Packaging Engineer

The Packaging Engineer Position is responsible for the development of new primary, secondary and tertiary packaging solutions as well as the design, development, and commercialization of merchandising display concepts. The Packaging Engineer is responsible for leading business support activities as well as the development, testing and validation of short- and long-term sustainable packaging solutions.

This position will represent the company and interface with suppliers and play a hands-on role in the development and testing of all packaging and related materials including developing specifications. The Packaging Engineer will work closely with his/her supervisor and represent packaging by participating and providing updates in cross-functional program/project meetings.

• Coordinates and manages external testing laboratories to meet timelines/reporting dates.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining packaging specifications and associated processes (SOP’s). Develops CAD drawings in support of specifications as required.
• Responsible for hands-on development and testing (i.e. stability, material performance) of new primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions, printing (labels), shippers, and merchandizing display units.
• Works with supervisor and colleagues to support company short- and long-term sustainable packaging development strategies by identifying and delivering compliant solutions.
• Works closely with supervisor to develop packaging based Intellectual Property as appropriate.
• Works closely with cross-functional partners, external suppliers, and manufacturing in support of transferring new packaging designs, components, and materials to the production floor.
• Maintains awareness of global packaging, competitive offerings, and not-in-kind packaging trends and opportunities.
• Works closely with the company Regulatory Department to maintain global regulatory compliance polymer/resin’s, dyes/pigments, packaging materials, labels, (i.e. heavy metals, dye/pigment migration, processing aids).
• Responsible for complying with GLP’s, cGMP’s and all company policies and procedures.
• Partners with Operations, QA, and Customer Service departments to resolve packaging related production issues.
• Responsible for all testing associated with demonstrating and supporting packaging stability/integrity and defining shipping requirements and pallet configurations.
• Works with supervisor to identify and build opportunities with packaging component suppliers, design firms and research affiliates to identify and/or develop new primary and secondary packaging options as well as new merchandizing display concepts and solutions.
• Identifies and presents new innovative packaging concepts to supervisor and R&D Department Head.
• Drives collaboration with peers and cross-functional team members and is accountable for new packaging development tasks and activities.
• Works collaboratively with cross functional business partners and colleagues to develop, support, manage and execute against all packaging project/program timelines.

**Must be authorized to work in the US for any employer, regardless of authorization or visa transfer

• Computer skills (e.g. Word, Excel, Microsoft Project/Smartsheet, PowerPoint, CAD)
• Working knowledge of unit and production tool design, development, and validation.
• Employee must be able to sit or stand for up to eight hours in a workday.
• Hands on experience executing packaging studies and reporting physical/chemical performance and compatibility study results (stability testing, part functionality, part and finished product reliability-functionality testing, leak/permeation studies, shaker/drop ship testing, optical comparator, microscopic, print durability testing etc.).
• Ability to bend or reach throughout the workday.
• Hand-on, working knowledge of packaging polymers/resins, corrugated-paperboard, processing aids, resin dyes/pigments, printing inks and processes, and material compatibility testing.
• Preferred working knowledge of EPR, PRO, ESG and related reporting requirements.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and complete many program assignments and related tasks on time.
• Preferred experience developing and commercializing merchandizing display units.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional program team environment.
• Working knowledge of statistical data treatment
• Clear and concise oral and written communication skills
• Experienced in the design and development of packaging components, labels, material’s, and consumer preferred packaging solutions. (e.g. injection molded, extruded, co-molded, cardboard boxes/cards, flexible packaging, film/paper/foil lamination etc.).
• The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Hands on working knowledge of packaging component modeling (e.g. SLA, 3-D printing, resin etc.).
• Minimum 5 to 7 years’ experience working in a like-industry company; with direct hands-on packaging development and testing experience.
• Preferred experience working with FDA and global packaging regulatory requirements (i.e. heavy metals, food grade, GRAS).
• Preferred working knowledge of consumer package verification/validation (i.e. product-package-concept testing, qualitative and quantitative research).
• Hands on experience writing SOP’s, packaging, and finished product specifications.
• Hands on experience with CAD, Pro-E, Creo.
• Experience with label adhesive systems (water based, solvent based, hot melt, pressure sensitive etc.).
• Experience with label design, dimensions/dye lines etc.
• Working knowledge and experience in a GLP and cGMP environment.
• BS or MS Package Engineering
• Open, honest communication style

Status of Hire: direct placement; permanent

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k with company match, STD, LTD, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, wellness program with incentives, PTO, and more!