Packaging Engineer

About the role

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, the Engineer Packaging is responsible for developing, testing, and evaluating new and existing pallet loads, as well as secondary and tertiary packaging systems. This role ensures design compatibility, machinability, and shipping distribution efficiency. The engineer will collaborate with external vendors, engineering, purchasing, commercial, and operations leadership to drive packaging solutions from functional prototype to full operational implementation.

Responsibilities

• Participates in weekly project review meetings and delivers technical outputs such as specification evaluations, test protocols, test results, die-line approvals, and specification sign-offs.
• Updates and maintains packaging quality systems and specifications.
• Manages multiple assignments concurrently with moderate supervision.
• Drives projects from initiation to completion, documenting each phase, and ensuring successful closure.
• Serves as the Project Packaging Engineer, primarily focused on primary and secondary packaging.
• Interacts with commercial, manufacturing, product development, equipment engineering, graphics, and shipping/transportation personnel to optimize package design and development efforts.
• Troubleshoots new and existing packaging problems involving designs, materials and processes and provide creative, timely, and cost-effective solutions.
• Initiates cost reduction projects and cost avoidance opportunities that include packaging redesign initiatives, package component consolidation, and production line efficiencies.
• Liaison and communication with Commercial Account Managers, Purchasing Managers and suppliers to obtain an adequate customer packaging brief that can be communicated internally within the business.
• Coordinate packaging qualification tests with program manager, suppliers, plants and quality.
• Schedule, support and perform experimental trials and tests as required and document procedures and results.
• Accompany Sales personnel to meet with customer personnel concerning packaging or damage problems.
• Daily support of ACE workflow, packaging inquiries, creating pallet specifications, completing customer packaging data sheets within 48 hours of request or prior agreement.
• Aids in the development of Bills of Materials, and cost analysis.
• Quarterly validate accuracy of plant capability and packaging specification databases.
• Analyze packaging engineering drawings and material specifications to assess physical characteristics, handling requirements, and environmental and safety requirements.
• Prototypes packaging and models using appropriate materials: flexible, corrugated and folding carton manufacturing, plastic film and pressure-sensitive labels, and other materials as appropriate.
• Consults with company’s counsel to determine any product patent or liability impact of new designs.
• Selects most appropriate materials for use in consort with purchasing manager.
• Attends professional activities and events to acquire and expand expertise to keep current and advise on emerging trends in packaging technologies, and environmental/ regulatory requirements.
• Organizes, catalogs and maintains an up-to-date inventory of packaging materials and supplies in support of Package Development programs.
• Develops and executes processes for maintaining packaging specification database documentation including package component specifications, pallet configurations.
• Develops and executes packaging procedures including the Packaging change management process activities and interdepartmental packaging processes.
• Compiles weekly reports on the status of key projects and communicates to their stakeholders.

Requirements

• Ability to understand the full life cycle of employee data from initial input to carrier feed and how that relates to employee eligibility and enrollment transactions.
• Thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments, working independently to manage multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures.
• Strong technical and interpersonal skills, effectively leading cross-functional teams and communicating with diverse stakeholders.
• Confident presenting in both in-person and virtual settings.
• Quick learner who stays current with industry trends, applying new knowledge to improve processes and drive innovation.
• Proficient in all areas of Packaging Engineering, including knowledge of metal cans & ends, corrugated, folding carton manufacturing, label substrates, films, laminations, labeling methods, printing techniques and processes, pallets, and artwork/graphics development interface.
• Trained in the use of measuring devices and techniques to analyze materials, components, shipping/test simulations.
• Able to apply, analyze and improve control processes.
• Ability to conduct initiatives that include packaging line trials, shipping/distribution testing, and ISTA/ASTM testing for new and existing products.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ensuring clear and accurate interactions across internal departments (Commercial, Graphics, QA, Product Development, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Shipping/Distribution) and with external customers and suppliers.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities. Ability to think on the fly and proactively apply and validate new learning and adapt innovative techniques and breakthrough ideas.
• Solicits and applies feedback from internal and external customers.
• Responds promptly to customer needs and understand business case rationale driving current and future expectations.
• Understands Quality, Health & Safety, and Regulatory Standards, including Packaging Food Regulations, Packaging Essential Regulations, and specific customer requirements.
• Effective understanding of manufacturing, packaging/packaging machinery technology and processes and the quality risks associated with changing a design or substrate of packaging material. (Preferably beverages)
• Basic technical understanding of the creation of standard dielines for labels, trays, sleeves, shrink films and other printed packaging.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Industrial, or Packaging Engineering is required.
• 2-5 years of experience in industrial or consumer packaging.
• Knowledge and understanding of packaging design validation standards (ISO, ASTM, etc.), drafting and specification standards is essential.
• Standard knowledge of CAD, TOPS, Package design software like ArtiosCAD, MS Office, Excel, Access, Project and SAP.
• PMP, Continuous process improvement and quality improvement methodology experience and certifications a plus.
• Thorough demonstrable knowledge and a minimum of 2 years practical experience of working in a manufacturing environment particularly with beverage packaging materials.
• Appropriate Technical Qualification (BTEC HNC or Engineering degree).

Skills

• Ability to understand the full life cycle of employee data from initial input to carrier feed and how that relates to employee eligibility and enrollment transactions.
• Thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments, working independently to manage multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures.
• Strong technical and interpersonal skills, effectively leading cross-functional teams and communicating with diverse stakeholders.
• Confident presenting in both in-person and virtual settings.
• Quick learner who stays current with industry trends, applying new knowledge to improve processes and drive innovation.
• Proficient in all areas of Packaging Engineering, including knowledge of metal cans & ends, corrugated, folding carton manufacturing, label substrates, films, laminations, labeling methods, printing techniques and processes, pallets, and artwork/graphics development interface.
• Trained in the use of measuring devices and techniques to analyze materials, components, shipping/test simulations.
• Able to apply, analyze and improve control processes.
• Ability to conduct initiatives that include packaging line trials, shipping/distribution testing, and ISTA/ASTM testing for new and existing products.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ensuring clear and accurate interactions across internal departments (Commercial, Graphics, QA, Product Development, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Shipping/Distribution) and with external customers and suppliers.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities. Ability to think on the fly and proactively apply and validate new learning and adapt innovative techniques and breakthrough ideas.
• Solicits and applies feedback from internal and external customers.
• Responds promptly to customer needs and understand business case rationale driving current and future expectations.
• Understands Quality, Health & Safety, and Regulatory Standards, including Packaging Food Regulations, Packaging Essential Regulations, and specific customer requirements.
• Effective understanding of manufacturing, packaging/packaging machinery technology and processes and the quality risks associated with changing a design or substrate of packaging material. (Preferably beverages)
• Basic technical understanding of the creation of standard dielines for labels, trays, sleeves, shrink films and other printed packaging.

Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
Life and AD&D Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
Short-term disability and long-term disability
Pet Insurance
Legal Benefits
401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
12 Paid Holidays
Vacation Days and Paid Sick Time Off Days
Well-being Benefit Discount and Total Reward Programs