Product Engineer Intern; Merchandising

Staples is business-to-business. You’re what binds us together.

We’re searching for you: fresh talent with new ideas, innovation, passion, and drive to bring to Staples. We have student and graduate opportunities where you’ll help the Staples, Inc. organization be more successful and productive while building a purposeful career. Whether you are looking for a summer internship, co‑op, or an entry‑level role, we’ll help you develop the technical and soft skills you need to thrive in the future.

The Product Engineer Intern (Merchandising) will support the Staples Brands Group Product Engineering team in the development, testing, and validation of private brand products. This role provides hands‑on exposure to real products in development and production, working closely with Product Engineers and cross‑functional partners to support engineering analysis, testing, and supplier collaboration. The intern will contribute to active product programs and gain experience in product development, custom testing, and manufacturing support within a consumer products environment.

Target

Start Date:

June 1, 2026 – August 14, 2026 (11‑week program)

• Assist with evaluation of materials, construction methods, and manufacturability considerations.
• Participate in design reviews and provide engineering input related to performance, cost, and quality.
• Support Product Engineers in translating product requirements into engineering specifications, drawings, and bills of materials (BOMs).

• Design and build custom test fixtures (physical or conceptual) to enable repeatable and reliable product testing.
• Develop and document test plans for custom or nonstandard products, including test methods, acceptance criteria, and sample requirements.
• Execute testing per defined test plans and assist with collecting, organizing, and analyzing test data.

• Assist Product Engineers in reviewing supplier documentation such as control plans, work instructions, and process flows.
• Support root‑cause analysis and corrective action activities for quality or performance issues under guidance.
• Gain exposure to global sourcing and supplier manufacturing processes supporting Staples’ private brand products.

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and test data.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suites.

• Coursework or experience in product design, materials, manufacturing processes, or quality engineering.
• Exposure to CAD tools or basic fixture design.
• Knowledge of design for 3D printing and use of 3D printers.
• Skills in communicating technical subjects to non‑technical cross‑functional partners.

• Through this internship, the Product Engineer Intern will:
• Gain hands‑on experience supporting real, customer‑facing products in development and production.
• Build skills within practical application of engineering design, Six Sigma, DFM/DFA, and learn “How It’s Made” across many different manufacturing techniques.
• Learn how Product Engineering partners with Category, Sourcing, Quality, and Brand teams in a large consumer products organization.