Molded Fiber Process Engineer (mid- or senior level)

Dart Container; Michigan; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k) with company matching

Paid vacation & holidays

Tuition assistance

Product discounts

Job summary

Dart Container is seeking a Molded Fiber Process Engineer at the Mason, MI facility. The role involves leading and supporting engineering projects across molded fiber manufacturing processes, with extensive travel up to 50% and hands-on production-floor involvement.

Ideal candidates have a strong technical background in molded fiber/paper packaging, 3+ years (4+ for mid-level) in manufacturing, and a proven ability to organize, collaborate, and deliver results in cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering and 3+ years of relevant engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Senior level requires at least 6 years of progressively responsible relevant engineering experience.
• Ability to organize and prioritize projects with limited supervision.
• Willingness to work in production environments and provide hands-on support.
• Ability to travel up to 50% and maintain travel documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support engineering projects focused on molded fiber manufacturing processes, equipment, and technologies.
• Manage and prioritize projects based on size, complexity, business need, and experience level.
• Support critical project work across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and manufacturing approaches for product/process development.
• Troubleshoot production equipment and processes, identify root causes, and develop practical solutions.
• Lead or participate in process-failure investigations and establish consistent solutions across facilities.
• Perform feasibility studies related to fabrication, assembly, machining, and manufacturing processes.
• Develop test parameters and participate in equipment testing, process validation, data analysis, and implementation.
• Establish continuous improvement plans to improve safety, quality, efficiency, or productivity.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, technical documentation, project reports, and engineering recommendations.
• Partner with production, maintenance, quality, engineering, technicians, and cross-functional teams.
• Provide hands-on support during equipment startups and process troubleshooting on production lines.
• Translate broad technical concepts into practical, scalable manufacturing solutions.
• Senior-level candidates may lead large, complex projects and mentor other engineers.

Skills

Project management

Problem solving

Hands-on

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or related field

Job description

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Molded Fiber Process Engineer (mid- or senior level)

Join Dart as a Molded Fiber Process Engineer and help advance our molded fiber manufacturing capabilities. This position will support critical engineering and process-development projects, evaluate future technologies, and help improve processes from raw materials through finished production.

Depending on experience, this position may be filled at the Process Engineer or Senior Process Engineer level. The role is based at our Mason facility and supports projects across multiple manufacturing locations, with travel of up to 50%.

The ideal candidate brings experience in paper and/or molded fiber converting or a related manufacturing processes and is comfortable combining technical analysis with hands‑on production-floor support. Success in this role requires humility, curiosity, personal accountability, and the ability to work independently while building strong partnerships across engineering and plant teams.

What You'll Do

• Lead or support engineering projects focused on molded fiber manufacturing processes, equipment, and technologies.
• Manage and prioritize projects based on size, complexity, business need, and level of experience.
• Support critical project work across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and manufacturing approaches that may support molded fiber product and process development.
• Troubleshoot production equipment and processes, identify root causes, and develop practical engineering solutions.
• Lead or participate in process-failure investigations and help establish consistent solutions across facilities.
• Perform feasibility studies related to fabrication, assembly, machining, and manufacturing processes.
• Develop test parameters and participate in equipment testing, process validation, data analysis, and implementation.
• Establish continuous improvement plans that improve safety, quality, efficiency, productivity, or service.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, technical documentation, project reports, and engineering recommendations.
• Partner with production, maintenance, quality, engineering, technicians, and other cross‑functional teams.
• Provide hands‑on support during equipment startups and process troubleshooting, including working directly with production lines when needed.
• Help translate broad technical concepts into practical and scalable manufacturing solutions.
• Senior‑level candidates may lead large, complex, long‑duration projects and mentor other engineers.

What You'll Bring

We are looking for an engineer who combines strong technical problem‑solving skills with practical, hands‑on manufacturing experience. Direct experience in molded fiber or paper packaging manufacturing is preferred, and candidates with relevant experience in related process‑manufacturing environments are encouraged to apply.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering and at least three (3) years of relevant engineering experience in a manufacturing or production environment. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• For consideration at the Senior Process Engineer level, at least six (6) years of progressively responsible relevant engineering experience, including experience leading complex projects, solving significant process or equipment problems, and coordinating work across technical or operational teams.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize projects, deadlines, and responsibilities with limited supervision.
• Willingness to work in production environments and provide hands‑on equipment and process support.
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role, including travel of up to 50% and maintaining any documentation required for domestic or international business travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with molded fiber products, equipment, and/or manufacturing processes.
• Experience in pulp and paper, paper science, paper manufacturing, paper processing, fiber‑based packaging, thermoforming, injection molding, printing, or another relevant process‑manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Chemical, Industrial, Paper Science.
• Experience evaluating manufacturing technologies, equipment solutions, or potential technical partners.
• Experience with equipment startups, process validation, process development, or multi‑site manufacturing support.
• Experience applying process‑improvement, statistical, or quality tools such as root‑cause analysis, SPC, FMEA, DOE, 8D, Gage R&R, 5S, or comparable methodologies.
• Experience creating technical reports, presentations, operating procedures, and business documentation.

What Makes Someone Successful

Humble and hands‑on: Values the knowledge of operators, technicians, plant teams, and experienced engineers.

Collaborative: Builds productive relationships across locations, departments, and technical disciplines.

Independent: Takes ownership of projects and moves work forward with limited supervision.

Curious: Actively explores new processes, equipment, technologies, and manufacturing methods.

Practical: Translates technical analysis and broad concepts into solutions that work in a manufacturing environment.

Adaptable: Moves comfortably between project planning, data analysis, technical documentation, and production‑floor support.

Reliable: Demonstrates sound judgment, personal accountability, and consistent follow‑through.

This position works across office, production, and warehouse environments depending on the project. Manufacturing‑area conditions may include heat, loud noise, dirt, dust, odors, and fumes. Required personal protective equipment must be worn in designated areas.

Molded Fiber, Molded Fibre, Paper Science, Pulp and Paper, Paper Manufacturing, Fiber Packaging, Sustainable Packaging, Process Engineering, Senior Process Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Process Development, Process Optimization, Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Design of Experiments (DOE), Root Cause Analysis, Process Troubleshooting, Process Validation, Capital Projects, Equipment Commissioning, Equipment Startups, Technology Evaluation, Manufacturing Consulting, Paper Mill Operations, Pulp Manufacturing, Multi‑Site Manufacturing Support, Operational Excellence

Overview: Dart makes everyday products that give people the freedom to enjoy the food & drinks they love, wherever they are. From to‑go containers and dinnerware to tamper‑evident food packaging and even the red SOLO cup, Dart products have been keeping people on the go and having fun for 65 years. We’re a family‑owned, family‑focused company of 12,000 employees united by a shared set of values and dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Mason, MI, with 30 locations in three countries, we’re proud of our ability to innovate, manufacture and lead the way with each new generation of quality products.

Benefits: Dart Container full‑time employees enjoy great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company matching contributions, paid vacation, paid holidays, short‑term disability, tuition assistance, product discounts and more.

Dart Container is a drug‑free workplace. Candidates are subject to a drug test (excluding THC*/marijuana/cannabis) and background check at the time of offer.

*THC testing ONLY when such testing is required by law.
Dart Container is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all candidates for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access this website or for the application process, you should call Dart at(800) 545-3278Ext 3370 or email us [e-mail] calls can be made by dialing 711 or the relay number for your state.

If you experience difficulty applying online, you may call [phone] Ext 3390 or email us at [e-mail] for assistance. #LI-SL1 #LI-Onsite

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