Job description
Join a leading packaging solutions provider in Chicago and accelerate your career as a Senior Packaging Engineer. You will shape packaging strategy, drive innovative designs, and ensure packaging performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability across multiple product lines.
As a key member of our product and manufacturing teams, you will influence materials selection, test protocols, and process improvements that reduce waste and improve reliability.
Responsibility
- Lead the design, prototyping, and validation of packaging concepts for new and existing products across multiple SKUs.
- Partner with R&D, operations, procurement, and suppliers to optimize performance, cost, and manufacturability.
- Define materials, structures, and specifications; develop BOMs and packaging processes aligned with sustainability goals.
- Develop and execute testing plans (ISTA/ASTM) to ensure packaging integrity under typical handling, transport, and storage conditions.
- Collaborate on scale-up and line trials, capturing data to support continuous improvement.
- Manage supplier relationships, negotiate feasibility, lead times, and quality improvements.
- Drive digital tooling and automation opportunities in packaging operations to improve throughput and consistency.
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field; 5+ years of packaging experience preferred.
- Strong knowledge of packaging systems, materials (rigid and flexible), and test methods (ISTA, ASTM).
- Proven experience with CAD tools and prototyping; ability to translate designs into manufacturable solutions.
- Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills; proven ability to drive initiatives to completion.
- Experience with supplier management, sourcing, and negotiation; track record of cost reduction and value engineering.
- Awareness of sustainability and recycling regulations; ability to balance performance with environmental considerations.
- Data-driven decision making with proficiency in Excel or data-analysis tools; familiarity with ERP systems (SAP/Oracle).