Lead Packaging Engineer - Capital Projects & Automation

Judge Direct Placement; Murfreesboro (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Judge Group is seeking a Packaging Engineer for the Murfreesboro, TN area. The role focuses on leading packaging equipment installations, automation upgrades, and capital improvement projects within a manufacturing environment.

The engineer will manage budgets, schedules, and vendor contracts while coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure successful equipment startup, validation, and operational readiness.

Qualifications

• 5+ years engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing capital projects, equipment installations, and manufacturing process improvements.
• Experience using AutoCAD or similar engineering design software.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging capital projects from concept through design, procurement, installation, commissioning, validation, and final project handoff, ensuring delivery on scope, schedule, budget, and performance objectives.
• Manage project budgets, capital approval processes, forecasting, vendor contracts, purchase orders, and change management activities to maintain financial control and project alignment.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, coordinate equipment procurement and logistics, oversee vendor and contractor activities, and ensure seamless execution within active manufacturing environments.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, R&D, and Supply Chain teams to align project requirements, support product and packaging trials, and drive successful equipment startup and operational readiness.
• Translate business growth and capacity requirements into technical packaging solutions, equipment specifications, and system designs that support long-term operational objectives.
• Lead supplier selection activities, including RFQ development, technical evaluations, contract negotiations, and vendor performance management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying and implementing opportunities to enhance packaging efficiency, reliability, throughput, quality, and overall manufacturing performance.
• Provide technical leadership and troubleshooting support for packaging systems, while developing maintenance capabilities and promoting best practices across plant operations.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, and corporate standards throughout all phases of project execution, while maintaining accurate project documentation and reporting.

Skills

Project management

Automation

Engineering leadership

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

The Judge Group is seeking a Packaging Engineer for the Murfreesboro, TN area. The role focuses on leading packaging equipment installations, automation upgrades, and capital improvement projects within a manufacturing environment.

The engineer will manage budgets, schedules, and vendor contracts while coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure successful equipment startup, validation, and operational readiness.