Senior Packaging Engineer

Role Overview

• Serve as the primary packaging engineering lead, owning packaging decisions across commercialization and operations.
• Drive end-to-end packaging delivery for new product launches and existing product updates, ensuring solutions move efficiently from concept to production.
• Lead packaging strategy and selection by recommending optimal materials, formats, and configurations aligned with product needs and manufacturing capabilities.
• Ensure packaging solutions are fully compatible with production processes, minimizing risk during scale-up and commercialization.
• Own resolution of packaging-related performance issues, ensuring consistent product quality and operational efficiency.
• Act as the key liaison between R&D, Operations, and Commercial teams, aligning packaging with broader business and product objectives.
• Provide independent technical leadership, requiring minimal oversight while delivering immediate impact.
• Write and maintain packaging-related specifications.
• Participate in and support packaging trials, line testing, and commercialization runs.
• Troubleshoot real-time packaging and processing issues on the production floor, identifying root causes and implementing fixes.
• Review and adjust packaging specifications and configurations based on trial outcomes or production feedback.
• Coordinate with internal teams to execute packaging requirements for new and updated products.
• Monitor packaging performance during production and make on-the-spot decisions to keep operations running smoothly.
• Support ongoing updates or changes to packaging tied to product, process, or operational needs.

Requirements

• 5+ years of packaging engineering experience with strong foundational knowledge of packaging materials, formats, and processes
• Experience in the food industry, particularly working with food packaging applications
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight, including making packaging decisions without extensive guidance
• Proven ability to “hit the ground running” in a new role with limited training or ramp-up time
• Experience supporting commercialization activities, including new product launches, trials, or packaging changes
• Working knowledge of manufacturing / production environments, including familiarity with packaging equipment and processes
• Ability to troubleshoot packaging and processing issues and support resolution of bottlenecks or performance challenges
• Willingness to work in a hands-on, on-site role within a production environment, including flexibility to support trials or extended hours as needed
• Strong understanding of typical packaging requirements and formats across a range of channels (retail, industrial, food service, Club, etc.)

Benefits

• This is a 1099 independent contractor position.
• The contractor is responsible for managing their own tax withholdings, insurance coverage, and other obligations associated with independent contractor status.