Packaging Engineer

About the role

This Packaging Engineer role is a high-priority, 12-month contract-to-hire opportunity focused on packaging systems, automation controls, troubleshooting, continuous improvement, and capital project execution in an FDA-regulated manufacturing environment. You will primarily support a large personal care and OTC manufacturing facility, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver complex capital projects and improve liquid packaging and filling operations. The position offers strong conversion potential, significant exposure to large-scale capital programs, and clear opportunities for career growth as the organization continues to expand.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support capital projects ranging from approximately $1M to $34M, with a primary focus on liquid packaging and filling operations in an FDA-regulated environment.
• Provide engineering support for liquid packaging lines, including deodorant filling, bottling, labeling, scrambling systems, conveyors, and secondary packaging equipment.
• Troubleshoot packaging line issues and automation controls problems to minimize downtime and improve overall equipment effectiveness.
• Perform root cause analysis on equipment and process issues, develop corrective and preventive actions, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Understand and explain automation system functionality and equipment operation to maintenance, operations, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Quality, R&D, Manufacturing, Site Engineering, and Plant Leadership to ensure successful project execution and manufacturing support.
• Support manufacturing operations by optimizing processes, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and enhancing packaging line performance.
• Contribute to strategic planning for capital investments and packaging system upgrades, aligning engineering activities with business priorities.
• Support validation activities in an FDA-regulated environment, including IQ/OQ/PQ efforts and related documentation for packaging and process equipment.
• Ensure compliance with FDA and applicable regulatory requirements in all packaging and automation engineering activities.
• Prepare and maintain engineering and validation documentation, including specifications, test protocols, reports, and change control records.
• Participate in controls investigations and work with automation and maintenance teams to improve system reliability and performance.
• Engage in cross-functional meetings and project reviews to communicate progress, risks, and technical recommendations.
• Provide on-floor support during installations, shutdowns, and major project milestones, including occasional extra hours as needed.
• Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement in safety, quality, throughput, and cost within packaging operations.

Requirements

• 3–5+ years of experience supporting liquid packaging and filling operations in environments such as personal care, pharmaceutical, OTC manufacturing, or liquid food and beverage production.
• Hands-on experience with liquid packaging processes, including deodorant filling, bottling, labeling, scrambling systems, conveyors, and secondary packaging.
• Practical understanding of automation and controls systems in a manufacturing environment, with the ability to troubleshoot controls issues and understand system functionality.
• Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis and develop effective corrective and preventive actions for packaging and process issues.
• Experience working in an FDA-regulated manufacturing environment, with strong familiarity with compliance expectations and documentation requirements.
• Exposure to validation activities, with IQ/OQ/PQ experience preferred and validation documentation knowledge strongly desired.
• Experience supporting or working within OTC drug manufacturing, personal care products, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or similarly regulated industries.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Production, Quality, R&D, Manufacturing, Maintenance, and Plant Leadership.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain equipment operation, system functionality, and technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Willingness and ability to work primarily onsite in a manufacturing facility and provide on-floor support as needed.
• Experience in highly automated packaging environments, particularly with liquid-process packaging, is highly valued.
• Background in liquid food and beverage manufacturing is considered relevant and transferable.
• PLC programming experience is a plus, though not required, provided there is a strong understanding of how automation systems operate.
• Demonstrated experience driving continuous improvement and process optimization within packaging or manufacturing operations.
• Prior involvement in large-scale capital projects within manufacturing, especially in regulated industries.
• Interest in long-term career growth within an expanding engineering organization, with openness to taking on broader responsibilities over time.

Work Environment

This role is primarily onsite in a manufacturing facility, with an expectation of being on the production floor to support packaging lines, installations, and ongoing operations. Some hybrid flexibility may be possible, with an anticipated minimum of approximately three days onsite per week, depending on business needs. The plant operates multiple lines with varying schedules, including 24/7, 24/5, and 20/5 operations, so you will work in a dynamic environment where production is often continuous. During installations, shutdowns, or major project activities, additional hours may occasionally be required, and compensatory time is provided to support work-life balance. You will work closely with cross-functional teams in a highly automated, FDA-regulated setting, using modern packaging, filling, and conveyor systems. The role involves regular presence on the floor in an industrial manufacturing environment, where appropriate safety attire and adherence to plant safety and quality procedures are expected.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 – $75.00/hr. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available)
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Details

Contract-to-hire position based in Raeford, NC (hybrid, minimum ~3 days onsite per week). Anticipated application deadline: October 30, 2026.