Packaging Engineer

This role is responsible for the engineering, development, and testing of innovative packaging solutions that meet product protection, sustainability, safety and cost-efficiency goals. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure packaging designs align with manufacturing capabilities and regulatory requirements. 

The Packaging Engineer will contribute to the successful development and delivery of high-quality products and packaging solutions that meet cost, functional and aesthetic requirements as per the agreed timeline with ORENDA clients.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following: 

Engineer and develop innovative packaging solutions that meet product protection, sustainability, and cost-efficiency goals. 

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering team members, and manufacturing to ensure packaging designs align with overall project objectives. 

Conduct material selection and testing to ensure packaging meets quality and regulatory standards. 

Develop and maintain packaging specifications, documentation, and standards. 

Lead packaging projects from concept through implementation, ensuring timelines and budgets are met. 

Analyze and improve existing packaging processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. 

Stays updated on industry trends, new materials, and technologies to incorporate best practices into packaging designs. 

Test packaging systems and components for new and existing products. 

Research and introduce prototypes. 

Draft specifications for new packing materials that will adequately protect finished products. 

Collaborate with staff from the manufacturing department to optimize products. 

Draft and recommend procedures to establish or improve quality standards, standard repairs, process controls, and inspection methods. 

Analyze, review, and approve manufacturing engineering policies, processes, documentation, and operations. 

Develop and implement strategies to increase quality and customization of products. 

Provide quality engineering support for in-progress and final acceptance projects. 

Provide technical and administrative support and guidance to direct and indirect reports.  

Perform other duties as required. 

Travel as necessary to suppliers, trade shows, etc. 

Perform other related duties as assigned. 

ORENDA Responsibilities 

Project Management 

Achieve 100% on time schedule for all new launch programs, inclusive of meeting cost targets and quality expectations. 

Lead projects from gathering requirements, identifying schedules, budget estimation and implementation plans. 

Coordinate internal and external resources to ensure all projects adhere to scope, schedule and budget. 

Proactively communicate project status, changes to relevant stakeholders on a weekly basis. Report project outcomes and risks to appropriate management channels.  

Upfront work in Concept stage with Brand Design teams to ensure designs are manufacturable and cost effective. 

Align with the VP Development on quote/capability analysis and ultimately business awards.  

Manage timelines through the development process to ensure all deliverables, internal and external are met. 

Identify risks in costs, timing and/or execution and problem solving with all stakeholders to resolve. 

Package Design 

Design and develop packaging solutions for a variety of products, considering factors such as product protection, transportation requirements, sustainability goals, and aesthetic appeal. 

Manage comp development process in preparation of comps for presentation/approval as required by project brief. 

Work closely with primary component suppliers to create, review, and approve technical part drawings inclusive of all part tolerance stack ups to ensure proper form/fit/function of finished product. 

Ensure art set up is optimized to the appropriate printing process. 

Review color targets from brand partners and work with factories on setting up color range boards that meet the design intent for all components. 

Ensure signed color ranges are kept ensuring production matches targets on first production and on re-orders. 

Material Selection and Testing 

Brief appropriate suppliers on each project based on their capabilities around the specific design as well as cost, quality and speed. 

Evaluate and make recommendations to the supervisor on appropriate packaging materials based on product specifications, regulatory requirements, and cost considerations. 

Manage material testing and analysis under the direction of supervisor and/or regulatory to ensure packaging materials meet performance standards for strength, durability, and environmental impact. 

100% completion of all compatibility and package functional testing prior to launch. 

Contract Manufacturer 

Coordinate with contract manufacturers to ensure any production tooling required is designed/purchased within specified lead-times and all appropriate line trials are conducted to ensure manufacturability 

Collaborate with internal and external manufacturing partners to ensure that packaging designs can be effectively and efficiently produced. 

Provide guidance and support during the packaging production process, including troubleshooting any issues that arise. 

Regulatory Compliance 

Stay informed about relevant regulations and standards governing packaging materials and processes. 

Ensure that packaging designs and materials comply with regulatory requirements, such as those related to product safety, labeling, and environmental sustainability. 

Issue standards to component suppliers and fillers to check against incoming components. 

Cost Optimization 

Ensure you are negotiating for best price on all components based on the competitive bid analysis, whilst looking at a program globally looking for production efficiencies 

Work closely with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for cost optimization in packaging design and production. 

Conduct cost analysis and implement cost-effective packaging solutions without compromising quality or functionality. 

Requirements 

Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university preferably in Package Engineering or another Engineering discipline. 

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint, etc.) 

Excellent communication skills both verbal and written. 

Client focused attitude. 

Strong understanding of materials science. 

Project management skills are essential. 

Excellent problem solving. 

Compensation & Benefits 

Entry salary $72,000 - $75,000.00 

Annual bonus based on performance. 

Health insurance, offering options of HMO, HSA or PPO plan; Group dental and vision are also offered.  

Employer paid Basic Life and AD&D insurance; Voluntary life insurance, AD&D, short- and long-term disability plans. 

401(k) program with employer match. 

Paid time off (PTO) to include federal/company holidays; floating holidays; vacation and sick time.