Project Engineer Co-Op

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

PCA is seeking a Project Engineer Co-Op at our mill in Tomahawk, WI. This is an opportunity to complete a 9-month term from January-August 2026 or May-December 2026. You will be immersed with a variety of Capital & Expense funded projects which involve meaningful work, project management, and decision making from the moment you walk into the Mill. Each semester will be a unique challenge due to mill outage timeframes, department shutdowns, and independent project schedules. You will learn the project management process listed below:

• Project Initiation: define problem, scope, constraints, etc.
• Project Planning: detail costs and schedule, submit for approval
• Project Execution: manage material & labor contracts, oversee that construction meets project planning and is performed safely
• Project Closure: monitor and document project details

Skills learned or improved are as follows: planning/estimating, introduction to engineering design, contractor field oversight, AutoCAD design, PCA specific programs for equipment/operational details, Microsoft Office, working with multi-discipline teams, etc. Your daily interactions with PCA personnel in Engineering, Maintenance, and Operations will sharpen your communication skills and strengthen your leadership qualities. The successful candidate will possess the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• 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 read and understand technical correspondence, memos, instructions, and reports.

Basic Qualifications: Working towards bachelor’s degree in civil or mechanical engineering. Experience using Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Auto Cad and Project. Must be willing to work overtime, nights and weekends when needed. Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Must possess a valid driver's license. Campus Visits: Miami University STEM Career & Internship Fair: Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 12-4pm University of Minnesota-Duluth STEM Fest: Thursday, September 11, 2025, 10:00am-2:00pm UW-Madison Engineering & STEM Fair: Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 11:00am-5:00pm Michigan Technological University Career Fair: Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 11:00am-4:00pm Western Michigan University Engineering Expo: Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 4:30-6:30pm & Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 12-3:30pm UW-Platteville Career Fair: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 3-6pm & Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 9am-12pm University of Maine Info Session: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 5pm UW-Stevens Point PS & ChE Career Fair: Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 4-7pm

All qualified applicants must apply at Careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.