Lead Packaging Engineer: End-to-End Solutions

industrialfabricators; Gastonia (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

IFAB Corp. in Gastonia, NC is seeking a Packaging Engineer to own the packaging development lifecycle from concept to production, coordinating with Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing, and Suppliers.

You will design and validate packaging for WIP and Finished Goods, manage multiple projects, develop CAD drawings, specify materials, and drive cost reduction and waste elimination while meeting customer and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• Experience designing packaging solutions in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar).
• Knowledge of packaging materials including corrugated, foam, dunnage, returnable containers, steel racks, and custom packaging.
• Experience managing multiple engineering projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead the complete packaging lifecycle from concept through implementation.
• Design packaging solutions for stamped, laser-cut, formed, welded, coated, and fabricated metal components.
• Define the best packaging strategy based on product characteristics, manufacturing flow, transportation requirements, customer expectations, and cost.
• Develop prototypes, build packaging samples, and validate solutions before production release.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve packaging performance, reduce costs, and eliminate waste.
• Analyze packaging challenges and develop practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Perform packaging validation including drop, vibration, compression, stack, and transportation testing.
• Modify packaging designs based on testing results, production feedback, or customer requirements.
• Support Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) affecting packaging.
• Partner with Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing, Tooling, and Suppliers throughout program launches.
• Coordinate packaging activities for new product launches and engineering changes.
• Communicate project status, risks, and timelines effectively.
• Manage multiple projects while maintaining ownership of deliverables.
• Define packaging specifications and source packaging materials.
• Establish MOQ, MPQ, reorder points, and inventory strategies.
• Monitor packaging inventory to ensure uninterrupted production.
• Collaborate with suppliers to improve quality, cost, and lead times.
• Create and maintain packaging drawings using CAD.
• Develop and update Work Instructions (WIs), SOPs, BOMs, packaging specifications, and revision histories.
• Ensure packaging documentation remains current and compliant with company quality standards.
• Train production personnel on new packaging methods and procedures when required.

Skills

Packaging engineering

CAD skills

Project management

Problem solving

Communication

Independent work

Packaging materials knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in Packaging Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

IFAB Corp. in Gastonia, NC is seeking a Packaging Engineer to own the packaging development lifecycle from concept to production, coordinating with Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing, and Suppliers.

You will design and validate packaging for WIP and Finished Goods, manage multiple projects, develop CAD drawings, specify materials, and drive cost reduction and waste elimination while meeting customer and quality standards.