Packaging Engineer

Institute of Packaging Professionals; Leesburg (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Institute of Packaging Professionals is seeking a Staff Packaging Engineer to support NPD and sustaining engineering for implantable medical devices. You will drive packaging design, development, and validation while coordinating with R&D, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and supply chain teams.

The role requires strong technical expertise, experience with Class II/III devices, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Orthopedic device experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 4–10 years packaging engineering experience within the medical device industry.
• Experience supporting implantable Class II and/or Class III medical devices.
• Hands-on experience with packaging design, development, and validation.
• Knowledge of medical device packaging regulations and validation standards.
• Experience working in cross-functional product development environments.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging development activities for new product development and sustaining engineering projects.
• Design, develop, and validate sterile packaging systems for implantable medical devices.
• Execute packaging validation activities in accordance with applicable regulatory and industry standards.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects (typically 6–12) while balancing competing priorities and timelines.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, and Operations teams.
• Work directly with contract manufacturers and packaging suppliers to support product development, supplier performance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive packaging strategy while considering cost optimization, manufacturability, supply chain impacts, and product performance.
• Participate in project planning, timeline management, and cross-functional coordination to ensure successful project execution.
• Ensure compliance with MDR requirements and applicable medical device packaging standards throughout the product lifecycle.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication

Multi-project management

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering

Job description

Packaging Engineer (Implantable Orthopedics)

Job Description

Our client is seeking a Staff Packaging Engineer to support both New Product Development (NPD) and sustaining engineering initiatives for a portfolio of implantable medical devices. This individual will serve as a key member of the packaging engineering team, driving packaging design, development, validation, supplier management, and cross‑functional collaboration throughout the product lifecycle.

This is a highly visible role requiring someone who is comfortable balancing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. The ideal candidate will have experience working with Class II or Class III implantable medical devices, with orthopedic device experience being highly preferred. Success in this role requires strong technical expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work across engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and external manufacturing partners.

Day‑to‑Day Responsibilities

• Lead packaging development activities for new product development and sustaining engineering projects.
• Design, develop, and validate sterile packaging systems for implantable medical devices.
• Execute packaging validation activities in accordance with applicable regulatory and industry standards.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects (typically 6–12) while balancing competing priorities and timelines.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, and Operations teams.
• Work directly with contract manufacturers and packaging suppliers to support product development, supplier performance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive packaging strategy while considering cost optimization, manufacturability, supply chain impacts, and product performance.
• Participate in project planning, timeline management, and cross‑functional coordination to ensure successful project execution.
• Ensure compliance with MDR requirements and applicable medical device packaging standards throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements / Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 4–10 years of packaging engineering experience within the medical device industry.
• Experience supporting implantable Class II and/or Class III medical devices.
• Hands‑on experience with packaging design, development, and validation.
• Knowledge of medical device packaging regulations and validation standards.
• Experience working in cross‑functional product development environments.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred:

• Orthopedic medical device experience.
• Experience supporting both New Product Development (NPD) and sustaining engineering.
• Experience managing external packaging suppliers or contract manufacturers.
• Familiarity with Medical Device Regulation (MDR) requirements.
• Exposure to project management activities, including project planning, prioritization, scheduling, and cross‑functional coordination.