Packaging Engineer

RiseMe; Kingsport (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Eastman in Kingsport, TN is seeking a Senior Packaging Engineer with 5+ years in film- and paper-based flexible packaging. You will lead design, development, and optimization of packaging structures, working with paper, coatings, and sustainable barrier technologies.

You will collaborate with R&D, marketing, sales, and customers, ensure regulatory compliance and food safety, and mentor teams while driving cost and sustainability improvements across global projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in packaging related field or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years in flexible packaging design and development.
• Travel about 25% mostly within North America.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on packaging properties and converting processes for film and paper-based solutions.
• Lead customer projects designing and optimizing multi-layer laminates with sustainable barriers.
• Drive innovation in sustainable paper packaging using new materials and recyclable technologies.
• Develop and maintain packaging specifications, documentation, and compliance needs.
• Collaborate across marketing, R&D and customers to prioritize development opportunities.
• Monitor trends/regulations in paper-based packaging and sustainability.

Skills

Packaging engineering

Materials science

Technical leadership

Food packaging

Education

BSc in Packaging Eng

Job description

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 13,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2025 revenue of approximately $8.8 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

Description

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Packaging Engineer with over 5 years of experience in the design and development of film- and paper-based flexible packaging solutions. This role demands deep technical knowledge of paper substrates, coatings, and sustainable barrier technologies, combined with strategic leadership to drive innovation, cost optimization, and environmental stewardship. The successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert, collaborating closely with R&D, marketing, sales teams, and customers to deliver high-performance, sustainable paper-based packaging that meets regulatory and market requirements. This position sits within Eastman’s technology organization and provides support for our Coatings business organization.

The position reports through the Group Leader Coatings Applications Development, located in Kingsport, TN, USA and is part of a global team.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship on packaging properties, converting processes (e.g., lamination, metallization, printing, filling, sealing), performance testing and application requirements specific to film and paper-based solutions.
• Lead customer facing projects regarding the design, development, and optimization of paper-based flexible packaging structures, including multi-layer laminates incorporating paper substrates, coatings, and sustainable barrier materials.
• Drive innovation in sustainable paper packaging by evaluating new raw materials, bio‑based coatings, and recyclable/compostable barrier technologies.
• Develop and maintain detailed packaging specifications, technical documentation, and compliance requirements tailored to paper-based flexible packaging.
• Engage the packaging value chain to discover needs across multiple applications and prioritize opportunities for development work
• Influence decision makers at customers to adopt new packaging solutions
• Monitor industry trends and regulatory developments related to paper-based packaging and sustainability to inform strategic decisions.
• Partner with marketing and business development teams to deliver new business growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of industry experience in flexible packaging design and development, with both paper and film-based packaging materials and solutions.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25%, mainly within North America is required
• Deep technical understanding of paper substrates, coatings, barrier technologies, and converting processes.
• Understanding of packaging requirements across different food packaging applications, including considerations for barrier, shelf life, regulatory compliance, and food safety.
• Proven expertise in packaging performance testing related to film and paper-based materials.
• Strong knowledge of sustainability principles, recyclable and compostable packaging standards, and regulatory compliance for paper-based packaging.
• Experience engaging multiple points along the packaging value chain is highly desired
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Project leadership experience preferred including short-term and long-term project planning and participation on cross-functional team
• Self-motivated and able to work both independently and as a team member with both internal and external partners

Benefits

Your total rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. When you join Eastman, you gain access to an exceptional suite of programs designed to protect your health, grow your wealth, and fuel your career.

Compensation & Incentives

• Base pay plus performance-based incentive opportunities that let you share in our success.

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive medical, prescription‑drug, and dental coverage—paired with a Health Savings Account option to help you save tax-free dollars for care today or in the future.
• A robust menu of voluntary benefits—including vision, optional life, critical‑illness protection, and more—so you can tailor coverage to fit your life.
• Holistic wellness support: financial‑planning tools, family‑building assistance (adoption, pregnancy, and fertility resources), parental leave, and confidential Employee Assistance Program counseling.

Retirement & Financial Strategies

• 401(k) with a company match—plus an additional annual retirement contribution from Eastman to accelerate your long-term savings.

Time Away

• Eleven paid holidays, one personal day, paid time off, and paid vacation to recharge, celebrate, or handle life’s moments.

Growth & Development

• Access to mentorship, learning resources, and leadership programs that empower you to thrive in your current role and chart the next steps in your career.

At Eastman, we invest in the whole you—so you can bring your best self to work every day and build a future you’re proud of.

Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.

Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully engagedworkplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.