Technical Engineer - Packaging

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Technical Engineer - Packaging based in United States.** The Technical Engineer - Packaging will lead the design, development, optimization, and implementation of packaging and automated packaging solutions across multiple manufacturing facilities. This role combines packaging engineering expertise with hands-on automation, equipment selection, validation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement. You will transform packaging concepts into scalable, production-ready solutions while balancing product protection, cost, regulatory requirements, quality, and operational efficiency. Working closely with Product Development, Operations, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Quality, and Marketing teams, you will help translate business needs into reliable manufacturing processes. The role also provides technical leadership during new facility launches, equipment transfers, commissioning, and site implementation. This is an independent, cross-functional position in a fast-paced and highly regulated manufacturing environment, with travel of up to 50%. ### Accountabilities: - Design, develop, and validate packaging solutions that protect products during transportation, storage, and handling while accounting for product characteristics such as fragility, dimensions, weight, and shelf life. - Partner with Brand, Process Engineering, Operations, and other cross-functional teams to determine automated manufacturing processes for new packaging concepts and lead line validation activities to identify the most effective solutions. - Research, evaluate, and select packaging automation technologies that align with individual facility volumes, staffing capabilities, production requirements, regulatory needs, and quality standards. - Conduct financial analyses of proposed automation solutions to support efficient capital allocation and maximize return on investment. - Lead the integration of new packaging automation into existing manufacturing operations, minimizing disruption while ensuring equipment is properly commissioned, qualified, and ready for production. - Serve as a subject matter expert for packaging automation technology and lead technical equipment transfers, including controls training, commissioning support, and knowledge transfer that enables site teams to independently operate and maintain new systems. - Establish and support Autonomous Maintenance and Planned Maintenance programs for newly implemented packaging automation in partnership with local maintenance teams. - Lead IQ, OQ, and PQ validation activities for new and modified packaging equipment and processes, coordinating technical transfers with site production and Quality teams. - Own the hardware component of label printing and marking equipment across manufacturing sites, including printer fleet selection, installation, qualification, uptime, and coordination around label accuracy and compliance. - Provide ongoing technical support for packaging automation equipment by troubleshooting issues, identifying root causes, implementing corrective actions, and improving equipment efficiency and uptime. - Provide engineering support for new facility startups, including equipment layout and requirements definition, construction handoffs, regulatory requirements, process development, equipment transfers, and controls training. - Maintain accurate as-built records, engineering drawings, standard operating procedures, and other technical documentation associated with packaging equipment deployments. - Provide engineering expertise to Product Development, Operations, Supply Chain, and Marketing teams regarding equipment capabilities, constraints, packaging specifications, and automation opportunities. - Partner with Maintenance to ensure structured equipment turnover, spare parts planning, technician training, and long-term technical support for packaging automation systems. - Travel to manufacturing and processing locations to assess, implement, troubleshoot, and optimize packaging processes and equipment. - Promote safe and compliant operations by identifying workplace hazards, following applicable safety and PPE requirements, completing required compliance training, and promptly escalating safety or quality concerns. - Follow applicable GMP, sanitation, biosecurity, regulatory, and quality requirements while supporting consistent standards across manufacturing environments. ### Requirements - Bring at least 4 years of experience in Packaging Engineering, Technical Engineering, or a closely related discipline, along with a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. - Demonstrate packaging engineering experience within a regulated consumer goods or manufacturing environment, such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cannabis, or a comparable industry. - Have proven experience driving efficiency, automation improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives within a manufacturing environment. - Bring hands-on experience with packaging equipment such as flow wrappers, combination scales, bag fillers, labelers, case packers, and related automated packaging systems. - Demonstrate working knowledge of packaging materials, substrates, and sealing technologies, including heat sealing, pressure-sensitive applications, induction sealing, and tamper-evident solutions as they relate to automated line performance. - Have experience managing packaging engineering projects through IQ, OQ, and PQ validation processes and supporting technical transfers into production environments. - Demonstrate knowledge of TPM-based continuous improvement methodologies and Lean manufacturing principles. - Possess strong analytical, interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and operational stakeholders. - Be capable of managing large-scale engineering projects from initial concept through implementation, while balancing technical, operational, financial, regulatory, and business considerations. - Demonstrate a high level of independence and flexibility, with the ability to set priorities, manage limited supervision, and make sound decisions in a changing environment. - Be comfortable managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while shifting focus as business and operational needs evolve. - Have the ability to collaboratively lead and influence stakeholders across multiple organizational functions without relying solely on direct authority. - Be willing to travel up to **50% of the time** to manufacturing sites, including occasional short-notice travel. - Be able to perform the physical requirements of the role, including extended periods of sitting or standing, repetitive movements, reaching, grasping, bending, and stooping, as well as lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds independently and up to 100 pounds with assistance. - Be comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with regular exposure to allergens and other operational conditions associated with production facilities. - Be at least 21 years of age, possess a valid state-issued ID and driver's license, and successfully complete required background checks. - Be able to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements for working in the industry, including obtaining and maintaining any required state-specific work credentials or badging. ### Benefits - Annual salary range of **$95,000 to $125,000 USD**, with compensation determined based on experience, qualifications, and/or location. - Eligibility for a discretionary annual incentive program based on organizational and individual performance. - Flexible work-location options, with the role open to candidates based at a headquarters location, within a priority regional area, or near a manufacturing facility with convenient access to a major airport. - The opportunity to work on packaging engineering, automation, and manufacturing optimization projects across multiple facilities. - Significant exposure to cross-functional engineering initiatives spanning Product Development, Operations, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Quality, and Marketing. - The opportunity to contribute to new facility launches, equipment implementations, technical transfers, validation programs, and continuous improvement initiatives. - A role with substantial technical ownership and the opportunity to establish scalable packaging and automation solutions within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.