Mechanical Engineer – Product Development & Productivity

SONOCO CANADA; Hartsville (SC); On-site; USD 107,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan with company"

Wellbeing tools & EAP

Paid time off & holidays

Employee insurance plans

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sonoco is seeking a Technical Engineer III – Key Projects to lead technical initiatives from inception to commercialization. You will collaborate with engineers, scientists, and cross-functional partners to drive product and process improvements in our paper-based industrial products.

You will work hands-on in R&D facilities, perform deep-dive analytics with Python, Minitab, and Excel, and own project timelines using modern project management tools.

Qualifications

• Education: BS, MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience managing technical and/or engineering projects.
• PM certifications such as PMP/ PMI/ PMI-PPM are a plus.
• Knowledge of the paper industry is a bonus, but passion for innovation is essential.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, and project managers to design, test, and refine products and processes.
• Work directly in R&D facilities alongside technicians to prototype and experiment.
• Identify and pitch opportunities for growth, design optimization, and productivity improvements.
• Use Python, Minitab, and Excel to perform analytics and inform technical decisions.
• Manage project timelines from conception to commercialization using modern PM tools.
• Provide data-driven updates on milestones and strategic alignment.
• Bridge gaps with Operations, Sales, Quality, and Marketing to ensure market needs are met.
• Develop deep technical expertise on materials and products to drive innovation.

Skills

Project management

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Mechanical Engineering (BS/MS/PhD)

Tools

Python

Minitab

Excel

Job description

From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive. Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.

Technical Engineer III – Key Projects Come join our high-impact technology team at Sonoco ($7.5b global leader) dedicated to transforming our industrial paper converting products and processes. We have a fun and supportive environment where innovation is encouraged and rewarded. Specifically, this position is for the management of technical projects relating to product and process developments, product design optimizations and material optimizations, as well as other projects related to supporting our global industrial paper converting businesses. Our goal is to ensure we maintain and build our technology leadership position. The successful execution of projects, adherence to timelines, and the achievement of technical excellence are a must. You will lead various types of technical initiatives, collaborating closely with others in Global Technology & Engineering as well as our cross-functional partners in Sales, Operations, Quality, and Marketing to drive results. Continually looking for innovative ways to drive cost and complexity out of our products is also a key focus area for this team. You will be responsible for projects from inception to development, all the way to successful commercialization. Thus, it is a very rewarding role with opportunities for growth and variety of work. Sonoco is a $7.5 billion company with 127 years of rich history. Based at our Corporate Headquarters in Hartsville, SC, you’ll enjoy the mild South Carolina winter weather and the charm of a smaller town—home to the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM), ranked the #1 Best Public High School in SC and #4 in the nation. Plus, you’re perfectly positioned for weekend escapes: just 2 hours from the SC coast at Myrtle Beach and 4 hours from the Great Smoky Mountains.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Collaborate with Experts: Partner with engineers, scientists, and project managers to design, test, and refine products and processes relating to our paper-based industrial products.
• Be Hands-On: Work directly in our R&D facilities alongside technicians to bring concepts to life through prototyping and experimentation.
• Generate Ideas: Identify and pitch new opportunities for growth, material & product design optimization, and breakthrough productivity initiatives.
• Lead with Data: Use tools like Python, Minitab, and Excel to perform deep-dive analytics and to make informed technical decisions and to identify productivity opportunities.
• Identify projects aimed at making us more competitive on our product designs, materials, or manufacturing processes.
• Own the Lifecycle: Manage project timelines from conception to commercialization using Planner and other modern project management tools.
• Keep Leadership Informed: Provide clear, data-driven updates on project status, milestones, and strategic alignment.
• Bridge the Gaps: Work cross-functionally with Operations, Sales, Quality, and Marketing to identify opportunities and needs as well as to ensure technical solutions meet real-world market needs.
• Build Technical Expertise: Develop a “master-level” understanding of our materials and products—using that depth of knowledge to fuel meaningful innovation.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Education: A BS, MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering (or a related technical field).
• Experience: 5+ years of experience managing technical and/or engineering projects is desired.
• Project Expertise: A proven track record in project management; PMP, PMI, or PPM certifications are a significant plus.
• Technical Savvy: Knowledge of the paper industry is a bonus, but a passion for innovation is essential.
• Collaborative Mindset: You thrive in a team setting and enjoy an environment that rewards creative problem-solving and meaningful innovation.

Compensation: The annual base salary range for this role is $107,440.00 - $120,870.00 At Sonoco Products Company, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive pay and benefits.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
• Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
• Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.

Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE: SON) is a global leader in value-added, sustainable metal and fiber consumer and industrial packaging. The Company is now a multi-billion-dollar enterprise with approximately 22,500 employees working in 270 operations in 40 countries, serving some of the world’s best-known brands. Guided by our purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life., we strive to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence to provide solutions that better serve all our stakeholders and support a more sustainable future. Sonoco was proudly named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek. Sonoco Privacy Policy