Packaging Engineer

Voltava; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Avancez Assembly is seeking a Packaging Engineer to lead design, development, validation, and launch of packaging solutions for a Tier 1 automotive environment. The role supports inbound directed-buy components, internal material flow, and outbound finished goods packaging, including customer-facing racks.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on automotive packaging experience with returnable containers and related packaging systems, plus CAD skills and familiarity with APQP, PPAP, and launch

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of packaging engineering, material handling, logistics engineering, or manufacturing experience.
• Automotive manufacturing or Tier 1 supplier experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience with returnable packaging, dunnage, racks, totes, bulk containers, or expendable packaging.
• CAD experience with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA, NX, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop packaging for inbound components, internal WIP, and outbound finished goods.
• Lead returnable packaging and dunnage development for suppliers.
• Develop and approve final assembly racks that ship to customers and meet specs.
• Translate customer/OEM packaging standards into internal and supplier specs.
• Coordinate packaging trials, fit checks, line trials, tests, and validation.
• Create and maintain packaging specifications, drawings, BOMs, and work instructions.
• Collaborate with suppliers, rack builders, customers, logistics, manufacturing, quality, and engineering.

Skills

Packaging engineering

CAD experience

Material flow

Launch support

Supplier coordination

Packaging documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

CATIA

NX

Job description

Do you want to work at an organization that is people focused, service minded and results oriented, that offers their customers creative problem solving, progressive solutions, and improved outcome? Then Avancez Assembly may be the place for you. We are committed to a culture of excellence, with a focus on best practices and continuous improvement. We understand that our people are our biggest strength, and we know that world‑class service happens because of our capable and valued team members. Whether you are looking for an assembly position or a career in manufacturing management, you can thrive as a member of our team.

Packaging Engineer

We are seeking an experienced Packaging Engineer to lead the design, development, validation, and launch of packaging solutions for a Tier 1 automotive value-added assembly environment. This role will support inbound directed-buy and sourced components, internal material flow, and outbound finished goods packaging, including customer-facing final assembly racks.

The ideal candidate will have hands‑on automotive packaging experience with returnable containers, custom dunnage, steel racks, totes, bulk containers, supplier packaging, customer/OEM packaging requirements, and production launch support.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop packaging for inbound components, internal WIP, and outbound finished goods.
• Lead returnable packaging and dunnage development for directed‑buy and sourced suppliers.
• Develop and approve final assembly racks that ship directly to customers and meet all customer specifications.
• Review customer/OEM packaging standards and translate requirements into internal, supplier, and vendor specifications.
• Coordinate packaging trials, fit checks, line trials, transport testing, and validation.
• Create and maintain packaging specifications, drawings, BOMs, work instructions, pack data, and approval records.
• Work with suppliers, rack builders, packaging vendors, customers, logistics, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, and engineering.
• Support APQP, PPAP, launch readiness, run‑at‑rate, engineering changes, and production issue resolution.
• Optimize packaging for product protection, ergonomics, cost, pack density, freight efficiency, material flow, sustainability, and standardization.
• Resolve packaging‑related issues such as part damage, poor line‑side presentation, container shortages, supplier noncompliance, and customer concerns.
• Manage multiple packaging projects and launch deliverables in a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, or related field.
• 3+ years of packaging engineering, material handling, logistics engineering, or manufacturing experience.
• Automotive manufacturing or Tier 1 supplier experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with returnable packaging, dunnage, racks, totes, bulk containers, or expendable packaging.
• CAD experience with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA, NX, or similar.
• Strong knowledge of material flow, ergonomics, launch support, supplier coordination, and packaging documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with GM, Ford, Stellantis, or other OEM packaging standards and customer portals.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, PFEP, IATF 16949, Lean Manufacturing, and root cause analysis.
• Experience with rack/dunnage RFQs, supplier packaging approvals, packaging validation, and returnable fleet sizing.
• Strong Excel, PowerPoint, ERP/MRP, and packaging database skills.

Candidates residing in California or Colorado are not eligible for remote positions.

Avancez Assembly is an Equal Opportunity and Aff‎irmative Action Employer. This company will provide equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Information collected regarding categories as provided by law will in no way affect the decision regarding an employment application.