Mechanical Engineer – R&D Project Lead

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

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.