Title:  Packaging Engineer R&D Intern 2026

Your Internship:

Gain real experience. Learn from the best. See how your work matters. 

Our internships are designed to prepare you for your career journey, not a final destination. When you join our team, you are welcomed into a community committed to providing you with a safe environment to learn, grow and cultivate your skills. With our expansive learning resources, our well-respected leaders, and our carefully curated development courses, you will be equipped to confidently solve tomorrow's global issues. And, truthfully, our future relies on you. Your innovative minds, your intentional collaboration, and your sincere desire to nourish the world. Your work may be local, but at Cargill, your impact will be global. Join our community to cultivate your curiosity, develop meaningful relationships and propel your career. 

Food Innovation Research and Development Internship: Packaging Engineer

In this internship you will have the opportunity to work in the Food Innovation team that works across the food segments.  Food Innovation is one of Cargill’s corporate research and development groups. This is a growing area within Cargill, and impacts the full range of Cargill's food and ingredient offerings. Our scope includes projects that provide customer solutions from conception through commercialization at both Cargill’s and partner operating facilities. We have a diverse range of talents in innovation with expertise in sweetners, starches, cocoa and chocolate, oils, plant and animal proteins, packaging engineering, and collaboration and external partnerships.

The Food Innovation group at Cargill will provide students with either a bachelor’s or current graduate student with a packaging engineering background, the opportunity to apply knowledge in a commercial setting. The internship program is designed to provide students with appropriate projects that bring value to Cargill. 

We are looking for packaging engineers that are enthusiastic about the food industry and tackling packaging for product commercialization, researching new packaging materials or technologies, and collaborating across Cargill.

Your Work:

You will be assigned to one or two projects that will be substantive in nature.  You will be the primary technical contributor for work on the project, with leadership support from Food Innovation Research and Development team. Interns will have the opportunity to:

• Gain immediate hands-on work experience in one of the world’s largest agribusiness companies.
• Receive periodic and candid feedback on job performance.

Our Programming:

• With comprehensive learning resources at your disposal, you can take your learning in any direction. 

• As employees, interns receive access to volunteer and community outreach opportunities and paid time off for volunteer activities. 

• Throughout the internship, interns and co-ops are invited to participate in events that will give exposure to leadership, provide development opportunities, and offer the ability to network with cross-functional interns/co-ops across the U.S. 

Internship Details:

• Internships are typically 12 weeks in duration. 
• Interns are paid hourly for time worked. 
• Interns are responsible for transportation to and from work. 
• Interns may have the opportunity to travel during their term. 

Our Benefits:

No matter who you are or where you are, we have resources to meet your needs. As an intern, you’ll have access to a wide variety of programs to support you and help you succeed. Eligible programs and incentives include:   

• Paid time off

• Mental Health and Wellbeing program 

• Digital Learning Library 

• Housing and Relocation Assistance for those that qualify  

Compensation:

The expected hourly rate for this position is $25.00-$27.00. Compensation decisions are dependent on grad date and eligibility for full-time employment. 

Our Network:

Your development is our priority. With our outstanding global network, you will establish relationships, acquire mentors, and build your professional contacts. Our program encourages and orchestrates networking opportunities that will benefit you now and in your future career. During the internship, you will also receive consistent support from university recruiting staff, mentors, colleagues, and your supervisor. 

Our Vibrant Community:

At Cargill, you will be a part of our vibrant global community with a culture that celebrates diversity. This is a reflection of the clients we serve and generates an intellectually diverse set of employees. Business Resource Groups (BRGs) help us embrace our diversity, make our culture more inclusive and enhance our employees’ outstanding talents and perspectives to benefit our organization and employees. 

Our U.S. Business Resource Groups include:  

Asian Alliance Network, Cargill Young Professionals Network, Cargill Ability Network (iCAN), Cargill Ebony Council, Indigenous Peoples Network (IPN), Hispanic-Latino Council, Cargill Pride Network, Veterans & Military Support Network, and Cargill Women’s Network. 

Job Location:

• Cargill Innovation Center, Wichita, KS

• Combination of Labs, Pilot Plants, Plant and office settings, must be open to working in these types of settings 

• Travel to production plants approximately 15% or less 

Required Qualifications:

• Right to work in the U.S. that is not based solely on possession of a student visa or a visa sponsored by a third-party employer 
• Currently pursing a Bachelors or Masters of Science in packaging engineering or related field, graduating between December 2026 and May 2027
• Able to complete a 12-week internship in the summer (May/June - August 2026) 
• Candidates must be geographically flexible and willing to relocate for an internship opportunity in Wichita, Kansas
• Proven ability to work optimally with individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds and cultures 
• Must possess a high degree of initiative and resourcefulness in completing work with limited guidance 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Food Science knowledge