Mechanical Engineer CO OP Counce Mill Fall

Co‑op Mechanical Engineer (3 Openings)

This position is a 3‑rotating term co‑op program. There are three separate co‑ops:

• 1 Project Mechanical Engineering co‑op starting in Fall 2026.
• 1 Project Mechanical Engineering co‑op starting in Spring 2027.
• 1 Reliability Mechanical Engineering co‑op starting in Fall 2026.

You will be immersed in a high‑energy, innovative culture – doing meaningful work, managing projects, and making decisions from the moment you walk into the Mill. Your daily interactions with PCA personnel in Engineering and Operations will sharpen your communication skills and strengthen your leadership qualities.

You will work on various Capital projects throughout the mill. Each semester will involve different projects due to mill outage time frames. You will learn the project process from funding request through completion. Skills you develop include planning/estimating, engineering design, contractor field oversight, AutoCAD, PCA’s CMMS program called TRIDENT, Microsoft Office, and working with multi‑discipline teams.

You will be immersed in a high‑energy, innovative culture – doing meaningful work, managing projects, and making decisions from the moment you walk into the Mill. Your daily interactions with PCA personnel in Maintenance and Operations will sharpen your communication skills and strengthen your leadership qualities.

You will be mentored by Area Reliability Engineers, work on special project assignments, and develop communication skills.

You will focus on predictive and preventive maintenance techniques to improve equipment reliability. Examples include lubrication techniques, optical alignment, and vibration analysis. You will learn best‑practice maintenance and assist in root‑cause failure analysis to resolve equipment failures.

You will have the opportunity to work with a variety of equipment across a wide range of working environments. Second and third‑term students will be assigned additional job duties to further their development.

• Must be currently enrolled at Mississippi State University, The University of Mississippi, Auburn University, University of Alabama, University of Maine, University of Cincinnati, University of North Carolina State, Texas A&M University, University of Miami Ohio, Tennessee Technology University, or any University of TN.
• Majoring in Mechanical Engineering or a related field and have completed the freshman year.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 and be a permanent U.S. resident.

Preferred:
Students who sign up for interviews through University during Career Fairs and On‑Campus Interview days will be given first consideration.

• Starting salary for position: $26‑$30 per hour.
• Paid holidays.
• Within the first 30 days, employees (and their dependents) are eligible to enroll in medical, dental, and vision coverage, and automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
• Upon hire, employees are automatically enrolled in the 401(k) plan. The plan offers 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.