Research and Development Product Development Internship (39256) presso McCain Foods USA, Inc.

Position Title: R&D Intern - Summer 2026 - Appleton

Position Type: Temporary - Full-Time ​

Grade: Grade 01 

Requisition ID: 39256 

Research and Development Product Development Internship.

Appleton, Wisconsin

In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.

About the role.

We are looking for a Product Development Intern to join us for the summer starting in May 2026. This role will be part of the Appetizer Product Development Team and will allow you to participate in various stages of the product development process. You will be exposed to different product types and formats and have a chance to get creative while designing new products.

This position will be based in our Appleton, Wisconsin location.

What you’ll be doing.

• Assist with innovation, trials, and ongoing product improvement activities within the laboratory.
• Collaborate with various teams within the facility and department and facilitate pilot runs.
• Ensure smooth coordination between the pilot facility’s operational needs and ongoing product trials.
• Create and test product formulations at benchtop and lab scale to create new products or reformulate existing products
• Setting up product cuttings and sensory evaluations
• Pilot line and factory testing to assess the scalability of benchtop formulations
• Testing and validating product attributes and shelf life
• Collecting data and reporting on each testing phase in the development process

What you’ll need to be successful.

• College Sophomore/Junior majoring in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Agriculture or a closely related discipline
• Laboratory experience
• A passion for learning
• A love of food!
• Ability to effectively manage tight timelines and prioritize tasks in an agile environment; flexibly handling additional tasks as assigned.
• Self-starting personality - you are highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented.
• You communicate with honesty and kindness and can build trusting relationships.
• You have exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and research skills.
• High proficiency with standard MS applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• A valid driver’s license, comfortable flying/driving long distances
• Occasionally requires substantial physical effort and working in awkward positions

About the team.

The Intern will be part of our Global Research & Development team. The team designs and develops exciting new products in the appetizer space for retail and food service customers.

About McCain.

Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.

Leadership principles.

At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

The McCain experience.

We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we’re better together.

Compensation Package: $23.00-$26.00 USD hourly wage equivalent,  paid as a non-exempt salary.

The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs.

Benefits: At McCain, we’re on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well-being at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person’s needs are unique and ensure our benefits & well-being programs reflect that. Due to the duration of this role, you will not be eligible for traditional benefits through our programs. McCain's early careers programming offers a multitude of learning experiences aimed at advancing your career in the future.

Your well-being matters to us, and we’re here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work — and at home.

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know  and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions. 

Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. You can understand how your personal information is being handled here.

Job Family: Research & Development      
Division: Global Research and Development 
Department: ​Appetizers North America ​
Location(s): US - United States of America : Wisconsin : Appleton
US - United States of America : Arizona : Phoenix
US - United States of America : California : Colton
US - United States of America : California : Los Angeles
US - United States of America : California : Palo Alto
US - United States of America : California : San Francisco
US - United States of America : Colorado : Denver
US - United States of America : Florida : Orlando
US - United States of America : Florida : Tampa
US - United States of America : Georgia : Atlanta
US - United States of America : Idaho : Boise
US - United States of America : Idaho : Burley
US - United States of America : Idaho : Fruitland
US - United States of America : Idaho : Nampa
US - United States of America : Illinois : Chicago
US - United States of America : Illinois : Lisle
US - United States of America : Illinois : Oakbrook Terrace
US - United States of America : Indiana : Indianapolis
US - United States of America : Kansas : Kansas City
US - United States of America : Kentucky : Louisville
US - United States of America : Maine : Easton
US - United States of America : Maine : Presque Isle
US - United States of America : Maryland : Baltimore
US - United States of America : Massachusetts : Boston
US - United States of America : Michigan : Armada
US - United States of America : Michigan : Brownstown
US - United States of America : Michigan : Detroit
US - United States of America : Michigan : Highland Park
US - United States of America : Michigan : Imlay City
US - United States of America : Michigan : Livonia
US - United States of America : Michigan : Newark
US - United States of America : Michigan : Port Huron
US - United States of America : Michigan : Sterling Heights
US - United States of America : Michigan : Warren
US - United States of America : Minnesota : Minneapolis
US - United States of America : Missouri : Saint Louis
US - United States of America : Nebraska : Grand Island
US - United States of America : Nebraska : Lincoln
US - United States of America : Nebraska : Omaha
US - United States of America : New Jersey : Lodi
US - United States of America : New York : New York
US - United States of America : North Carolina : Charlotte
US - United States of America : Ohio : Cleveland
US - United States of America : Ohio : Columbus
US - United States of America : Ohio : Hamilton
US - United States of America : Oregon : Portland
US - United States of America : Other : Reference job description
US - United States of America : Pennsylvania : Philadelphia
US - United States of America : Pennsylvania : Pittsburgh
US - United States of America : Tennessee : Memphis
US - United States of America : Tennessee : Nashville
US - United States of America : Texas : Dallas
US - United States of America : Texas : Fort Worth
US - United States of America : Texas : Houston
US - United States of America : Virginia : Virginia Beach
US - United States of America : Washington : Othello
US - United States of America : Washington : Seattle
US - United States of America : Wisconsin : Fort Atkinson
US - United States of America : Wisconsin : Milwaukee
US - United States of America : Wisconsin : Plover
US - United States of America : Wisconsin : Rice Lake
US - United States of America : Wisconsin : Wisconsin Rapids 

Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.