Principal Packaging Engineer (f/m/d) - Life Sciences Europe (fixed term)

Ecolab; Northwich; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive salary and benefits

In-house gym access and facilities

Company canteen and think tanks

Training and growth opportunities

Job summary

Ecolab is seeking a Principal Packaging Engineer for our high-tech R&D center, based in Northwich, Monheim or Llantrisant (UK/GER). You will lead packaging strategy across global portfolios, ensuring compliance with GMP and regulatory requirements while driving sustainability and lifecycle improvements.

You will partner with cross-functional teams to support NPD, commercialization and supplier innovation, mentoring teams and advancing packaging technologies across the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Packaging Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 5 years packaging engineering experience in regulated industries.
• Knowledge of GMP principles, change control, risk management and documentation practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, qualification, validation and commercialization of packaging solutions across the Life Sciences portfolio.
• Own packaging-related specifications, standards, change management and compliance documentation.
• Drive packaging strategies aligning with product quality, regulatory compliance, sustainability and operational goals.
• Lead packaging activities across product development lifecycle using structured processes.
• Establish and maintain packaging design standards, material specs and testing requirements.
• Evaluate and manage packaging materials, suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Lead packaging validation activities including transportation tests, shelf-life studies and process qualification.
• Support investigations, CAPA, risk assessments and root cause analysis for packaging issues.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Procurement, Marketing and Sales.
• Identify and implement sustainability initiatives, recyclability improvements and alternative materials.

Skills

Fluent English

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Collaboration

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Packaging Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering

Six Sigma, Lean, PMP, IoPP or related certifications

Job description

Own Your Future. Impact What Matters.

Share our passion for protecting people and vital resources? Ready to harness your talent in ways that matter? Eager to work for a market leading company where your own success fuels that of your customers? For our high-tech R&D center we are currently looking for a

Principal Packaging Engineer based in Monheim am Rhein (GER) or Northwich or Llantrisant (UK) (fixed term contract until December 2027)

Key Focus

You will provide strategic packaging leadership across global product portfolios by ensuring packaging systems meet customer expectations, regulatory requirements, sustainability goals, product performance needs, and operational requirements throughout the product lifecycle.

Own Your Future. Impact What Matters.

Share our passion for protecting people and vital resources? Ready to harness your talent in ways that matter? Eager to work for a market leading company where your own success fuels that of your customers? For our high-tech R&D center we are currently looking for a Principal Packaging Engineer based in Monheim am Rhein (GER) or Northwich or Llantrisant (UK) (fixed term contract until December 2027)

Key Focus

You will provide strategic packaging leadership across global product portfolios by ensuring packaging systems meet customer expectations, regulatory requirements, sustainability goals, product performance needs, and operational requirements throughout the product lifecycle.

You will serve as the primary packaging expert supporting new product development, commercialization, lifecycle management, sustainability initiatives, regulatory compliance, and supplier innovation.

Your Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, qualification, validation, and commercialization of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions across the Life Sciences portfolio.
• Serve as the technical owner for packaging-related specifications, standards, change management activities, and compliance documentation.
• Drive packaging strategies that support product quality, customer requirements, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and sustainability objectives.
• Lead packaging activities throughout the product development lifecycle utilizing a structured innovation process (Phase Gate, Stage Gate, Design Control, or equivalent).
• Establish and maintain packaging design standards, material specifications, testing requirements, and best practices.
• Evaluate, qualify, and manage packaging materials, suppliers, and manufacturing partners.
• Lead packaging validation activities including transportation testing, package performance studies, shelf‑life evaluations, compatibility assessments, and packaging process qualification.
• Support investigations, CAPA activities, risk assessments, and root cause analysis related to packaging performance and quality issues.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Procurement, Marketing, and Sales teams to deliver successful product launches and lifecycle improvements.
• Identify and implement sustainability initiatives including packaging reduction, recyclability improvements, PCR implementation, PFAS elimination strategies, and alternative material technologies.
• Monitor and interpret emerging packaging regulations and industry trends including PPWR, EPR requirements, sustainability legislation, customer expectations, and evolving GMP requirements.
• Support customer audits, regulatory inspections, supplier audits, and compliance initiatives by providing packaging expertise.
• Drive innovation by scouting emerging packaging technologies, materials, digital packaging solutions, and market trends.

Your Profile

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Packaging Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of packaging engineering experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, diagnostics, healthcare, specialty chemical, personal care, food, or similarly regulated industries.
• Strong understanding of packaging development, material selection, package testing, supplier qualification, and product commercialization.
• Working knowledge of regulated manufacturing environments including GMP principles, quality systems, traceability requirements, change control, risk management, and documentation practices.
• Experience supporting new product development and commercialization through structured development processes such as Phase Gate, Stage Gate, Design Control, or equivalent methodologies.
• Knowledge of packaging sustainability principles and evolving regulatory requirements, including PPWR, global food contact and drinking water packaging regulations and related European packaging legislation.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and influencing stakeholders across multiple functions and regions.
• Strong problem‑solving, analytical, and risk assessment skills.
• Demonstrated ability to balance compliance, innovation, cost, sustainability, and operational needs.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Fluent English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, diagnostics, or contamination‑control industries.
• Knowledge of sterile manufacturing environments, contamination control practices, aseptic processing, or sterilization technologies.
• Experience with packaging validation, transportation testing, shelf‑life studies, or packaging process qualification.
• Knowledge of container closure integrity assessment, tamper‑evident packaging, product traceability, serialization, or related technologies.
• Familiarity with European and global packaging regulations impacting regulated industries.
• Experience with packaging line automation and manufacturing process optimization.
• Experience managing packaging suppliers and external development partners.
• Six Sigma, Lean, PMP, IoPP, or related professional certifications.
• Valid EU Driving License

Our Offer

• Working in a dynamic, cooperative and global environment
• Personal and professional growth opportunities and intensive training on the job with a hands‑on approach
• Attractive salary, extensive benefits and pension plan
• Complementary access to our in‑house gym, massage chairs and parking lot
• Coffee‑connect‑areas, company canteen and think tanks

About Ecolab

At Ecolab, we prioritize our talent‑first philosophy by creating the most capable and diverse team to excel at our nearly three million customer sites. Building on a century of innovation, our 48,000 associates help deliver comprehensive science‑based solutions, data‑driven insights and world‑class service to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, and optimize water and energy use, and improve operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, life sciences, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world. Our solutions not only enhance operational efficiency but also contribute to sustainability and public health, making a positive impact on the world. We are committed to eliminating unnecessary complexities and embracing a beginner's mindset, continuously seeking new perspectives and innovative solutions to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world. Ecolab’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) reflects our longstanding value to working together to integrate diverse perspectives to challenge ourselves, reach our goals and do what’s right.

Join Ecolab And Help Us Protect What’s Vital.

Our Commitment to a Culture of Inclusion & Belonging

Ecolab is committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants and furthering the principles of Equal Opportunity to Employment. We will recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement based on individual qualifications and job performance in all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement. Ecolab will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin,citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, or disability.