EFP - Thermal Packaging Engineer

Duties And Essential Job Functions

• Design and execute thermal test plans for cold chain packaging systems, including EPS, EPP, PUR, and VIP-based shippers, as well as fiber insulation systems, gel and PCM refrigerants, and dry ice configurations.
• Run standardized and customer-specific test profiles including ambient, seasonal, and lane-based profiles, ensuring proper instrumentation, calibration verification, and data integrity.
• Perform packaging pack-outs and maintain build documentation including bills of material, assembly instructions, photographs, and test records.
• Analyze thermal performance results and translate data into actionable design improvements related to hold time, risk reduction, cost optimization, and sustainability.
• Lead engineering activities within a structured product development or stage-gate process, including requirements definition, feasibility, risk assessment, design iterations, verification and validation, and product release.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Management, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to develop packaging systems that are manufacturable, scalable, and cost-competitive.
• Support manufacturing transfer activities including specifications, work instructions, process validation, and production launch support.
• Develop and maintain engineering and design guidelines related to insulation selection, effective thermal resistance, convection control, void management, and refrigerant conditioning protocols.
• Support customer technical engagements, including development of test proposals, preparation of technical summaries, and delivery of performance recommendations.
• Prepare clear and professional technical reports including methods, assumptions, data analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Maintain laboratory best practices including equipment care, calibration coordination, organization, safety compliance, and repeatable test execution.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to test methods, turnaround time, reporting templates, and knowledge capture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or a closely related engineering field with relevant packaging engineering experience strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in packaging engineering, thermal packaging, cold chain packaging, product development, or package performance testing.
• Demonstrated experience in product development from requirements through launch, including prototypes, testing cycles, design revisions, and release documentation.
• Working knowledge of thermal packaging fundamentals including heat transfer principles, effective thermal resistance, convection pathways, and refrigerant selection and conditioning.
• Experience working with laboratory instrumentation such as thermocouples, data loggers, and thermal chambers, along with basic statistical analysis and data visualization.
• Strong technical writing skills with the ability to produce customer-ready reports and internal engineering documentation.
• Experience with ISTA-style thermal qualification, cold chain materials, CAD interpretation, or manufacturing transfer is preferred.