Associate Structural Designer

Menasha Corporation; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Menasha Corporation is seeking an Associate Structural Designer to create and develop innovative packaging solutions. You will design, specify, and prototype packaging materials, balancing aesthetics, strength, cost, and manufacturability for functional, appealing results.

Collaborate with sales, production, graphics, and project management; translate customer needs into viable packaging; develop prototypes; manage multiple projects, and maintain documentation and version control throughout the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 0–3+ years of experience in structural design, packaging design, or a related field.
• Experience with CAD software (e.g., ArtiosCAD or similar) preferred.
• Basic knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and testing methods.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed structural packaging designs using CAD tools and design software.
• Translate customer requirements, product specifications, and brand objectives into viable packaging solutions.
• Ensure designs optimize material usage, performance, and manufacturability.
• Apply knowledge of corrugated, paperboard, and other packaging materials to design practical solutions.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment throughout the design process.
• Engage with customers to understand needs, refine design concepts, and present solutions.
• Develop prototypes, mock-ups, and samples for customer presentations and internal validation.
• Coordinate with sample-making teams and production facilities as needed.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and priorities are met.
• Provide regular status updates to stakeholders and proactively communicate risks or delays.
• Maintain organized documentation and version control for all design files.
• Assist in creating detailed specifications, drawings, and production documentation.
• Ensure all designs are clearly communicated for manufacturing, including dimensions, materials, and assembly requirements.
• Support the transition from design to production by ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Participate in or lead packaging performance testing and analyze results to refine designs.

Skills

CAD software

Packaging design

Communication

Attention to detail

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, or related field

Tools

ArtiosCAD

Job description

ABOUT US (AND OUR EXCITING FUTURE)

Menasha Corporation is all about possibilities. Our two businesses, Menasha Packaging and ORBIS Corporation, are leaders in their industries, providing corrugated and plastic packaging products and related services to major global companies.

Our employees make the difference, proving that great ideas, collaboration and quality turn possibilities into success. Working at Menasha Corporation means that your insights provide cutting-edge solutions for our customers. If you like to make things happen and are passionate about what you do, you’re going to want to be here.

Join us and become part of the power behind possible.

About The Opportunity

The Associate Structural Designer is responsible for creating and developing innovative packaging solutions. Responsible for design, specifications, and prototypes of packaging materials, considering factors like visual aesthetics, structural integrity, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturability while ensuring that products are packaged in a way that is both functional and appealing.

Structural Design & Development

• Create detailed structural packaging designs using CAD tools and design software
• Translate customer requirements, product specifications, and brand objectives into viable packaging solutions
• Ensure designs optimize material usage, performance, and manufacturability
• Apply knowledge of corrugated, paperboard, and other packaging materials to design practical solutions

Collaboration & Communication

• Partner with internal stakeholders (sales, production, graphics, and project management) to ensure alignment throughout the design process
• Engage with customers to understand needs, refine design concepts, and present solutions
• Incorporate feedback and adjust designs to meet evolving requirements

Prototyping & Sampling

• Develop prototypes, mock-ups, and samples for customer presentations and internal validation
• Support sales teams with compelling visual and functional packaging samples
• Coordinate with sample-making teams and production facilities as needed

Project Management

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and priorities are met
• Provide regular status updates to stakeholders and proactively communicate risks or delays
• Maintain organized documentation and version control for all design files

Specifications & Documentation

• Assist in creating detailed specifications, drawings, and production documentation
• Ensure all designs are clearly communicated for manufacturing, including dimensions, materials, and assembly requirements
• Support the transition from design to production by ensuring accuracy and completeness

Testing & Validation

• Participate in or lead packaging performance testing (compression, transit, durability, etc.)
• Analyze test results and refine designs to improve performance and cost-efficiency
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements, quality standards, and industry guidelines

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 0–3+ years of experience in structural design, packaging design, or a related field
• Experience with CAD software (e.g., ArtiosCAD or similar) preferred
• Basic knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and testing methods
• Strong communication and organizational skills

Core Competencies

• Technical Design Skills: Strong understanding of structural packaging design principles and materials
• Problem Solving: Ability to develop creative, practical, and cost-effective solutions
• Attention to Detail: Precision in design specifications and documentation
• Collaboration: Works effectively across teams and builds strong relationships
• Time Management: Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Customer Focus: Understands and delivers on customer needs and expectations

Two companies, one vision.

Menasha Corporation consists of two companies that are leading the way to a sustainable future with packaging and supply chain solutions. Founded in 1849 and headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, we employ over 7,500 employees in 112 facilities in North America and Europe.

Our companies are leading corrugated and plastic packaging manufacturers and supply chain solution providers. Our Menasha Packaging Company is the largest independent provider of packaging and supply chain service solutions for over 1,800 brands, both in-store and online.

Our ORBIS business believes there is a better way to optimize today’s supply chains, with reusable packaging products and services. Reusable containers, pallets, dunnage, bulk systems and metal racks improve the flow product all along the supply chain to reduce costs, enhance profitability and add sustainability.

Our products and services are used by global, name-brand companies in the food, beverage, health and beauty, over-the-counter pharmaceutical, industrial, automotive, and electronics industries.

Come build an exciting, rewarding career with us, where you’ll have opportunities to grow.

The possibilities are endless. The power is yours!

Menasha Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will be provided with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or genetic information.