Engineering Manager – Materials & Converting

Pregis-3; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Pregis, Aurora, IL, is hiring an Engineering Manager – Materials & Converting to lead NPD projects and drive sustainable packaging innovations. The role reports to the Vice-President, Technology and will be based in Aurora, IL.

The position requires 12–15 years of experience in mechanical/electrical/manufacturing engineering, a BS in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, and hands-on leadership on capital projects, PLC/HMI programming, and packaging equipment.

Qualifications

• Education: BS Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience: 12–15 years in mechanical/electrical/manufacturing plant engineering.
• Leadership: oversee groups or individuals on root-cause analysis.
• Technical: PLC and HMI programming; servo and stepper control.
• Systems: pneumatic controls, 3-phase power, transformers and switchgear.
• Project: Capital project management and end-to-end planning.
• Compliance: CE safety requirements knowledge.
• Manufacturing support: new equipment in plant and maintenance.
• Training: coordinate operator and maintenance training.
• NPD: new product development and concept validation.
• Communication: strong cross-functional messaging.
• Adaptability: pivot with changing business priorities.
• Delivery: manage multiple projects with minimal oversight.
• Leadership on floor during trials with operations.
• Physical: able to stand long durations.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from development through commercialization via NPC process.
• Create roadmaps to prove concepts, via recommended modifications to manufacturing or pilot equipment.
• Collaborate with external partners to accelerate development.
• Manage projects and mentor team members on vendors and management.
• Execute multiple paths to create consumable prototypes.

Skills

Leadership

Root cause analysis

Communication

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Manufacturing/plant engineering

Power systems (3-phase)

Safety compliance CE

NPD product development

Facility wiring

Education

Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

PLC programming

HMI programming

Servo/Stepper control

Pneumatic systems

3-phase power knowledge

Vendors management

Job description

Aurora, IL, USA

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 5:00 AM

We're Not Just in the Packaging Business–We're in the "Wow" Business

Pregis is Hiring!

Why Join Pregis?

Pregis is in the packaging business to protect what matters. We are committed to providing our customers and employees sustainable growth through purpose-driven innovation and customer-centric packaging solutions. If you are looking for a company that is thriving across various high growth industries and is innovative, customer focused, high integrity, believes in strong teamwork and collaboration, Pregis is the company for you. Check out the Pregis Purpose to learn how sustainability and social responsibility is at the very core of our company DNA.

Job Description
To support Pregis’ aggressive growth plans, the Engineering Manager – Materials & Converting will lead NPD projects and innovation initiatives across Pregis. Key initiatives include driving sustainable consumable product offering through material development and next generation converting technologies.

Critical is this role is the need to understand the converting technology and fitness-for use of the products in application for our markets. This role will report to the Vice-President, Technology and be based in Aurora, IL.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from development through to commercialization using the NPC (New Product Commercialization) process
• Create roadmap to prove out concepts, via recommended modifications to manufacturing or pilot equipment
• Work strategically with approved external partners to accelerate development and ideation
• Manage projects while mentoring and support team members on projects, vendor selection and management
• Execution of multiple project paths to prove out concepts, build and/or modify pilot equipment to create consumable product prototypes

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• Technical skills: A minimum of 12-15 years’ experience in a combination of roles as mechanical/ electrical/ manufacturing/ plant engineer. Working predominantly in plastic, paper, nonwoven web handling manufacturing environments.
• Leadership – Proven experience leading a group or individuals on root cause analysis on manufacturing equipment, in person or remote – Occam’s Razor
• PLC programming; HMI programming
• Servo and Stepper motor control programming
• Basic understanding of pneumatic systems and controls
• Understanding of 3 phase power, line transformers, 3-phase power distribution, switch gear, facility wiring, and machine connection.
• Capital Project Management
• Project Planning from start to finish which includes all aspects in scheduling/allocating resources, tracking budget, documentation, reviewing vendor quotes and conducting analysis, providing internal updates to stakeholders, managing work streams, and project installs
• Knowledge of Safety requirements CE compliance
• Support new equipment in manufacturing environment and maintenance
• Coordinate operator and maintenance training
• NPD Product Development
• The ability to understand machine capability
• Able to conceptually design and chose machine build partner, and align resources to projects
• Retain and build a trusted network of external service providers, including machine shops, electricians, control/system integrators.
• Strong communication skills and proven ability to effectively deliver critical messaging to cross functional stakeholders, internally and externally
• Demonstrated and proven ability to pivot, adapt, and flex to changing business priorities
• Proven experience in managing multiple projects with minimal oversight and ability to prioritize and manage multiple simultaneous work-streams
• Provide leadership on the manufacturing floor during trials while working side-by-side with operations.
• Physical: Requires standing for long periods of time for varied durations of time; as much as up to 12 hours.

Travel

This role will require travel to Pregis facilities, Vendors, and Customers of approximately 30%.

Compensation

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of Pregis’ total compensation package. The base pay range for this role is estimated to be $155,000 to $175,000, depending on experience and skills.

Compensation details listed in US job postings reflect base salary only and do not include benefits. Learn more about Benefits at Pregis .

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Diversity and Inclusion

We believe in diversity of thought and bringing together other traits and characteristics that make an individual bring a unique experience to Pregis.We strive to foster an inclusive environment where behaviors and social norms ensure people are welcome.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement/Inclusion

We offer equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We support inclusion and believe in welcoming a collective sum of individual differences, thoughts, traits, and characteristics to represent Pregis’ culture and achievements.