Project Engineer - Packaging

Location: Chicago, IL • Contract role

About the role

We are seeking a hands-on Packaging / Manufacturing Project Engineer to support packaging trials, production changes, equipment initiatives, and engineering projects within a high-volume manufacturing environment. This role will work closely with Engineering, Production, Quality, Maintenance, vendors, and original equipment manufacturers. The ideal candidate is organized, technically curious, and comfortable working directly on the manufacturing floor.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support packaging trials, production runs, changeovers, and equipment initiatives.
• Provide hands-on production-floor support, working directly with operators and plant teams.
• Coordinate materials, samples, equipment support, vendors, and other trial requirements.
• Collect and ship production and trial samples while maintaining accurate documentation.
• Review production and trial data to evaluate performance and identify issues.
• Coordinate activities across Engineering, Production, Quality, Maintenance, Procurement, and Logistics.
• Track project schedules, requirements, action items, and follow-ups.
• Update engineering documentation, standard operating procedures, Bills of Materials, and equipment records.
• Support packaging equipment, labeling, vision-system, troubleshooting, and equipment improvement activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Packaging, Manufacturing Technology, or related field.
• 2–7 years of experience in manufacturing, packaging, project, process, or plant engineering preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing or production environment; packaging experience strongly preferred.
• Comfortable working extensively on the manufacturing floor.
• Strong project coordination, organization, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to analyze production data and manage multiple priorities independently.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, or other high-volume manufacturing experience preferred.

Pay

$50–60/hr

Benefits

As a contract employee of Sterling, you are eligible to receive a Full Employee Benefits Package that includes:

• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• 3 medical plans to choose from
• Dental & vision plans
• 401(k)
• Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP) plan