Process Engineer Internship - Spring Semester

Alterra is committed to environmental sustainability. Every day, we put our knowledge to work for positive change, and now you can too!

What if all plastics were recycled? Today, less than 10% are. The other 90% are either mismanaged and buried in landfills, sent to incinerators, or end up in our environment as litter polluting our land, rivers, and oceans. But imagine if all plastics could be recycled. At Alterra, we convert plastics back into their original building blocks to produce new plastics and other valuable products. We’re disrupting the traditional thinking that used plastic should be discarded and helping people see that plastics are valuable and designed to become new again. That’s Alterra…solving plastic pollution through infinitely renewed plastics.

We are searching for a passionate Chemical Engineer Co-op/Intern to join the Alterra mission to create a cleaner planet for today and tomorrow. The role will be fulltime and physically located in Akron, OH for the Spring 2025 semester.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the design, development, and optimization of chemical processes.
• Support the preparation of process documentation, including flow diagrams, process descriptions, and safety protocols.
• Conduct research and analysis to support process improvements and troubleshooting.
• Collect and analyze data from production processes to identify areas for enhancement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Technology, Engineering, and Operations.
• Participate in process simulations and modeling activities.
• Assist in the implementation of process control strategies and best practices.
• Maintain a safe and organized work environment, adhering to company safety standards and procedures.
  
  

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Sophomore (by credit hour) or above
• Understanding of chemical engineering principles and concepts.
• Experience with process simulation software (e.g., ChemCAD, Aspen Plus, HYSYS) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to safety and quality.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
  
  

Benefits

• Competitive hourly pay, dependent on student standing and previous internship/co-op experience.
• Gain hands-on experience in a real-world engineering environment.
• Opportunity to work on impactful projects and contribute to process improvements.
• Mentorship from experienced engineers and industry professionals.
  
  

Alterra is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status.