sustainability.

This role is ideal for students who enjoy problem‑solving, data analysis, and seeing their work make a tangible impact on manufacturing operations.

Pay Rate

• $27.00 per hour
• Housing stipend available for qualified candidates relocating to the Kaukauna area for the duration of the internship or co‑op assignment.

Intern or Co‑Op Schedule Options

• January-August 2027 (8-Month Co-Op)
• June-December 2027 (7-Month Co-Op)
• June-August 2027 (3 Month Internship)

Requirements

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis
• Enrolled in a Paper Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or similar Engineering degree program
• Minimum sophomore standing preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Comfortable working in a manufacturing setting and spending time on the production floor.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels of the organization

Responsibilities

• Must follow Ahlstrom’s manufacturing and hygiene processes, procedures and policies, as applicable, to the position’s areas of responsibility, in order to meet and maintain the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance requirements for each grade of paper
• Assist and/or lead safety, productivity, quality, efficiency, cost control, compliance, and housekeeping projects
• Support process improvement projects focused on safety, quality, efficiency, reliability, and cost reduction.
• Analyze process data to identify trends, troubleshoot issues, and recommend improvements.
• Assist with root cause investigations related to production, quality, equipment performance, or process variability.
• Participate in continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, quality, and technical teams to implement process changes.
• Develop and update process documentation, standard operating procedures, and technical reports.
• Conduct field observations and collect production data to support engineering studies.
• Assist with capital project planning and execution as assigned.
• Present project findings and recommendations to plant leadership.

Why Thilmany?

At Thilmany, interns and co‑op students are treated as valued members of the team. You'll work on projects that impact mill performance, sustainability, safety, and reliability while gaining practical experience that will prepare you for a successful engineering career.

Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which we are firmly bound. Ahlstrom will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with our company based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non‑disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

About Us.

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people.