INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Mechanical Engineering Co Op/Intern - All Mills

CompanyPCA
LocationTomahawk
Work ModeOn Site
PostedAugust 24, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The intern will support mechanical reliability and project engineering assignments to improve mill safety, equipment performance, and operational efficiency. Responsibilities include applying maintenance techniques, managing capital projects, and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to support mill operations.
Internship Type
full time
Salary Range
$25 - $30
Company Size
7076
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
PCA is the third-largest producer of containerboard in the United States and a leading producer of uncoated freesheet in North America. PCA’s net sales for 2025 were $9 billion. The company’s corporate headquarters are located in Lake Forest, Illinois. We have approximately 16,800 employees with operations throughout the United States including ten mills and 91 corrugated product plants & related facilities. PCA’s Paper segment operates under the trade name Boise Paper, a Division of Packaging Corporation of America. We manufacture and sell white papers, including both commodity and specialty papers. PCA combines great products with a creative and knowledgeable total-service team to provide ideas and solutions for any packaging need: "When you choose Packaging Corporation of America, you work with people who do the right things for each other and for our customers. We believe in utilizing the power of strong collaborative relationships, bound by the trust we have earned, to deliver innovative packaging solutions and an outstanding service experience."​
About the Role

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

 

 

Mechanical Reliability and Project Engineering Co Op/Intern

We are seeking resumes for a mechanical engineering co-op. This application may lead to two potential job titles depending on mill needs: a mechanical reliability engineering co-op and a mechanical project engineering co-op. The primary responsibilities for both are detailed below.

Mechanical Reliability Engineering Co-Op

  • Support mechanical reliability assignments that improve mill safety, efficiency, equipment performance, and cost effectiveness.
  • Apply predictive and preventive maintenance techniques, such as lubrication practices, optical alignment, vibration analysis, and root cause failure analysis to improve equipment reliability.
  • Collect, analyze, and use mill data to support process optimization, troubleshooting, operational cost tracking, quality, product safety, and business decision-making.
  • Work with engineering, maintenance, operations, outside resources, and multi-disciplinary teams to coordinate improvement efforts and support mill operations.
  • Additional duties as requested by management.

Mechanical Project Engineering Co-Op

  • Support mechanical project engineering assignments that improve mill safety, efficiency, equipment performance, and cost effectiveness.
  • Assist with capital projects from funding request through completion, including planning, estimating, engineering design exposure, contractor field oversight, and project coordination.
  • Use tools and systems such as AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, process information systems, and PCA’s CMMS program, Trident, to complete engineering and reliability work.
  • Work with engineering, maintenance, operations, outside resources, and multi-disciplinary teams to coordinate improvement efforts and support mill operations.
  • Additional duties as requested by management.

Basic Qualifications:

Required:

A minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 is required and must be a permanent U.S. resident with a valid driver’s license. Must be majoring in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related field and have completed freshman year or will have completed freshman year at time of co-op or internship. 

Preferred:

Currently a member of the paper foundation at the following schools: Auburn University, Georgia Tech University, University of Maine, Miami University (Ohio), University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, NC State University, SUNY ESF, University of Washington – Seattle, Western Michigan University, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, or currently enrolled at any State University or Technological University in the following states: AL, FL, GA, IL, ID, LA, MI, MN, MS, NC, ND, OH, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI. Students that sign up for interviews during the Career Fairs and On-Campus Interview days at the schools listed will be given first consideration.

Completing this application makes you eligible for consideration at any of PCA’s 10 mill locations as follows:

  • Counce, TN
  • Deridder, LA
  • Filer City, MI
  • International Falls, MN
  • Jackson, AL 
  • Massillon, OH
  • Riverville, VA
  • Tomahawk, WI
  • Valdosta, GA
  • Wallula, WA

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

  • Starting salary for position: $25-$30 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

Qualified Applicants must apply at careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.

 

Key Skills
Mechanical engineeringPredictive maintenancePreventive maintenanceLubrication practicesOptical alignmentVibration analysisRoot cause failure analysisData analysisProcess optimizationTroubleshootingCapital projectsEngineering designAutoCADMicrosoft OfficeProject coordinationCMMS
Categories
EngineeringManufacturing
Benefits
MedicalDentalVisionLife insuranceAD&DDisability coverage401k planEmployer matching contributionsPaid holidays