Engineering Co-Op - 2025
Job Summary
The Co-Op Student is an entry level production / process engineering position which allows an engineering student, following their second year of formal studies, to gain hands-on experience in the manufacturing setting. A successful Co-Op Student candidate will work three full rotations (fourth optional), each at a different Avient operation associated with a different one of the Avient business segments. In some cases, for later rotations Co-op students may be provided (based on their interest and Avient need) with opportunities to complete one rotation in corporate functions (for example EHS or R&D). The specific assignments are geared to the needs of the plant during that time, as well as the interests of the Co-Op Student – but are developed with a view to developing leadership competencies and process engineering capabilities. Students will be provided with specific mentors on project activity and will receive coaching from senior manufacturing personnel. Orientation training is provided at the start of the 1st and 2nd work semesters and students will report out on their activity each semester to representatives of PolyOne’s senior manufacturing management including EVP, Manufacturing and HR director(s). Networking opportunities within the Avient organization are a critical program component.
Essential Functions
- To support the vision, mission and guiding principles of the company.
- Observe all applicable Safety, Health, and Environmental rules and guidelines. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment is required.
- Adhere to appropriate company operating procedures, benefit rules, employment policies, and safety policies.
- Carry out process engineering related project activity – specific projects will be dependent on operation needs and student desired focus areas.
- Students will both work projects independently (with mentorship) and as part of functional teams at the operation. Examples of historical project activity include:
- Operation productivity enhancement:
- Rate improvement
- Changeover reduction
- Yield improvement – 1st pass quality improvement
- Waste (lean) elimination
- Equipment reliability related activity (downtime reduction)
- Small capital project work (specification of requirements, capital request submission including ROI justification, oversight of install and commissioning)
- Resolving EHS related issues
- Resolving quality or customer complaint issues
- Other duties as assigned
Education and Experience
Pursuing Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field.
1+ years of experience preferred (can include strong internship experience)
Some awareness of LSS and lean manufacturing will be considered an asset
Additional Qualifications
Willingness and ability to travel.
Must be able to read/comprehend written and oral instructions in English; read and comprehend safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals and product recipes/material identifications.
Must have ability to reason and develop critical thinking skills
Competencies
Each position at Avient focuses on eight Core Competencies as a Leader of Self. Additionally, management positions focus on Leadership Competencies as a Leader of Others and/or a Leader of the Business. These competencies are designed to drive behavior that will ultimately help our associates excel at their current roles, while supporting individual and career development.
Physical Demands
Must have manual dexterity sufficient to operate a wide variety of small hand tools, scales, spatula, barrel cart, hand trucks, fork lift, utility knife, and mixer/blender machinery and computer equipment.
Significant amounts of time on operations plant floor will require, extended periods of standing and walking. Operations can be hot environments.
Environmental, Health, Safety, & Security (EHS&S) Requirements
Avient integrates EHS&S into all aspects of our operations. Each position at Avient is responsible for complying with all applicable EHS&S requirements. Additionally, employees and management are responsible for reporting all EHS&S incidents immediately to ensure we keep EHS&S a priority within the organization.
Security includes physical security and cyber security.
Who We Are
Avient Corporation provides specialized and sustainable material solutions that transform customer challenges into opportunities, bringing new products to life for a better world. Examples include:
- Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™, enables unmatched levels of performance and protection for end-use applications, including ballistic personal protection, marine and sustainable infrastructure and outdoor sports
- Unique technologies that improve the recyclability of products and enable recycled content to be incorporated, thus advancing a more circular economy
- Light-weighting solutions that replace heavier traditional materials like metal, glass and wood, which can improve fuel efficiency in all modes of transportation and reduce carbon footprint
- Sustainable infrastructure solutions that increase energy efficiency, renewable energy, natural resource conservation and fiber optic / 5G network accessibility
Avient employs approximately 10,000 associates and is certified ACC Responsible Care®, a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and certified Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.avient.com.
Why Avient
Avient Corporation is a world-class sustainable organization built on innovation, collaboration, and employee development. We are committed to providing a supportive and dynamic work environment where our diverse associates can grow and succeed, as well positively impacting our planet and the communities we serve. Our Great Place to Work culture, values, and benefits make Avient an employer of choice for top talent.
At Avient, we believe diversity of ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person’s qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.
Avient Corporation is a drug free workplace. Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran’s status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law.