Innovation Engineer

ProAmpac; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ProAmpac in Cincinnati, OH is seeking an Innovation Engineer to advance sustainable flexible fiber packaging from concept through scale-up and market validation. You will work with R&D, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams to evaluate materials, run trials, and support commercialization.

The role emphasizes design, process development, and collaboration with global brands, ensuring FDA-aligned validation and cost-effective product delivery.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required, preferably chemical engineering, paper/pulp/fiber science or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Statistics and statistical process control training.
• Experience with FDA requirements and ISO standards.
• Solid working knowledge of development processes and related manufacturing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Visio, Teams, and Outlook.
• Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive information.
• Excellent time management and organization skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, staff, and clients.
• Self-motivated, proactive and able to work in fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Research, design and develop sustainable flexible fiber packaging platforms.
• Scale up from trials to full scale manufacturing.
• Collaborate with global brands to develop new product concepts.
• Work with cross-functional teams to define specifications and control materials and processes.
• Support qualification of substrates and development materials and processes.
• Provide technical support to solve product quality problems.
• Lead cost analyses and drive product development projects.
• Support marketing with product performance data and technical information.
• Lead customer innovation sessions to develop new concepts.
• Validate materials and processes per FDA standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Time management

Presentation skills

Education

Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering or Fiber Science

Statistics / SPC training

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Visio

Teams

Outlook

Job description

Description

The Innovation Engineer will support the development and commercialization of sustainable flexible fiber-based packaging solutions (recyclable and compostable) through hands-on product development, laboratory evaluation, quality testing, and customer trial support. This role works cross-functionally with R&D, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams to advance innovative packaging technologies from concept through scale-up and market validation.

Essential Duties And Tasks

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Knows and follows all safety policies and procedures

• Research, design, understand the fundamentals and develop new sustainable flexible fiber packaging platforms. Staying up to date on Recyclable and Compostable regulations and requirements.
• Implement products and structures for new or improved existing products. Follow through from trials to full scale manufacturing.
• Collaborating with global and national brands to develop innovative new product concepts. Identifying new developments and technologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams as well as local product development engineers and material & process suppliers, industry experts, manufacturing, sales, and customers to develop specifications, evaluate, and control properties of substrates, materials and processes
• Supporting the qualification of substrates, development materials, and processes used in the manufacture of products
• Provide technical support in solving product quality problems
• Utilize project management skills and complete cost analysis to effectively drive product development and innovation projects
• Support marketing requests for product performance and technical information
• Support and/or lead customer innovation sessions aimed at developing new product concepts
• Validate materials and processes in accordance with FDA standards
• All other duties as assigned

Description

The Innovation Engineer will support the development and commercialization of sustainable flexible fiber-based packaging solutions (recyclable and compostable) through hands-on product development, laboratory evaluation, quality testing, and customer trial support. This role works cross-functionally with R&D, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams to advance innovative packaging technologies from concept through scale-up and market validation.

Essential Duties And Tasks

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Knows and follows all safety policies and procedures

• Research, design, understand the fundamentals and develop new sustainable flexible fiber packaging platforms. Staying up to date on Recyclable and Compostable regulations and requirements.
• Implement products and structures for new or improved existing products. Follow through from trials to full scale manufacturing.
• Collaborating with global and national brands to develop innovative new product concepts. Identifying new developments and technologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams as well as local product development engineers and material & process suppliers, industry experts, manufacturing, sales, and customers to develop specifications, evaluate, and control properties of substrates, materials and processes
• Supporting the qualification of substrates, development materials, and processes used in the manufacture of products
• Provide technical support in solving product quality problems
• Utilize project management skills and complete cost analysis to effectively drive product development and innovation projects
• Support marketing requests for product performance and technical information
• Support and/or lead customer innovation sessions aimed at developing new product concepts
• Validate materials and processes in accordance with FDA standards
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications, Education And Experience

• Master’s Degree required, preferably chemical engineering, paper/pulp/Fiber science or equivalent combination of education and experience. Post-graduate degree a plus. Statistics and statistical process control training.
• Experience with FDA requirements and ISO standards.
• Solid working knowledge of development processes and related manufacturing.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point), Visio, Teams, and Outlook
• Maintains strict confidentiality and protects privacy of confidential/sensitive information.
• Exceptional time management and organization skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal, written, and presentations) with executive leadership, staff, and internal and external clients.
• Proactive; exercises sound judgment and decision making; able to identify problems and needs and develop solutions and/or options.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Self-confident, self-motivated polished professional who thrives in a challenging, fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

Education

Required

• Masters or better

Experience

Required

• 2 years: Experience with FDA requirements and ISO standards.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Job Category: Innovation/R&D Full-Time