Packaging & Product Development Engineer

Role details

• Lead the development, evaluation, and commercialization of new packaging products, materials, and processes.
• Design packaging solutions that meet customer, manufacturing, quality, and cost requirements.
• Plan, coordinate, execute, and document manufacturing trials, customer qualifications, and validation activities.
• Develop and maintain product specifications, manufacturing standards, engineering documentation, and technical work instructions.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing by troubleshooting process and product issues related to printing, lamination, slitting, and converting operations.
• Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for packaging and process-related issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce waste, optimize material usage, and lower costs through process and packaging improvements.
• Evaluate and qualify new materials, equipment, suppliers, and technologies to support innovation and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for packaging development projects with customers and suppliers.
• Partner with Quality to ensure products comply with customer requirements, regulatory standards, and food packaging best practices.
• Support Operations, Sales, Customer Service, and Procurement with technical expertise throughout the product lifecycle.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to recommend improvements that enhance product performance and company competitiveness.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Five or more years of engineering experience within flexible packaging, converting, printing, laminating, or related manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of flexible packaging materials, flexographic printing, lamination, slitting, converting processes, and package performance.
• Experience leading product development, manufacturing trials, and cross-functional technical projects.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering documentation systems; CAD experience is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with food packaging, barrier films, adhesives, coatings, and flexible packaging structures.
• Knowledge of GMP, SQF, Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and quality management systems.
• Customer-facing technical support and supplier development experience.

Success Measures

• Successful commercialization of new products and packaging solutions.
• Timely completion of product development and manufacturing trial activities.
• Improved manufacturing performance, product quality, and material utilization.
• Reduction in packaging-related quality issues and manufacturing downtime.
• Accurate technical documentation and specifications.
• Positive collaboration with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
• Must be able to talk, listen, and speak clearly on telephone.
• Must have the ability to be punctual and maintain regular attendance.