Plant Optimization Engineer INTERN (Plano, TX)

Packaging Corporation of America • Plano, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

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. The program focuses on developing core professional skills such as communication, presentation, time management, problem-solving, and networking. Interns will collaborate with engineers, maintenance staff, consultants, contractors, vendors, and operations teams. They will work on special projects to assist engineers, foster responsibility, and improve communication. Key activities include organizing, implementing, and assisting with process improvements, problem elimination, equipment reliability enhancements, and capital/expense projects aimed at improving asset health and overall reliability. Interns will also troubleshoot problems, perform root cause analysis, and recommend innovative solutions. Each intern will be paired with a mentor for guidance and will conclude with a final presentation of their internship experience to management and fellow interns.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Give a final presentation on your internship experience to management & fellow interns.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed