Staff Engineer - Packaging Innovation

About the role

The Staff Engineer leads technology scouting, evaluation, and development initiatives to support low-cost leadership, operational scalability, and sustainable packaging innovation. They drive cross-functional collaboration to identify emerging technologies, assess technical and commercial feasibility, and translate concepts into scalable manufacturing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead technology scouting, evaluation, and development initiatives aligned with low-cost leadership, manufacturing scalability, and sustainable packaging innovation
• Design, develop, and implement Research & Development (R&D) projects, including material evaluations, process-property relationship studies, virtual engineering/modeling, and development of new testing methodologies
• Plan and execute experimental trials on manufacturing lines and pilot systems; collect, analyze, and interpret data to support technical recommendations and scalable implementation
• Develop predictive models and data-driven insights to improve product performance, process robustness, and operational efficiency
• Identify opportunities for product, packaging, and process optimization through analytical and engineering-based approaches
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality, Supply Chain, and external partners/suppliers to support strategic innovation initiatives
• Evaluate emerging technologies and external partnerships for technical feasibility, commercial viability, and strategic fit
• Design and conduct laboratory testing using R&D equipment, including development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), technical reports, and validation protocols
• Support manufacturing trials, commercialization activities, and product launches across multiple production facilities
• Present technical findings, strategic recommendations, and project updates to internal and external stakeholders, including leadership teams
• Support intellectual property development, technical documentation, and innovation strategy initiatives

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: 6 Years – Experience in Mechanical Engineering or Applied Mechanics or Material Science
• 6 Years – Experience in Position, industry or in a Research laboratory
• 6 Years – Experience working with engineers, graduate researchers, interns or lab assistants experience may include a combination of work experience and education
• Preferred Qualifications: 8 Years– Experience in Mechanical Engineering or Applied Mechanics or Material Science
• 8 Years – Experience in Position, industry or in a Research laboratory
• 8 Years – Experience working with engineers, graduate researchers, interns or lab assistantsexperience may include a combination of work experience and education

Competencies

• Proficiency In, But Not Limited To Advanced data analysis
• Publishation quality communication skills (documents and presentations)
• Proven experience with analytical laboratory equipment such as a Material Strength Testers, Full-Field Measurement techniques (strain), thermal analysis techniques (DMA, DSC), etc.
• Skills with handling large data sets and analysis tools like Matlab, Python, etc.
• Problem Solving - identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully
• Detail oriented and accurate - minimizes mistakes, follows every step in a process and follows through with all tasks
• Possesses comprehensive knowledge of subject matter
• Provides leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group
• Oral Communication - speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; demonstrates presentation skills
• Written Communication - writes clearly and informatively; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information
• Microsoft Office Products

Skills

• Injection molding or blow molding experience

Physical Demands

• Lifting Requirements 40 lbs.
• Travel up to 25%
• Some work in hot, cold, or confined production environments
• Must be able to operate tools used when changing molds and operating R&D equipment

Benefits

• Paid Time Off for holidays, sick time, and vacation time
• Paid parental and caregiver leaves
• Medical, including virtual care options
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Health Savings Account with company match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Expanded mental wellbeing benefits including free counseling sessions for all team members and household family members
• Family Building Benefits including enhanced fertility benefits for IVF and fertility preservation plus adoption, surrogacy, and Doula reimbursements
• Income protection including Life and AD&D, short and long-term disability, critical illness and an accident plan
• Special discount programs including pet plans, pre-paid legal services, identity theft, car rental, airport parking, etc.
• Tuition reimbursement, college savings plan and scholarship opportunities
• And more!