Packaging Engineer - Accessories and Service Parts

Slate Automotive LLC; United States; On-site; USD 135,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Vacation

401k

Equity program

Incentive program

Job summary

Slate Automotive LLC is seeking a Packaging Engineering Manager to lead a small team and own the packaging roadmap for Accessories and Service Parts. You will set standards, drive cost and damage reductions, and craft an unboxing experience that reinforces the Slate brand.

This role is based in the USA with on‑site work in Carson, CA or Troy, MI. You will collaborate across Engineering, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Quality, Logistics, Product, Brand, and Digital/eComm to ensure packaging readiness

Qualifications

• BS in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 8–12+ years of packaging engineering experience for automotive or consumer products, including 3+ years leading engineers.
• Deep knowledge of packaging materials and standards (ISTA, ASTM, labeling requirements), with enough hands‑on CAD/die line and testing skill to review and challenge designs.
• A track record of building and developing teams: hiring well, coaching, and managing performance in a fast‑moving environment.
• Demonstrated results reducing packaging cost, damage rate, and freight/cube, and managing a tooling or development budget; dual‑use or install‑aid packaging experience a plus.
• Experience owning supplier‑facing packaging guidelines, QC criteria, and validation programs across suppliers and 3PLs.
• Strong influence without authority: you align Engineering, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Product, and Brand, and bring suppliers and senior leaders with you.
• Comfortable in start‑up environments: you build the playbook and roll up your sleeves when the work calls for it.
• Passion for customer experience and brand‑driven packaging that supports Slate’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a small, high‑performing team of packaging engineers: hire, coach, develop, and manage performance, with clear goals and workload balanced across competing programs.
• Own the packaging strategy and roadmap for Accessories and Service Parts, delivering measurable gains in cost, damage rate, cube and freight efficiency, and sustainability.
• Set the packaging standards, specifications, test protocols, and design guidelines that every Slate part, supplier, and 3PL packages to.
• Deliver an unboxing experience customers love: customer‑facing packaging, distinct from factory packaging, that protects the product, tells the Slate story, and, where it helps, doubles as an install guide or fixture.
• Make every launch packaging‑ready: define supplier and 3PL packaging requirements, lead validation (ISTA or equivalent), and approve supplier designs, die lines, and samples so product arrives undamaged and on time.
• Align Engineering, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, Logistics/3PL, Product Management, Brand, and Digital/eComm around one packaging plan, from concept through launch and sustainment.
• Plan capacity and prioritize across simultaneous accessories and service‑parts demand, including SUV kit support, so the right work ships first and the team stays focused.
• Own the packaging tooling and development budget, and make clear trade‑offs among cost, protection, experience, and speed.
• Stay technically credible: review and approve packaging designs, CAD/die line files, and test results, and step in hands‑on when it matters.

Skills

Packaging engineering

Team leadership

CAD / die line

ISTA / ASTM standards

Supplier management

Cost reduction

Education

BS in Packaging Engineering

BS in Industrial Design

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

ABOUT SLATE

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

As our Packaging Engineering Manager, you’ll report directly to the Head of Accessories Product Management and lead a small team of packaging engineers. You’ll own the packaging strategy and roadmap for Slate Accessories and Service Parts, from shipping packaging through suppliers and 3PLs to the customer-facing unboxing experience. You’ll set the bar for quality and stay close enough to the work to roll up your sleeves when a launch needs it.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

Build and lead a small, high-performing team of packaging engineers: hire, coach, develop, and manage performance, with clear goals and workload balanced across competing programs.

Own the packaging strategy and roadmap for Accessories and Service Parts, delivering measurable gains in cost, damage rate, cube and freight efficiency, and sustainability.

Set the packaging standards, specifications, test protocols, and design guidelines that every Slate part, supplier, and 3PL packages to.

Deliver an unboxing experience customers love: customer-facing packaging, distinct from factory packaging, that protects the product, tells the Slate story, and, where it helps, doubles as an install guide or fixture.

Make every launch packaging‑ready: define supplier and 3PL packaging requirements, lead validation (ISTA or equivalent), and approve supplier designs, die lines, and samples so product arrives undamaged and on time.

Align Engineering, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, Logistics/3PL, Product Management, Brand, and Digital/eComm around one packaging plan, from concept through launch and sustainment.

Plan capacity and prioritize across simultaneous accessories and service‑parts demand, including SUV kit support, so the right work ships first and the team stays focused.

Own the packaging tooling and development budget, and make clear trade‑offs among cost, protection, experience, and speed.

Stay technically credible: review and approve packaging designs, CAD/die line files, and test results, and step in hands‑on when it matters.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

BS in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.

8–12+ years of packaging engineering experience for automotive or consumer products, including 3+ years leading engineers.

Deep knowledge of packaging materials and standards (ISTA, ASTM, labeling requirements), with enough hands‑on CAD/die line and testing skill to review and challenge designs.

A track record of building and developing teams: hiring well, coaching, and managing performance in a fast‑moving environment.

Demonstrated results reducing packaging cost, damage rate, and freight/cube, and managing a tooling or development budget; dual‑use or install‑aid packaging experience a plus.

Experience owning supplier‑facing packaging guidelines, QC criteria, and validation programs across suppliers and 3PLs.

Strong influence without authority: you align Engineering, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Product, and Brand, and bring suppliers and senior leaders with you.

Comfortable in start‑up environments: you build the playbook and roll up your sleeves when the work calls for it.

Passion for customer experience and brand‑driven packaging that supports Slate’s mission.

Location: Carson CA or Troy, MI.

SALARY RANGE

The compensationfor this position is the range Slate reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job‑related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; work location; and other relevant business and organizational factors.

Annual Base Pay Range in California: $135,000 to $203,000 USD.

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Slate offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in the equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start‑up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

Safety First Delight Customers One Team Relentless Improvement Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy Respectful Collaboration Positive Legacy.

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff

We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

ABOUT US

At Slate, we’ve got one job: building a vehicle you’ll fall in love with, right here in the USA. We believe that car buyers—not car companies—should call the shots. We like looking at a road, not a screen. We don’t like paying for stuff we don’t need. We like picking out the stuff we do need. We think dings are badges, not blemishes. But we know not everyone likes what we like. So, we built you a Slate: you make it yours.