Fall 2027 Co-op - Process Engineer

About the Role

As a Process Engineer Co-op at KDP in our Knoxville, TN site, you will gain hands-on experience supporting manufacturing operations and process improvement. You will work alongside the operations teams to analyze processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and support projects that improve safety, quality, efficiency, and overall performance. This role is aligned to the Coffee Operating Unit.

Responsibilities

• Gain experience working cross-functionally with others to develop the best solutions to problems and drive process improvements.
• Learn the overall process of preparing coffee to be packaged, including roasting, grinding, degassing, and other key processes.
• Analyze process and production data to identify trends, opportunities for improvement, and potential solutions to improve overall performance.
• Create and present project updates and presentations that clearly communicate findings, progress, recommendations, and results.
• Use structured problem-solving, 5 why, fishbone, etc. to drive to root cause on issues.
• Spend time interacting with other interns and operators to build relationships, learn from their experiences, and gain a better understanding of the day-to-day operations within the facility.

Co-op Program Elements

• Engaging and partnering on innovative projects to gain experience in a fast paced, cross functional team environment
• Receive mentor support for your professional development
• Participate in meet & greets and lunch & learns with KDP executives and other organization leaders
• Receive professional development training such as networking, professional skills development and presenting
• Complete a project from start to finish and present it and your takeaways to your team, department, and senior leaders to highlight your project work and impact on the business

Requirements

• Undergraduate currently enrolled in a full time academic program from an accredited college or university studying Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and or Mechanical Engineering.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize requests, and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills including excellent listening, written, and verbal abilities.
• Ability to work cross-functionally, be independently driven, and adapt to changes.
• Data Analysis – Analyze production and process data to identify trends, problems, and opportunities for improvement.
• Problem Solving – Use structured problem-solving methods to identify root causes and develop effective solutions.
• Process Improvement – Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and overall process performance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Work with operators, maintenance, quality, engineering, and leadership to solve problems and implement improvements.
• Communication – Clearly communicate project updates, findings, and recommendations to different levels of the organization.
• Technical Skills – Develop an understanding of coffee roasting, grinding, degassing, packaging, and related manufacturing processes.

Pay & Schedule

• $31/hr
• Paid bi-weekly
• $5,000 sign-on bonus, paid within first 30 days of employment
• Fall 2027 Co-op Program runs from July 12th – December 3rd, 2027
• Full-time; 40 hours per week
• Monday-Friday, 8:00am until 5:00pm
• Onsite in Knoxville, TN