Packaging Engineer (4-Month Contract)

Accountabilities

• Owning packaging development and specification management across primary, secondary, and component packaging categories.
• Collaborating with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure packaging solutions are scalable, compliant, and aligned with business growth objectives.
• Create, maintain, and manage packaging specifications within PLM systems, ensuring accurate and audit-ready product data.
• Review and validate dielines, structural specifications, material details, technical data sheets, and bills of materials for packaging components.
• Support SKU and UPC creation processes while maintaining accurate product hierarchies and documentation.
• Manage engineering change requests (ECRs), packaging revisions, and obsolete SKU processes.
• Partner with suppliers, copackers, regulatory teams, sourcing teams, and quality teams to collect information and maintain packaging accuracy.
• Support development and qualification of primary packaging including stick packs, sachets, pouches, tubs, and bottles.
• Evaluate packaging trade-offs related to cost, lead times, supply chain flexibility, performance, and shelf stability.
• Manage packaging samples, testing coordination, pilot fills, and internal review processes.
• Optimize packaging configurations to reduce complexity, improve efficiency, and support cost savings.
• Assist with component development, supplier relationships, risk assessments, and packaging changeovers.
• Support sustainability initiatives related to recyclability, recycled materials, certifications, and environmental impact assessments.
• Ensure packaging decisions align with applicable regulatory requirements, including dietary supplement standards and labeling guidelines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product development, creative, procurement, planning, regulatory, quality, and logistics.
• Identify risks, dependencies, and timeline impacts while maintaining project visibility and execution plans.

Requirements

• A hands-on packaging engineering professional with experience managing complex packaging programs in regulated consumer industries.
• Strong technical knowledge, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple packaging initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of hands-on packaging engineering experience with ownership of primary and secondary packaging development.
• Experience working in dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, nutritional products, food and beverage, or another cGMP-regulated consumer goods environment.
• Strong experience with PLM or specification management systems, including packaging specs, SKU/UPC management, and engineering change workflows.
• Knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 111 requirements, dietary supplement regulations, NSF certification processes, and labeling requirements.
• Ability to interpret, review, and validate dielines, structural drawings, and technical packaging documentation.
• Experience collaborating directly with copackers, converters, manufacturers, and print suppliers.
• Ability to manage a high volume of active packaging projects and SKUs while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience with flexible film packaging, sealing technologies, and packaging qualification processes is preferred.
• Familiarity with retail packaging requirements, pallet configurations, shipper qualification, and commercialization processes is a plus.
• Knowledge of sustainability frameworks such as FSC, How2Recycle, PCR content, and EPR regulations is beneficial.
• Experience supporting product launches, innovation programs, or unboxing experiences is preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package with performance-based incentives.
• Four-month contract opportunity with a fully remote work arrangement within the United States.
• Opportunity to contribute to packaging innovation within a rapidly growing health and wellness business.
• Collaborative environment working with cross-functional teams across product, supply chain, regulatory, and operations.
• High-impact role with direct influence on product scalability and customer experience.
• Access to company products and branded merchandise.
• Culture focused on ownership, continuous improvement, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Opportunities to work with passionate teams in a mission-driven organization.