Package and Materials Evaluation Co-op

Sustainable, corrugated packaging is at the forefront of the consumer experience, and a Co-op at PCA’s brand new Research and Innovation Center in the northwest suburbs of Chicago would be ideal for any student interested in a deep understanding of paper-based packaging. Over the course of a 6–8-month Co-op, students will develop broad technical knowledge about this fundamental packaging material through hands-on testing and evaluation, including box compression and ISTA testing, Amazon certifications, ECTs and board analysis, Hazmat and BMC validation, and the whole gamut of paper testing. Our students also get exposure to corrugated design, visit box manufacturing facilities, and interact with a diverse array of customers. Given its key function in our supply chains, understanding corrugated packaging will help you wherever your career path takes you.

We are currently seeking Co-ops for January-August and May-December 2027. This paid position supports a materials, package testing, and optimization team, providing information to address customer support requests, develop fundamental product knowledge, improve product performance, and increase customer satisfaction. The average student works on a variety of projects, reporting results that often end up in the hands of some of the world’s largest brand owners—potential future employers. Many students also do independent research projects.

We are a small, dedicated team with large goals and a strong, established reputation. We support PCA facilities across the United States, including six containerboard mills, over 80 packaging manufacturing locations, and multiple design centers, as well as thousands of customers. We work within a large network solving unique and interesting problems to ensure that all the products our customers ship to homes and stores arrive safe and sound. We seek to set the standard in helping our customers — large and small — safely package, transport, and display products of all kinds.

During their time with us, our students typically:
1. Learn proficient, correct, and accurate use of paper, board, and packaging testing equipment for materials and package evaluation.
2. Engage daily in materials and package testing, interacting with a range of internal and external customers to provide clear and effective analysis, evaluation, and communication of test data.
3. Work on self-directed projects that expand the boundaries of industry knowledge on corrugated materials, in a lab with a long history of publications and successful scientific developments.
The Package and Materials Evaluation Co-op requires good communication skills and a willingness to work hard, with dedication, focus, and attention to detail. Verbal and written communication with internal and external customers plays a vital role in any technical endeavor. The student must be self-motivated and proactive, with good interpersonal skills, a willingness to admit and correct errors, and a desire to learn.