On-Site Packaging Engineer — Automotive Programs

Ghafari Associates; Indiana (PA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ghafari Associates in Warsaw, Indiana, seeks a Packaging Engineer to oversee packaging from prototype design through RFQ, supplier selection, procurement, validation, and production readiness, ensuring parts are protected, cost-effective, ergonomic, and aligned with program timing.

You will work on-site with Purchasing, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and suppliers to resolve design, cost, and timing issues, develop expendable packaging solutions, and drive improvements in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 3+ years of experience in packaging engineering, logistics, or manufacturing engineering, preferably in automotive or high-volume manufacturing.
• 2+ years of experience as expendable packaging estimator or expendable packaging buyer is required.
• Hands on experience developing, validating, and launching shipping packaging solutions for automotive or high-volume manufacturing programs.
• Experience developing returnable and expendable packaging solutions, including racks, custom dunnage, standard containers, bulk containers, and supplier-provided packaging.
• Experience with automotive launch timing, prototype builds, production validation, and SOP readiness.
• Experience identifying cost reduction opportunities through right-sizing, standard containers, improved pack density, reusable packaging, and supplier ownership strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead shipping packaging development from prototype concept through procurement and production readiness.
• Review part characteristics, handling requirements, supplier locations, transportation modes, point-of-use needs, and quality requirements to define appropriate packaging solutions.
• Support the Purchasing team by reviewing expendable packaging forms and supplier-submitted packaging costs to ensure pricing is aligned with market trends.
• Drive cost and density improvements for expendable packaging.
• Coordinate prototype packaging builds, design reviews, stakeholder approvals, fit checks, and validation testing to confirm part protection and usability.
• Support RFQ packages, quote reviews, supplier selection, purchase order timing, and production packaging release with Purchasing and Supply Chain.
• Work with packaging suppliers, fabricators, part suppliers, Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, and Engineering to resolve design, timing, cost, and quality issues.
• Ensure packaging supports safe handling, ergonomic requirements, labeling standards, damage prevention, storage efficiency, and point-of-use delivery.
• Track risks, open issues, supplier deliverables, prototype completion, validation results, purchase order status, and production packaging delivery timing.

Skills

Packaging engineering

Supplier collaboration

Cost reduction

Prototyping

Validation testing

RFQ support

Production packaging

Returnable packaging

Packaging design reviews

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Eng

Logistics/Manufacturing experience

Automotive manufacturing exposure

Tools

CAD drawings

STEP files

Job description

Ghafari Associates in Warsaw, Indiana, seeks a Packaging Engineer to oversee packaging from prototype design through RFQ, supplier selection, procurement, validation, and production readiness, ensuring parts are protected, cost-effective, ergonomic, and aligned with program timing.

You will work on-site with Purchasing, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and suppliers to resolve design, cost, and timing issues, develop expendable packaging solutions, and drive improvements in