Manufacturing Engineering Co-op - Spring 2027, Mills

Smurfit-Westrock, a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging, operates in 40 countries with over 500 packaging converting operations and 63 paper mills. We offer an unparalleled portfolio of innovative packaging solutions, ranging from corrugated and consumer packaging to Bag-in-Box® packaging and point-of-sale displays. With the circular economy at the core of our business, we use renewable, recyclable and recycled materials to create sustainable packaging solutions. As a trusted partner to companies across the world, Smurfit Westrock is dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. We are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate. Learn more at www.smurfitwestrock.com.  

Manufacturing Engineering Spring 2027 Co-op – Various Locations 

Position Overview: The Manufacturing Engineering Intern/Co-op will work in a paper mill manufacturing environment supporting operational, reliability, and process improvement initiatives. This role provides hands-on experience applying engineering fundamentals to large-scale industrial systems while collaborating with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams. 

Interns and co-ops will contribute to projects focused on safety, productivity, cost reduction, equipment reliability, energy efficiency, and environmental performance, preparing students for full-time engineering roles in manufacturing or process industries. 

Program Details & Locations: 

Term: January 2027 – May 2027 

Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) 

Locations: Paper mill facilities across the U.S; Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington 

Opportunities vary by location and business need 

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:  

Apply engineering fundamentals to real-world manufacturing challenges 

Analyze operational data and present findings to engineering and plant leadership 

Participate in continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives 

Follow and promote all plant safety rules and best practices 

Collaborate with operations, maintenance, EHS, and engineering teams 

Manage day-to-day activities of assigned roles, complete project tasks, and implement new processes 

You will gain exposure to one or more of the following fields within the Pulp, Paper, and Packaging Manufacturing Industry, working in departments such as the Pulp Mill, Paper Machine, Utilities & Energy Systems (Power and Recovery), Maintenance & Reliability, and Process Controls. 

Opportunities by Department: 

Pulp Mill 

Analyze pulping and bleaching processes to improve yield, kappa control, and energy efficiency 

Support optimization of chemical usage and recovery systems 

Monitor and analyze process data to reduce variability and improve fiber quality 

Assist with environmental compliance related to water, effluent, and emissions 

Paper Machine  

Support paper machine performance optimization (throughput, quality, runnability) 

Analyze process variability and conduct root cause analysis of breaks or defects 

Support trials related to fiber blends, additives, and operating conditions 

Evaluate energy usage in dryer sections and recommend efficiency improvements 

Utilities & Energy Systems 

Support boiler, turbine, and steam distribution system optimization 

Analyze energy usage and support energy reduction initiatives 

Assist with water balance studies and process water optimization 

Support reliability improvements for critical utility assets 

Maintenance & Reliability 

Perform root cause failure analysis (RCFA) on equipment issues 

Support preventive and predictive maintenance programs 

Analyze maintenance and downtime data to improve asset reliability 

Assist with outage planning and execution 

Electrical, Controls & Automation 

Support PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems 

Assist with troubleshooting instrumentation and control loops 

Analyze process control data to improve stability and throughput 

Support automation, digitalization, and control modernization projects 

Requirements: 

Candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited engineering college/university program pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Paper Science/Engineering, or a related discipline. 

Ability to work effectively in an industrial manufacturing environment 

Be able to Maintain strict adherence to safety rules and regulations 

Ability to commit to a full-time work schedule for the duration of the co-op  

What you need to succeed:  

Demonstrate an interest, willingness, and drive to learn new things; seek to understand concepts, processes, and ideas within area of functional expertise 

Excellent verbal and written communication skills: Clearly exchanges thoughts, ideas, and messages through written, verbal, and non-verbal methods that promote an understanding with the target audience; listens carefully and attentively 

Strong attention to detail and Problem-Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations; demonstrates tackling a problem by using a logical, systematic, or sequential approach 

Ability to organize and prioritize workload: Plans, arranges and/or monitors work to ensure achievement of desired results; establishes a systematic course of action to accomplish objectives 

Demonstrates agility, flexibility, and a willingness to modify one’s approach to achieve desired results; responds quickly to changing demands, processes, and updated information 

Collaboration: Works effectively with others to complete a task or achieve a common objective; ability to cooperate in both interpersonal and team relationships to foster enthusiasm and maintain mutual trust, candor, and respect for others.  

What we offer:  

Competitive hourly pay based on education and experience 

A culture based on safety, loyalty, integrity, and respect. 

Hands-on engineering experience in large-scale industrial operations 

Mentorship from experienced manufacturing engineers 

Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities  

Exposure to a global organization where Safety, Sustainability, and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work. 

Smurfit Westrock is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating and maintaining a diverse workforce: Minorities/Females/ Disabled/Veterans.