Packaging Engineer Intern​/Co-Op

Position: Packaging Engineer Intern/Co-Op (176250)

Requisition
176250
-Posted
09/21/2026

- Supply Chain/Manufacturing

- United States

- Kansas

- Topeka

- Hill's Pet Nutrition

- No Travel

- Hybrid

No Relocation Assistance Offered
Job Number#176250 - Topeka, Kansas, United States

Who We Are
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!
Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.
Position Summary

The Packaging Engineering Intern/Co-op will support the development, qualification, and implementation of packaging solutions for pet food products at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. This role partners closely with cross-functional teams to deliver consumer‑centric packaging that meets performance, quality, cost, and manufacturability requirements.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Assist packaging engineers in driving packaging projects to closure from concept through commercialization. Contribute to project documentation, timelines, and progress updates.

Support LCA (Life cycle assessment) on packaging solutions and provide recommendations.

Cross‑functional collaboration:
Work with Product Development, Marketing,Design, Supply Chain, and other functional groups to identify and develop packaging technologies.

Help ensure solutions meet key attributes such as cost targets, consumer usage/functionality, manufacturability, and compatibility of materials with product formulations.

Technical communication and reporting

Prepare and present clear technical summaries, packaging concepts, test results, and business impact to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Develop written reports, slide presentations, and supporting documentation.

Packaging development, scale‑up, and technology transfer

Support packaging development through pilot and manufacturing scale‑up.

Partner with Quality, Product Development, and manufacturing site teams to:
Ensure packaging equipment/material system specifications, functionality, and design are appropriate for intended use.

Confirm that packaging maintains product integrity and visual appeal under various shipping, handling, and display conditions.

Testing, analysis, and recommendations

Monitor and/or conduct package testing (e.g., stability, transit, drop, compression, sealing, etc.).

Analyze test data and prepare reports including conclusions and recommendations for design or process changes.

Case/cube information, cost estimates, and savings estimates

Laboratory and equipment understanding

Develop a working knowledge of Packaging Laboratory test equipment and capabilities.

Learn and apply standard operating procedures for equipment use and data collection.

Education & Qualifications

Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program in:

Or a closely related technical field

Minimum GPA

3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)

Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills

Ability to work effectively in a cross‑functional, team‑oriented environment

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); familiarity with CAD or packaging‑related software is a plus

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $26.00 - $38.00 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit‑sharing, and long‑term incentives for Executive‑level roles.

Benefits:
Salaried employees enjoy a…