Project Engineering Co-op

Interested in a career that matters?

Ready to turn what you’re learning in engineering school into hands-on experience on a major capital project?

Join our Project Engineering team in Franklinton, North Carolina, and work alongside project managers, engineers, contractors, vendors, and site stakeholders in an active manufacturing environment. You’ll gain firsthand exposure to how engineering and design decisions move through procurement and construction and ultimately come to life in the field.

This co-op is designed for a student who wants more than an observational experience. You’ll have opportunities to take ownership of defined activities, solve real project challenges, and contribute to both brownfield and greenfield project work.

As a Project Engineering Co-op, you’ll support the execution of a large, critical capital project while developing practical experience across engineering, equipment procurement, construction, safety, and project coordination.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Support engineering and design coordination by participating in 3D model reviews, reviewing P&ID redlines and equipment documentation, tracking design changes, and helping resolve open engineering questions.
• Contribute to equipment and procurement activities by maintaining engineering records, supporting equipment specifications and procurement, identifying missing information, and coordinating technical actions with vendors and project teams.
• Gain hands-on construction experience by supporting active field activities, participating in construction coordination meetings, and gaining exposure to equipment installation, demolition, crane lifts, and other project activities.
• Help keep projects moving by managing RFIs and submittals, tracking open action items, following up with stakeholders, and supporting coordination across engineering, operations, contractors, vendors, and other partners.
• Build practical safety experience by participating in project safety meetings and field safety walks while learning how projects are executed safely within an operating manufacturing facility.
• Take ownership of meaningful project work, giving you the opportunity to solve problems, build relationships with project stakeholders, and see how engineering decisions translate into construction in the field.

What You'll Need to Be Successful

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to organize your work and follow through on multiple priorities
• Willingness to work in both an office environment and active project/construction areas
• Initiative and a willingness to take ownership of assigned work
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, contractors, vendors, and manufacturing stakeholders

Required Qualifications and Competencies

• Minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Interest in engineering project management, manufacturing operations, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to team objectives.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Sophomore standing or higher at the time of application.
• Ability to arrange your own housing and transportation.

Additional Skills & Interests We Value

It would be a plus if you:

• Are currently in your junior or senior year
• Have previous internship, co-op, manufacturing, construction, or engineering project experience
• Have familiarity with P&IDs, equipment specifications, 3D models, or other engineering drawings
• Have experience with ACC, Bluebeam, or Navisworks Freedom
• Are interested in capital project execution, manufacturing, or project management
• Have strong Excel and general Microsoft Office skills

What We Offer

This co-op provides the opportunity to build practical engineering skills while contributing to real project work. You’ll work directly with experienced project stakeholders and see projects evolve from engineering and design through procurement and construction.

Along the way, you’ll develop experience in areas including capital project execution, project management fundamentals, engineering documentation, equipment procurement, construction and field coordination, contractor and vendor collaboration, manufacturing-site safety, and cross-functional problem solving.

Ways of Working / Working Conditions

• Full-time internship assignment lasting January 2027 through August 2027.
• Located on-site in Franklinton, NC.
• Exposure to manufacturing operations, construction projects, and industrial infrastructure systems.
• Occasional use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering production areas.

Compensation & Benefits

Expected salary: $23/hr

Relevant Information

Program Dates: January 2027 to August 2027 (potentially January through May)

Position Type: Temporary position payrolled through a third-party provider

Application Deadline: November 16, 2026

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore other openings

If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career