R&D Packaging and Materials Intern/ Co-op

Filtration Group Corp • Town of West Seneca, NY

1d

About The Position

As an R&D Packaging and Materials Intern/ Co-op, you will work alongside experienced engineers and scientists to support research, development, testing, and optimization of packaging formats and materials. You will contribute to projects that improve performance, sustainability, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness of packaging solutions. This role provides hands-on learning and exposure to cross-functional teams including suppliers, manufacturing, quality, and product development.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in (or recently graduated from) a bachelor’s or master’s program in Packaging Science, Materials Science or a related field.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and collaborate in cross-disciplinary environments.
• Attention to detail and ability to document technical work clearly.
• Ability to work in a fast moving and changing environment

Nice To Haves

• experience with TOPS (Packaging Design and Pallet Layout Software) and CAD tools (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the research and development of packaging designs, materials, and systems, supporting optimization of performance, cost, sustainability, and manufacturability.
• Support packaging development projects from concept through testing and validation, with packaging becoming an increasingly strategic focus in the overall product development process.
• Assist with development activities related to new and upcoming packaging regulations, including research on compliance requirements and integration of regulatory considerations into packaging designs and specifications.
• Create and maintain databases for packaging materials and specifications, ensuring accurate, up-to-date information for cross-functional teams and future reference.
• Conduct product and material research, including benchmarking, evaluation of new substrates, materials screening, and optimization of packaging solutions.
• Develop and update Quality Work Instructions (QWIs), packaging specifications, and technical documentation to support consistent execution of tests, trials, and production processes.
• Participate in lab and pilot trials, including setup, execution, data collection, and analysis to help validate packaging performance and support development decisions.
• Assist with investigations related to packaging performance issues, quality deviations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions — coordinating with R&D and quality teams as needed.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., R&D, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and suppliers) to support project execution, communicate findings, and integrate feedback into packaging solutions.
• Support documentation of test results, preparation of technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for packaging improvements or next steps.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern