Mechanical Engineer CO OP Counce Mill Fall 2026 - Spring 2027

People Customer's Trust

At Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), we think of ourselves as more than a box manufacturer. We are an ideas and solutions company. We seek to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. It just happens to be that corrugated products are our area of expertise. At PCA, you’ll find the best people in the industry operating in a “golden rule” culture. We actively promote mutually rewarding relationships with each other and our customers by advocating respect for every individual, ethical and fair practices, and the highest standards in what we say and do.

About the Role

We are seeking mechanical engineers for co-op positions in Project Engineering (Capital Projects) or Reliability (Maintenance).

Responsibilities

• Work on various Capital projects throughout the mill.
• Learn the project process starting from the funding request through completion of the job.
• Skills learned or improved will be planning/estimating, introduction to engineering design, contractor field oversight, AutoCAD, PCA’s CMMS program called TRIDENT, Microsoft Office, working with multi-discipline teams, etc.
• As a reliability co-op you will be mentored by Area Reliability Engineers as a resource on daily troubleshooting issues.
• Work on special project assignments with Reliability Engineers.
• Focus on predictive and preventive maintenance techniques to improve equipment reliability.
• Examples are lubrication techniques, optical alignment and vibration analysis.
• Learn best practice maintenance and assist in root cause failure analysis process to resolve equipment failures.
• Have the opportunity to work a variety of equipment and have the to explore a wide range of working environments.
• Second and third term students will be assigned additional job duties to further their development.

Requirements

• 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 and majoring in Mechanical Engineering or a related field and have completed the freshman year.
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 is required and must be a permanent U.S. resident.

Qualifications

• Basic Qualifications
• Preferred: Students that sign up for interviews through University during the Career Fairs and On-Campus Interview days will be given first consideration.

Benefits

• Paid Holidays.
• Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision – and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
• Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.

Pay

• Starting salary for position: $26-$30 per hour