Contract Packaging Engineer

Exploding Kittens; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 55,104 - 82,656; Part time

Job summary

Exploding Kittens is seeking a Packaging Engineer to design and refine dielines, size boxes and packouts, and ensure packages are durable, cost-effective, and production-ready. This role partners with Art, PMO, and Production to align packaging with game content and shelf goals, while supporting multiple titles in development.

The position is part-time, temporary, about 15–20 hours per week for roughly three months, with potential extension.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Structural Packaging Design, Product Design, or related field.
• Strong proficiency in Illustrator and InDesign; CAD/3D modeling experience is a plus.
• Experience in toy, game, consumer product, or retail packaging preferred.
• Strong understanding of packaging manufacturing processes, materials, dielines, and production requirements.
• Ability to review BOMs and determine appropriate box sizes, insert structures, and packaging dimensions.
• Excellent organization and time management; capable of managing multiple SKUs and deadlines.
• Clear visual, verbal, and written communication; able to present technical recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Execute packaging engineering and dieline creation for new games, including boxes, inserts, trays, and packout.
• Review BOMs to size game boxes and internal components based on content and costs.
• Recommend insert tray structures and packout solutions for protection, setup, and efficiency.
• Collaborate with Art, PMO, and Production to align packaging with goals and quality standards.
• Provide feedback on structural changes and resolve issues before final production.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, material efficiency, and durability improvements.
• Maintain organized files with proper layers, naming conventions, and specifications.

Skills

Illustrator

InDesign

CAD/3D modeling

Packaging design

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or related field

Job description

The Packaging Engineer plays a critical role in bringing our games to life by developing structural packaging solutions from initial component review through production‑ready files. In this role, you'll be responsible for creating and refining dielines, recommending box sizing and packout solutions, and ensuring every package is functional, durable, cost‑effective, and ready for manufacturing.

The ideal candidate has experience designing packaging for consumer products, toys, games, or similar products, along with a strong understanding of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and structural design. We're looking for someone who enjoys solving complex packaging challenges, has an exceptional eye for detail, and thrives in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment. You'll partner closely with our Art, Project Management, and Production teams while supporting multiple products at various stages of development.

If you're someone who loves figuring out how everything fits together, gets excited about creating packaging that's both beautiful and functional, and enjoys finding smart, efficient solutions without compromising the customer experience, you'll fit right in.

This is a part‑time, temporary contract position for the role of Packaging Engineer, requiring approximately 15-20 hours per week. The contract is anticipated to run for approximately three months, with the possibility of extension based on business needs.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Execute packaging engineering and custom die line creation for new games, including boxes, inserts, trays, instructions, packout, and other packaging components.
• Review the Bills of Materials (BOMs) and other supporting documentation to understand game contents in order to provide appropriate sizing for the game box and all internal components based on component count, product goals, shelf considerations, cost targets, and customer experience.
• Recommend insert tray structures and packout solutions that organize and protect components while supporting ease of setup, intuitive unboxing and repacking, cost efficiency, and production feasibility.
• Work cross‑functionally with Art, PMO, and Production to ensure packaging supports product goals, creative direction, player experience, manufacturing requirements, and quality standards.
• Review factory adjusted die lines and provide clear feedback on structural changes, including whether to move forward with vendor recommendations. Identify and resolve structural, material, sizing, packout, or production issues before files move into final production.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, material efficiency, production efficiency, and structural improvements without compromising quality, durability, or customer experience.
• Maintain clean, organized files with properly marked layers, specification, and naming conventions according to company standards.

WHAT WE NEED

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Structural Packaging Design, Product Design, or a related field preferred.
• Strong proficiency in Illustrator and InDesign. Experience in CAD or 3D modeling software is a plus.
• Experience in toy, game, consumer product, or retail packaging experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of packaging manufacturing processes, materials, construction methods, dielines, and production requirements.
• Ability to review BOMs and component lists, understand product packout needs, and recommend appropriate box sizes, insert structures, instruction formats, and packaging component dimensions.
• Excellent organization and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple SKUs and deadlines simultaneously.
• Clear visual, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to present structural recommendations, risks, tradeoffs, problems, and solutions to different audiences.
• Comfort working under tight deadlines while maintaining accuracy, quality, and attention to detail.