EFP - Thermal Packaging Engineer - Cold Chain

J.B. Poindexter & Co.; La Vergne, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

EFP's Testing and Development Laboratory in La Vergne, Tennessee seeks a Thermal Packaging Engineer to lead cold chain packaging design, testing, and product development. The role combines hands-on lab work with structured development processes, from requirements through launch readiness.

You will work with Product Management, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to create manufacturable, scalable, and cost-competitive packaging system solutions that meet safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or related field; packaging engineering experience preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in thermal/cold chain packaging or packaging testing.
• Experience from requirements through launch in product development cycles.
• Knowledge of heat transfer, thermal resistance, and refrigerant conditioning.
• Experience with laboratory instrumentation (thermocouples, data loggers, thermal chambers).
• Strong technical writing for customer-ready reports and internal docs.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute thermal test plans for EPS, EPP, PUR, VIP-based shippers and insulation systems.
• Lead engineering activities within a stage-gate product development process.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Management, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain.
• Develop and maintain engineering guidelines on insulation selection and coolant protocols.
• Support customer engagements with test proposals and technical summaries.

Skills

Thermal testing

Data analysis

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

ISTA-style qualification

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD interpretation

Thermocouples

Data loggers

Thermal chambers

Job description

Thermal Packaging Engineer - Cold Chain

La Vergne, TN Testing and Development Lab (Greater Nashville area)

JOB SUMMARY

The Thermal Packaging Engineer leads and executes cold chain packaging design, testing, and product development activities from EFP’s Testing and Development Laboratory in La Vergne, Tennessee.

This role combines hands‑on laboratory execution, including thermal testing, pack‑outs, and instrumentation, with structured product development practices such as requirements definition, verification and validation, and launch readiness.

The Thermal Packaging Engineer partners closely with Product Management, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to develop packaging systems that are manufacturable, scalable, and cost‑competitive while maintaining compliance with safety and quality standards.

DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Thermal Performance Engineering and Lab Execution

• o Design and execute thermal test plans for cold chain packaging systems, including EPS, EPP, PUR, and VIP‑based shippers, as well as fiber insulation systems, gel and PCM refrigerants, and dry ice configurations.
• o Run standardized and customer‑specific test profiles including ambient, seasonal, and lane‑based profiles, ensuring proper instrumentation, calibration verification, and data integrity.
• o Perform packaging pack‑outs and maintain build documentation including bills of material, assembly instructions, photographs, and test records.
• o Analyze thermal performance results and translate data into actionable design improvements related to hold time, risk reduction, cost optimization, and sustainability.

Product Development and Commercialization

• o Lead engineering activities within a structured product development or stage‑gate process including requirements definition, feasibility, risk assessment, design iterations, verification and validation, and product release.
• o Collaborate cross‑functionally with Product Management, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to develop packaging systems that are manufacturable, scalable, and cost‑competitive.
• o Develop and maintain engineering and design guidelines related to insulation selection, effective thermal resistance, convection control, void management, and refrigerant conditioning protocols.
• o Support customer technical engagements including development of test proposals, preparation of technical summaries, and delivery of performance recommendations.

Documentation, Quality, and Continuous Improvement

• o Prepare clear and professional technical reports including methods, assumptions, data analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.
• o Maintain laboratory best practices including equipment care, calibration coordination, organization, safety compliance, and repeatable test execution.
• o Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to test methods, turnaround time, reporting templates, and knowledge capture.
• o Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• o Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or a closely related engineering field with relevant packaging engineering experience strongly preferred.
• o Minimum of 3 years of experience in thermal packaging, cold chain packaging, or package performance testing.
• o Demonstrated experience in product development from requirements through launch, including prototypes, testing cycles, design revisions, and release documentation.
• o Working knowledge of thermal packaging fundamentals including heat transfer principles, effective thermal resistance, convection pathways, and refrigerant selection and conditioning.
• o Experience working with laboratory instrumentation such as thermocouples, data loggers, and thermal chambers, along with basic statistical analysis and data visualization.
• o Strong technical writing skills with the ability to produce customer‑ready reports and internal engineering documentation.
• o Experience with ISTA‑style thermal qualification, cold chain materials, CAD interpretation, or manufacturing transfer is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• o Frequent standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, and use of hands and hand‑eye coordination.
• o Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 30 pounds.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

• o Safety glasses are required in the laboratory and plant environments.
• o Hearing protection is required in designated production areas.
• o Safety or steel‑toed shoes are required in the plant environments.
• o Use of standard laboratory personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to all EFP safety practices and protocols are required.