Packaging Engineer

Kitsch-LL; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Kitsch is seeking a Packaging Engineer in Los Angeles, CA, to own packaging from concept to production. You will lead a Junior Packaging Engineer and collaborate with Packaging Design, Product Development, and Regulatory to bring packaging to market.

Requirements include 3–6 years in packaging engineering for beauty/CPG, a relevant bachelor’s degree, and hands-on experience with liquids packaging. On-site work with occasional travel, base salary $95k–$125k.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of hands-on packaging engineering experience in beauty, personal care, or CPG.
• Bachelor’s in Packaging, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with primary packaging for liquids and creams: bottles, tubes, jars, pumps, sprayers, closures.

Responsibilities

• Write specs and drawings our suppliers will build from.
• Run the test plan for every package before purchase order.
• Manage suppliers in Asia, Latin America, and the U.S. with first-article checks and line trials.
• Investigate root causes of packaging complaints to protect quality standards.
• Own project timelines and flag risks early.
• Ensure packages meet retailer and California rules.
• Lower cost without compromising look, feel, or function.

Skills

Packaging engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s in Packaging

Mechanical Engineering

Materials Science

Tools

CAD (SolidWorks)

ISTA testing

ASTM methods

Asana

ArtiosCAD / Esko

Job description

About Us

Kitsch is a certified female and minority-owned global beauty brand, sold in 32,000+ retailers across 92 countries. We make essentials that make you feel exceptional.

About the Role

As our Packaging Engineer, you’ll own packaging from first concept to production, so every package works in a customer’s hands and is ready for launch. You’ll lead a Junior Packaging Engineer and work with Packaging Design, Product Development, and Regulatory.

• Full-time
• 3 to 6 years of experience
• Base salary of $95,000 to $125,000, based on experience and skills
• Occasional travel, up to once a year

What Will Be Your Responsibilities

• Write the specs and drawings our suppliers build from
• Run the test plan for every package before it goes to PO
• Manage suppliers in Asia, Latin America, and the U.S., including first-article checks and line trials
• Fix the root cause of packaging complaints to protect our 4.5-star standard
• Own your project timelines and flag risks early
• Make sure every package meets retailer and California rules
• Lower cost without hurting how a package looks, feels, or works

What Are We Looking For

Must-haves

• 3 to 6 years of hands‑on packaging engineering, ideally in beauty, personal care, or CPG
• Bachelor’s in Packaging, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related, or equal experience
• Primary packaging for liquids and creams: bottles, tubes, jars, pumps, sprayers, closures
• CAD (SolidWorks or similar) and clear specs
• Testing with ISTA and ASTM methods
• Direct work with overseas suppliers
• Keeps projects current in Asana or similar
• Clear written English

Nice‑to‑haves

• Hair, body, fragrance, or retail‑ready packaging
• Retailer rules, PCR, and recyclability
• ArtiosCAD, Esko, or dielines
• Mentoring, Spanish or Mandarin, and real use of AI tools

Our Values

• Proactive problem solving. We fix problems before being asked.
• Willingness to sweep the floors. No task is beneath us.
• Pride in our work. We own the result.

Location

Los Angeles, CA. On‑site as needed, sometimes the same day when packaging arrives for approval, so you’ll need to live nearby.

Kitsch is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in line with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring and the California Fair Chance Act.