R&D Packaging and Materials Intern/ Co-op

Overview

As an R&D Packaging and Materials Intern/ Co-op, you will work alongside experienced engineers and scientists to support research, development, testing, and optimization of packaging formats and materials. You will contribute to projects that improve performance, sustainability, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness of packaging solutions. This role provides hands-on learning and exposure to cross-functional teams including suppliers, manufacturing, quality, and product development.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties  

• Contribute to the research and development of packaging designs, materials, and systems, supporting optimization of performance, cost, sustainability, and manufacturability.
• Support packaging development projects from concept through testing and validation, with packaging becoming an increasingly strategic focus in the overall product development process.
• Assist with development activities related to new and upcoming packaging regulations, including research on compliance requirements and integration of regulatory considerations into packaging designs and specifications.
• Create and maintain databases for packaging materials and specifications, ensuring accurate, up-to-date information for cross-functional teams and future reference.
• Conduct product and material research, including benchmarking, evaluation of new substrates, materials screening, and optimization of packaging solutions.
• Develop and update Quality Work Instructions (QWIs), packaging specifications, and technical documentation to support consistent execution of tests, trials, and production processes.
• Participate in lab and pilot trials, including setup, execution, data collection, and analysis to help validate packaging performance and support development decisions.
• Assist with investigations related to packaging performance issues, quality deviations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions — coordinating with R&D and quality teams as needed.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., R&D, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and suppliers) to support project execution, communicate findings, and integrate feedback into packaging solutions.
• Support documentation of test results, preparation of technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for packaging improvements or next steps.

Qualifications

Skills & Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in (or recently graduated from) a bachelor’s or master’s program in Packaging Science, Materials Science or a related field.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with TOPS (Packaging Design and Pallet Layout Software) and CAD tools (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and collaborate in cross-disciplinary environments.
• Attention to detail and ability to document technical work clearly.
• Ability to work in a fast moving and changing environment

Work Environment

May work in an office environment but may frequently be required to perform job duties in the R&D laboratory and in production areas. Normal manufacturing conditions requiring safety observation at all times.

Starting pay range is $20-$24 per hour.

More About Filtration Group

Filtration Group is on a mission to make the world safer, healthier and more productive. With a passionate workforce, global footprint and world class engineering and manufacturing capabilities, we are driving innovation and developing solutions across a broad spectrum of applications in the fast-growing and rapidly-evolving global filtration industry. We are committed to maintaining an entrepreneurial culture built on a foundation of trust and in which our leaders exhibit a strong bias for action.   

The Company began in 2009 and has rapidly grown organically and through a thoughtful acquisition strategy to be a global leader in the highly attractive filtration industry. Filtration Group has the broadest portfolio of solutions in the industry and has had a particular focus on building a leading platform of solutions focused on the Life Sciences and Indoor Air Quality end markets which are rapidly growing in the current market environment. Filtration Group produces mission critical products with high replacement rates.  Over 80 percent of the Company’s revenue comes from replacement / consumable products, many of which are specified into customer’s products or processes.  With revenues over $2 billion, Filtration Group is consistently recognized as the fastest growing and one of the largest filtration businesses in the world and has a global footprint of 141 facilities in 28 countries. Filtration Group has over 10,000 employees who are united in their Mission to make the world safer, healthier and more productive.

Salary : $2 - $24