Senior Engineer, R&D Packaging Materials – Flexible Film and Paper

Role Overview

• Support and execute flexible film and paper packaging material development work, balancing technology exploration with proof-of-concept activities and documenting learnings to support business cases and application decisions.
• Support coordination of external partnerships across the value chain (e.g., resin, coating, material suppliers; universities; institutes; start-ups; open innovation networks; scouting partners) by managing technical communication, sample/testing plans, and data exchange under guidance.
• Ensure packaging material/design decisions align with enterprise standards, manufacturability needs, sustainability requirements, and platform direction by applying standard methods and escalating risks/constraints.
• Contribute to technical problem solving for flexible film and paper packaging projects by running testing, troubleshooting, and root-cause investigations as needed.
• Apply Design of Experiments (DoE), statistics, and structured technical problem-solving practices to research, development, and validation work.
• Support prototyping development for consumer testing, pilot line setup, and scale-up to industrial production as required to enable commercialization.
• Contribute to technical documentation and knowledge sharing (e.g., summaries, test reports, learnings) to support team capability-building and consistency.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Innovation, Process, Platform Packaging) to translate requirements into testable material/package options and to support handover to business units.

Requirements

• BS/MS/PhD degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering preferred or related discipline.
• 4 + years of R&D technology development and commercialization experience in packaging and project leadership experience (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred).
• Demonstrated experience supporting R&D technology development and commercialization work with exposure to flexible film and/or paper packaging.
• Demonstrated ability to support end-to-end development activities (planning tests, executing experiments, analyzing results, documenting recommendations) and coordinating with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Technical knowledge of materials (films, paper, barriers, coatings, sealants and additives, etc.) and manufacturing constraints, including converting processes (e.g., extrusion lamination, adhesive lamination, sealing, pouch forming, form-fill-seal, etc).
• Experience evaluating flexible film and/or paper packaging on filling equipment; solution development; and recommended next steps preferred.
• Working knowledge of project execution practices (e.g., timelines, risk identification, stakeholder updates) and ability to manage assigned deliverables.
• Knowledge and practical application of Design of Experiments (DoE), statistics, and technical problem solving.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work with cross-functional partners and external suppliers.
• Knowledge of sustainable packaging solutions, material/package industry standards, and regulations (as applicable to flexible packaging development work).
• Experience supporting pilot line setups and scale-up to industrial production (as required by project needs).
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Benefits

• Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare
• protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs.
• Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
• Physical
• Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social
• Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability