Innovation Engineer

ProAmpac; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision

Paid time off and holidays

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

ProAmpac is seeking an Innovation Engineer to advance recyclable and compostable fiber-based packaging. You will drive hands-on development, lab evaluation, scale-up, and customer collaboration to bring new technologies to market.

The role requires a strong fiber science background and experience coordinating across R&D, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams. Expect travel to support work with mills, customers, and suppliers.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in a chemical, paper, packaging, or materials science field.
• Strong knowledge of fiber technologies and papermaking processes.
• Experience guiding product development from concept to manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Develop sustainable fiber-based packaging platforms and technologies.
• Support new product development from lab concept to scale-up.
• Collaborate with brands, mills, suppliers, and customers on innovations.
• Apply fiber science to improve paper performance and functionality.
• Lead testing, trials, and qualification of substrates and processes.

Skills

Fiber science

Papermaking

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem solving

Technical communication

Education

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

Master's degree in Paper Science

Master's degree in Fiber Science

Master's degree in Materials Science

Master's degree in Packaging Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Innovation Engineer – Sustainable Fiber Packaging Innovation

Are you passionate about developing sustainable packaging solutions that make a real impact? Do you enjoy solving complex material challenges, working with innovative technologies, and transforming ideas into commercially successful products? Join ProAmpac, a global leader in flexible packaging, where you'll help shape the future of recyclable and compostable fiber-based packaging solutions.

Description

Innovation Engineer – Sustainable Fiber Packaging Innovation

Are you passionate about developing sustainable packaging solutions that make a real impact? Do you enjoy solving complex material challenges, working with innovative technologies, and transforming ideas into commercially successful products? Join ProAmpac, a global leader in flexible packaging, where you'll help shape the future of recyclable and compostable fiber-based packaging solutions.

At ProAmpac, we're more than a packaging company. We're an innovative team committed to sustainability, continuous improvement, and helping our employees grow their careers.

Our Core Values

• Integrity
• Intensity
• Innovation
• Involvement
• Impact

Compensation

$85,000 - $110,000 base salary

About The Role

We are seeking an Innovation Engineer to support the development and commercialization of sustainable flexible fiber-based packaging solutions. This role combines hands‑on product development, laboratory evaluation, quality testing, manufacturing scale‑up, and customer collaboration to bring innovative packaging technologies from concept to commercialization.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in fiber science, papermaking, paper technology, packaging materials, or related engineering disciplines. You'll work closely with R&D, manufacturing, quality, commercial teams, customers, and suppliers to develop next‑generation recyclable and compostable packaging solutions that advance ProAmpac's sustainability initiatives.

This position can be based in Cincinnati, OH or Rochester, NY. Travel is estimated at approximately 15-20% and may include customer visits, supplier meetings, manufacturing trials, and trade shows.

What You'll Do

• Research, develop, and implement innovative sustainable fiber‑based packaging platforms and technologies.
• Support new product development initiatives from laboratory concept through manufacturing scale‑up and commercialization.
• Collaborate with global and national brands to develop innovative packaging solutions and identify emerging technologies.
• Partner with paper mills, suppliers, product development teams, manufacturing, quality, sales, and customers to evaluate materials, processes, and packaging performance.
• Apply fiber science and papermaking knowledge to improve paper performance, strength, and functionality.
• Support the qualification and validation of substrates, development materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Develop and evaluate barrier coatings and aqueous‑based heat seal technologies for paper packaging applications.
• Conduct laboratory testing, product evaluations, manufacturing trials, and customer trials.
• Provide technical support and root‑cause analysis for product quality and manufacturing challenges.
• Utilize project management and cost analysis tools to drive innovation projects and support commercialization efforts.
• Support customer innovation sessions and provide technical expertise during product development discussions.
• Validate materials and processes in accordance with FDA standards and applicable industry requirements.

What You Bring

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Paper Science, Fiber Science, Materials Science, Packaging Engineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent experience will also be considered.
• Strong understanding of fiber technologies, papermaking processes, paper performance, and material development.
• Experience supporting product development projects from concept through manufacturing implementation.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, material qualification, and scale‑up methodologies.
• Experience with FDA requirements, ISO standards, or related quality systems.
• Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, manufacturing teams, technical personnel, and executive leadership.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to independently assess technical challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative innovation environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in fiber‑based flexible packaging, paper packaging, or sustainable packaging development.
• Experience working with paper mills or within the paper manufacturing industry.
• Knowledge of fiber types, additives, and paper chemistry.
• Experience with aqueous‑based heat seal coatings or barrier coating technologies.
• Packaging industry experience supporting commercialization and manufacturing scale‑up efforts.
• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Fiber Science, Paper Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• Statistics and Statistical Process Control (SPC) training.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation
• 401(k) with company match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Exposure to cutting‑edge sustainable packaging innovation initiatives
• Collaboration with industry‑leading experts, paper mills, suppliers, and global brands
• A culture focused on innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

Education

• 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