Packaging Development Engineer

Location: Remote (Candidates must be based in AZ, CA, MD, IL, or GA)Classification: Exempt (Salaried)Work Schedules: Full-Time; Requires frequenttravel 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 customsolutions across a vast product portfolio. Their expertise ranges from drygoods, such as seasonings and mixes, to liquid and viscous products, includingsauces and dressings, serving a diverse customer base in retail, foodservice, and industrial sectors. They are seeking an experienced Packaging Development Engineer tojoin their R&D team. This critical role involves the end-to-end developmentand 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 toproduction facilities in Arizona and Maryland to ensure successful scale-up, testing, and implementation of packaging designs. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limitedto: Material Development: Develop, select, and design appropriate containers, films, and packagingmaterials for all new food products, specifically focusing on the uniquebarrier and shelf-life requirements for sauces, seasonings, and dry mixes. Sustainability Leadership: Propose, champion, and implement sustainable packaging solutions, such aspaper conversion and the increased use of recycled and biodegradablematerials. Vendor Liaison: Act as theprimary technical contact, collaborating and negotiating with externalpackaging material suppliers, printing companies, and filling machinemanufacturers. On-Site Integration: Travel to manufacturing sites in Arizona and Maryland to evaluate andconfirm the suitability of packaging on mass production and filling lines; they will provide expert technical support to troubleshoot and resolvepackaging-related production issues. Standards &Testing: Establish comprehensive packaging specifications and define quality anddurability testing standards to ensure product integrity throughout thesupply chain. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Marketing, Product Development, and Manufacturingteams to deliver optimal packaging solutions throughout the entire productlifecycle. Value Engineering: Lead efforts toidentify and implement strategic cost-reduction measures related topackaging design and materials procurement.

Qualifications: Technical Breadth: Demonstratedknowledge 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 experiencein technical negotiations with packaging suppliers and the strategicpurchasing of packaging materials. Required Residency in California, Illinois, or Georgia. Willingness andability to travel frequently (up to 40-50%) to AZ and MD facilities. A minimum of 3years of professional packaging design or material development experiencewithin the food, beverage, or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industries. Proven trackrecord of successful supplier management and negotiation. Preferred Direct experiencewith packaging materials for dry goods (seasonings/mixes) and/orliquid/viscous products (sauces/dressings).Direct experienceworking within a contract packaging (co-packer) or OEM manufacturingenvironment. A Bachelor'sdegree in Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.