Packaging Engineer

IFF; Oregon; On-site; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

IFF is seeking a Packaging Engineer to provide technical leadership for finished format packaging across sites. You will oversee packaging equipment, materials, and inputs to contract manufacturers, driving capital projects and packaging innovations while ensuring quality and regulatory compliance.

The role collaborates with global teams and CMOs, supports maintenance planning, and guides line trials to optimize efficiency and reduce downtime.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in packaging engineering within a manufacturing or contract manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of packaging equipment, material properties, and preventive maintenance strategies.
• Experience supporting capital projects and collaborating with global teams and CMOs.
• Excellent project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Familiarity with regulatory and quality standards for dietary supplement or food packaging preferred.
• Continuous improvement mindset with ability to identify opportunities for efficiency and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter expert for finished format packaging equipment and packaging materials within the plant.
• Evaluate and select packaging materials compatible with high-speed equipment.
• Define and maintain material specifications to ensure consistent line performance.

Skills

Packaging Engineering

Equipment Knowledge

Preventive Maintenance

Capital Projects

Cross-functional Collaboration

Regulatory Compliance

Quality Standards

Education

Packaging/Engineering Degree

Related Field Degree

Job description

Job Summary

The Packaging Engineer will provide technical leadership for finished format packaging operations, including oversight of equipment, packaging materials, and inputs to contract manufacturing partners. This role ensures optimal performance of packaging processes across internal and external sites, supports capital projects, and drives innovation in packaging formats and materials while maintaining compliance with operational and quality standards.

SHIFT

Mon - Fri, will be discussed in interview

Please note that this position could exceed 40 hours per week per business needs

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in packaging engineering within a manufacturing or contract manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of packaging equipment, material properties, and preventive maintenance strategies.
• Experience supporting capital projects and collaborating with global teams and CMOs.
• Excellent project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Familiarity with regulatory and quality standards for dietary supplement or food packaging preferred.
• Continuous improvement mindset with ability to identify opportunities for efficiency and innovation.

REQUIREMENTS

• A legal right to work in the United States
• Must pass pre-employment drug screen and background check

RESPONSIBILITIES

Equipment & Materials Expertise

Serve as the subject matter expert for finished formatpackagingequipment (bottling, blister, stick pack, sachet, etc.) andpackagingmaterials within the plant.

• Evaluate and selectpackagingmaterials (films, laminates, cartons, foils, adhesives)compatible with high-speed equipment.
• Define and maintain critical material specifications(e.g., coefficient of friction, seal strength, thickness tolerance, heat resistance)to ensure consistent line performance.

Develop strategies for equipment setup and material selection to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.

• Establish material selection approaches aligned to machine capabilitiesto minimize jams, defects, and variability.
• Optimize material-to-machine interface settings(tension, sealing parameters, forming conditions)to support high-speed throughput.

Provide technical guidance and troubleshooting support for plant operations and external manufacturing partners (as needed).

• Diagnose and resolve material-related performance issues(e.g., tracking, tearing, seal failures, static, curling).
• Recommend material or supplier specification adjustmentsto improve reliability and reduce downtime.

Capital Project & Contract Manufacturing Support

Provide technical input forpackaging-related capital projects, including equipment upgrades and new installations.

• Assess and ensure material compatibility with new or modified equipmentto enable efficient high-speed operations.

Partner withengineering, operations, and external partners to ensure successful execution of projects within timelines and budgets.

• Collaborate with teams and suppliers to develop or refine materialsthat meet equipment and operational requirements.

Support preventive maintenance planning forpackaginglines to maximize uptime and reliability.

• Incorporate material performance considerations(e.g., wear, residue, sealing impacts)into maintenance strategies.

PackagingDevelopment & Project Management

Manage changes topackagingcomponents and materials, including labels, cartons, foils, sachets, and other printed or structural materials.

• Lead material qualification and change control processes, ensuring machinability, quality, and compliance requirements are met.
• Support label machine application requirements by ensuring label materials, adhesives, and roll specifications are compatible with line equipment and application standards.

Coordinate trials for newpackagingformats and material validations to ensure manufacturability.

• Plan and execute line trials under production conditionsto validate material performance at required speeds.
• Analyze results to confirm efficiency, seal integrity, and defect reductionprior to implementation.

Collaborate with Supply Chain, Quality, and Production teams to ensure seamless execution ofpackagingchanges and reprints.

• Develop and maintain material specifications and supplier expectationsfor consistency and performance.
• Balance cost, sustainability, and operational efficiencywhen selecting and implementingpackagingmaterials.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more

Salary Ranges:

80,276.00 - 114,680.00 USD