Packaging Development Engineer

Position Title: Packaging Development Engineer

Location: Remote (Candidates must be based in AZ, CA,

MD, IL, or GA)

Classification: Exempt (Salaried)

Work Schedules: Full-Time; Requires frequent

travel to manufacturing sites in AZ and MD.

Summary

This role is with a premier specialty contract packaging

(co-packer) and OEM food manufacturer recognized for developing custom

solutions across a vast product portfolio. Their expertise ranges from dry

goods, such as seasonings and mixes, to liquid and viscous products, including

sauces and dressings, serving a diverse customer base in retail, foodservice,

and industrial sectors.

They are seeking an experienced Packaging Development Engineer to

join their R&D team. This critical role involves the end-to-end development

and design of packaging materials for both new and existing food products.

While this position offers a remote work structure for candidates based in CA,

IL, or GA, it requires a professional comfortable with frequent travel to

production facilities in Arizona and Maryland to ensure successful scale-up,

testing, and implementation of packaging designs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited

to:

• Material

Development:

Develop, select, and design appropriate containers, films, and packaging

materials for all new food products, specifically focusing on the unique

barrier and shelf-life requirements for sauces, seasonings, and dry mixes.

• Sustainability

Leadership:

Propose, champion, and implement sustainable packaging solutions, such as

paper conversion and the increased use of recycled and biodegradable

materials.

• Vendor Liaison: Act as the

primary technical contact, collaborating and negotiating with external

packaging material suppliers, printing companies, and filling machine

manufacturers.

• On-Site

Integration:

Travel to manufacturing sites in Arizona and Maryland to evaluate and

confirm the suitability of packaging on mass production and filling lines;

they will provide expert technical support to troubleshoot and resolve

packaging-related production issues.

• Standards &

Testing:

Establish comprehensive packaging specifications and define quality and

durability testing standards to ensure product integrity throughout the

supply chain.

• Cross-Functional

Collaboration:

Partner closely with Marketing, Product Development, and Manufacturing

teams to deliver optimal packaging solutions throughout the entire product

lifecycle.

• Value Engineering: Lead efforts to

identify and implement strategic cost-reduction measures related to

packaging design and materials procurement.

Qualifications

• Technical Breadth: Demonstrated

knowledge of a wide variety of packaging materials, including plastics,

laminated films, paper containers, and bottles.

• Operational

Insight:

Solid understanding of packaging machinery and filling equipment,

including the ability to conduct formal compatibility assessments on-site.

• Commercial Acumen: Proven experience

in technical negotiations with packaging suppliers and the strategic

purchasing of packaging materials.

Required

• Residency in

California, Illinois, or Georgia.

• Willingness and

ability to travel frequently (up to 40-50%) to AZ and MD facilities.

• A minimum of 3

years of professional packaging design or material development experience

within the food, beverage, or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industries.

• Proven track

record of successful supplier management and negotiation.

Preferred

• Direct experience

with packaging materials for dry goods (seasonings/mixes) and/or

liquid/viscous products (sauces/dressings).

• Direct experience

working within a contract packaging (co-packer) or OEM manufacturing

environment.

• A Bachelor’s

degree in Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering,

or a related field.