PepsiCo R&D Co-Op Program At PepsiCo, you'll find the opportunity to grow your career, make an impact, and help shape what's next. As one of the world's leading food and beverage companies, our beloved brandsincluding Gatorade, Lay's, and Quakerhelp create smiles with every sip and bite. Behind our products is a connected system that starts with how we source and grow ingredients alongside farmers and extends to how we make, move, and deliver products while driving positive impact for our business and communities. At the heart of PepsiCo are our people: professionals who bring curiosity, drive, and fresh thinking, working together to turn ideas into action. Across functions, teams, and markets, we collaborate to solve challenges, unlock new opportunities, and create meaningful impact for our consumers, customers, and communities. With opportunities to grow, belong, and smile, PepsiCo offers more than a place to build your careerit offers the chance to help create what's next.
Responsibilities:
At PepsiCo we place R&D hires primarily in the three headquarter locations: Plano, TX; Purchase/Valhalla, NY & Chicago IL. In this position you will contribute to channels specific project initiatives, such as package development and testing, results evaluation, conducting plant trials, developing pallet patterns, and coordinating with manufacturing plants and suppliers. Utilize critical thinking skills to plan and coordinate individual activities that contribute to project results: Identification of various packaging materials through individual understanding of necessary physical properties and applications, and coordination with vendors Coordinate and perform independent and team experiments in laboratory and manufacturing plants Presentation of project results and findings to leadership upon completion of internship Some travel to headquarters and manufacturing plants would be required (15-20%) For modeling and simulation team co-op, utilize Finite Element Analysis and Data Analytics to support packaging development for cross-functional teams to early screen beverage packaging design, conduct packaging light-weighting, or troubleshoot design issues Goal of Program: Enhance technical understanding of core packaging materials with exposure to industry relevant challenges Expand critical problem solving and decision make skills through development and execution of qualification plans Improve communication skills with interaction of cross-functional teams and leadership alignment Better understanding of consumer goods organization For modeling and simulation team co-op, enhance technical understanding of how modeling and simulation can help de-risk packaging development before physical trial with exposure to industry-relevant challenges Example Projects: Development & qualification of new offerings for specific customers (Target, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club) Assessment of internal and external distribution systems of channels packaging Conduct bottle light-weighting evaluation by using stretch blow molding simulation and performance evaluation General Packaging team Co-op Currently pursuing a degree in: Packaging (other related majors will be considered)
Course Requirements:
Student must have completed 300 level courses (or equivalent based on specific school course guidelines) at minimum prior to beginning co-op Basic knowledge of packaging materials, package manufacturing processes, and distribution systems Capable of working in both individual and team settings Seeking highly energetic, creative, and motivated individuals Excellent communication and organizational skills Modeling and Simulation team
Co-op Level: Advanced Junior, Senior, Graduate Student (all non-graduating)
Major: Mechanical Engineering or similar
Course Requirements:
Student must have completed 300 level courses (or equivalent based on specific school course guidelines) at minimum prior to beginning co-op Basic knowledge of Finite Element Analysis and Computer-Aided Design (prefer candidates with experience in Abaqus, ANSYS, SolidWorks, CATIA etc) Strong programming skills (preferably Python) will be highly valued.
Minimum Qualifications:
Each candidate is expected to: Graduate with bachelor's degree within one (1) year of coop completion.
Compensation:
The expected compensation hourly pay ranges for hires into our 2027 campus intern openings is $21.09 - $34.00 hourly. Role, degree discipline, degree level, and location are part of the process when determining actual starting salary for positions. Hourly pay for our campus hires is pre-determined and non-negotiable. We love to convert our interns to full-time opportunities! Our full-time positions have a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.
EEO Statement:
Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age
