Chemical Engineering Co-Op Fall 2026

PCA•Gladstone, VA

20h•$25 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility. People • Customers • Trust People • Customers • Trust We are seeking resumes for Chemical Engineering Co-ops (Multiple Openings for Fall 2026) at our Gladstone, VA. Paper Mill. Responsible for providing process optimization and engineering support for the mill, which will include but not be limited to, compliance process coordination, lean projects, quality and product safety, and analytical and systems support. Develops and maintains methods for tracking and reducing operational costs. Coordinate the efforts of our outside resources to improve our operation by filtering and utilizing appropriate information. Conducts data analysis projects and uses data to make business decisions. Assignments may include some work at higher levels for training and development purposes. Successful candidates should have knowledge of pulp & paper making, waste-water treatment, and recovery operations. Interest/aptitude in controls.

Requirements

Must be a student in good standing with the University, currently enrolled majoring in Chemical Engineering or equivalent applicable engineering program.
The student will have either completed the Freshman year or will have completed the Freshman year when co-op begins and express interest in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing as a career.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required
you must pass a drug screen
you must be eligible to work in the US full-time
Ability to be able to work well under pressure and within time constraints, multi-task, and build sound relationships with both internal and external customers.
Ability to exhibit excellent communication, analytical, organizational, and computer skills.
Capable of independently making sound decisions through creative problem-solving, ambiguity, and change
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple requests simultaneously.
Ability to read and understand technical correspondence, memos, instructions, and reports.

Nice To Haves

knowledge of pulp & paper making
waste-water treatment
recovery operations
Interest/aptitude in controls

Responsibilities

providing process optimization and engineering support for the mill
compliance process coordination
lean projects
quality and product safety
analytical and systems support
Develops and maintains methods for tracking and reducing operational costs
Coordinate the efforts of our outside resources to improve our operation by filtering and utilizing appropriate information
Conducts data analysis projects and uses data to make business decisions

Benefits

Salary Range: $30.00 hr. Seniors $29.00 hr. Juniors $27.00 hr. Sophomores $25.00 hr. Freshmen
$1000.00 Monthly Housing Stipend
1.5 pay over 40 hours in a week
Reimbursement of Relocation to and from co-op assignment
Medical Insurance if eligible
401k with company matching
Retirement Savings Plan
Educational Assistance Program
11 paid holidays
Vacation Time
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)