Design Engineers - multiple job openings; Trevor, WI and Fortville, IN

About the role

Join a team that prioritizes care for colleagues, customers, patients, and consumers. As a Design Engineer, you will design packaging and products for leading healthcare and consumer product companies. Vonco is a contract manufacturer specializing in healthcare (fluid transfer containers, specimen collection, PPE, packaging, infection prevention) and consumer products (fluid, shaped, and sustainable packaging).

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate custom products and packaging to meet customer expectations.
• Engage with sales and customers to identify critical design inputs and develop solutions.
• Provide design engineering support for new products and packaging, including capital, through all development stages (DISCOVERY, SPARKS, Road Maps to Commercialization), trials, and commercialization.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Design Engineering, and customers to support new product introductions, process improvements, equipment qualifications, and manufacturing validation.
• Design flexible packaging or devices, estimate costs (bill of materials, manufacturing sets), and present proposals (design assumptions, risks, timeline, cost) to customers.
• Apply working knowledge of plastic welding (heat, ultrasonic, or radio-frequency) for materials like PE, PP, PVC.
• Conduct Design for Manufacturability assessments and recommend design changes (material and geometric) for effective manufacturing.
• Create hand samples using prototyping equipment to demonstrate designs and manufacturability changes.
• Lead cross-functional project teams through all phases of product development.
• Identify and design multiple product solutions (geometric designs and materials) to meet customer needs.
• Partner with Operations to ensure new products are designed for manufacturing capabilities and equipment capacity.
• Develop design and development plans, design inputs/outputs, and risk management files.
• Support design transfer of new products to production and plan complex product development and scale-up.
• Integrate new products by completing Design Contract Reviews, Product Master Drawings, Quality Planning Checklist, Web Layouts, Lamination and Slitting Instructions.
• Collaborate with process engineering to validate manufacturing processes and create material specifications.
• Maintain compliance with government regulations to uphold product and company reputation.
• Maintain system and product information, including quotes and drawings.
• Stay current with professional and technical knowledge through workshops, publications, networks, and professional societies.
• Communicate effectively with customers, co-workers, and personnel at all levels.

Requirements

• BS degree in Engineering or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3-5 years of experience in the engineering field.
• Proficient in AutoCAD or similar engineering design software.
• Good mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Ability to sit/walk/stand for 8 hours/day and lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to travel (up to 10-20%).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in flexible films, medical packaging, or converting operations.
• Experience with RF welding, heat sealing, extrusion, laminating, pouch manufacturing, or printing technologies.
• Experience supporting customer inquiries and inspections.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Project management and organizational skills.
• Attention to detail and documentation accuracy.
• Effective communication and collaboration.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Customer-focused mindset.
• Team player with a positive attitude.

Location: On-site in Trevor, WI or Fortville, IN.