Packaging Engineer

Ghafari Associates, LLC; Indiana (PA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Ghafari Associates, LLC is seeking a Packaging Engineer to oversee packaging from prototype concept through RFQ, supplier selection, procurement, validation, and production readiness, ensuring parts are protected and cost‑effective and delivered on schedule.

The role requires hands‑on experience in expendable packaging, supplier coordination, and cost reduction initiatives, with on‑site work at a client location in Warsaw, Indiana.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a 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 an expendable packaging estimator or expendable packaging buyer.
• 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

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication

Packaging validation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD drawings

STEP files

Packaging prints

Supplier design reviews

Job description

Job Overview

General Summary: This role will oversee packaging from prototype design through RFQ, supplier selection, procurement, validation, and production readiness, ensuring parts are protected, cost‑effective, ergonomic, and delivered in alignment with program timing. This position will also be expected to work on‑site at a client location in Warsaw, Indiana.

Essential Job Functions

• 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.

Employment Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a 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 an expendable packaging estimator or expendable packaging buyer.
• 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.

Skills & Competencies

• Familiarity with packaging specification forms, packaging guidelines, PFEP data, fleet sizing, density studies, and containerization strategies.
• Working knowledge of CAD drawings, STEP files, packaging prints, and supplier design reviews.
• Understanding of ergonomic, quality, transportation, labeling, and damage prevention requirements for inbound shipping packaging.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Purchasing, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, suppliers, and packaging fabricators.
• Knowledge of packaging validation methods, including prototype reviews, fit checks, shaker testing, over‑the‑road testing, and first‑article approvals.
• Ability to support RFQs, quote reviews, supplier selection, purchase order planning, and production packaging release.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, and perform shop‑floor reviews, supplier reviews, and packaging inspections for extended periods.
• Ability to work in manufacturing, warehouse, prototype, and supplier environments as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ghafari Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. As a federal contractor, Ghafari Associates maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in accordance with applicable laws.