Summer 2027 Mars Global Petcare R&D Product Development Internship

At Mars, we work together to build a better world for people, pets, and the planet. From being a socially responsible business, to investing in our Associates, we're always looking at how we can make tomorrow brighter. 

As an Associate, you are empowered with the freedom and tools to be yourself, to forge your own path, to build relationships across our global community, to discover the right opportunities for you to grow – all with ample support. Here, you have our ongoing commitment to your growth and development as you work across our world-famous brands.  

Start your journey at Mars today! 

Global Pet Nutrition Product Development Internship Experience 

As a Global Pet Nutrition Product Development R&D Intern, you will be responsible for the below: 

• Lead and execute a hands-on research project focused on pet food innovation, ingredient functionality, and product performance.  

• Design and conduct lab and pilot scale experiments to evaluate the impact of formulation, ingredient selection, processing conditions, and physical characteristics on product behavior and consumer-relevant attributes.  

• Collaborate with Product Development, Process Development, Science & Technology, and cross-functional business partners.  

• Develop and evaluate technical hypotheses to explain the mechanisms behind novel pet food technologies, while generating insights to support future innovation, scale-up, and commercialization opportunities. 

• Analyze experimental data and translate findings into meaningful technical recommendations.  

• Support prototype development and evaluation of novel pet food concepts.  

• Conduct literature reviews and technical assessments to support innovation and technology development.  

• Communicate project progress and key learnings through technical reports and presentations.  

• Present project outcomes and recommendations to R&D leadership at the conclusion of the internship. 

What we’re looking for: 

• We are looking for agile, curious, and collaborative students who have a passion for science, innovation, and problem solving.  

• We are looking for candidates that enjoy designing experiments, working in the laboratory, analyzing data, and translating findings into actionable insights. 

• Desired majors include Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Animal Science, Related STEM disciplines 

• Preferred qualifications include coursework or research experience in food processing, food engineering, ingredient functionality, or product development. 

• This opportunity will be in the Franklin, Tennessee area. 

• Eligible candidates will intern the summer prior to their final graduation date. 

• Open to students legally authorized to work in the U.S., without the need for current or future work status authorization or visa sponsorship for employment. 

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of drug & background screening. 

• Eligible candidates will be responsible for personal transportation to and from work site during duration of the internship program.  

What can you expect from Mars? 

• Exciting professional and social engagement activities throughout the experience that provide opportunities to network with your intern peers all the way up to senior leaders. 

• Best-in-class training and development from Day 1, including a formal mentor, access to our in-house Mars University, and more. 

• Ongoing coaching and mentorship to help you succeed and get the most out of your experience. 

• Some pretty sweet perks including competitive salary & benefits package, fun freebies, and pet-friendly offices. 

• Housing and relocation benefits vary on eligibility and location and will be shared with you via your Early Talent Manager.  

About Mars, Incorporated 

For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating, and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us. 

Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of Snacking, Food, and Petcare products and services, we employ over 140,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. As a $65 billion family-owned business, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, CESAR®, M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, Pringles®, Cheez-It®, and BEN’S ORIGINAL™. and take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses, including AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, and VCA™.  

We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive. The Mars Compass, inspired by the Economics of Mutuality, is used to measure the company’s progress in service of its purpose; The world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. 

For more information about Mars, please visit mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.