Principal Engineer, R&D - Thermoforms

The Kraft Heinz Company; Glenview (IL); Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Healthcare benefits

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

The Kraft Heinz Company in Glenview, IL is seeking a RigidThermoform Packaging Engineer to advance rigid packaging materials and formats for the North American portfolio. You will help develop and validate cost-effective, sustainable packaging solutions while enabling innovation and compliance under technical leadership.

You will collaborate with Innovation, Process and Platform packaging teams across the value chain, applying DoE and data analysis to deliver manufacturable designs and support

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering preferred.
• 6+ years of R&D packaging technology development and project leadership experience.
• Experience with rigid plastic thermoform packaging and manufacturing constraints.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Support execution of rigid packaging initiatives across research, development and validation workstreams.
• Contribute to technical assessments and business case inputs for packaging technologies.
• Coordinate with suppliers, universities and industry partners for trials and data collection.
• Apply DoE, statistics and structured problem solving to research activities.
• Support prototyping, pilot line setups and scale-up to production when needed.
• Document learnings and create technical summaries for knowledge sharing.

Skills

Thermoforming

R&D packaging

Project leadership

Data analysis

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Engineering/Materials/Packaging

Job description

Job Description

Job Purpose

As the RigidThermoformPackagingEngineer ,you will contribute technicalexpertiseto help develop and advance rigid packaging material and format solutions for the North American portfolio. Theobjectiveof the role is to support development and validation of functional, cost-competitiverigid packaging solutions that meet sustainability requirements, while enabling innovation, compliance, and value engineering initiatives. You will collaborate with Innovation, Process, and Platform packaging teams and cross-functional stakeholders to translate technical and sustainability requirements into commercially manufacturable solutions under the guidance of technical leadership.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Support execution of rigid packaging technical initiativesby completing assigned research, development, andvalidationworkstreams that balance technology exploration withproof of conceptneeds.

• Contribute to technical assessments and business case inputsfor packaging technologies/applications by gathering data, summarizing learnings, and documenting technical risks and opportunities.

• Support external collaboration activitiesacross the value chain (e.g., resin, coating, material suppliers; universities; institutes; start-ups; open innovation networks; scouting partners, industry partnerships) by coordinating samples/trials, tracking actions, and documenting outcomes.

• Apply enterprise standards and manufacturability considerationsby following established guidance to ensure design decisions align with enterprise standards, manufacturability needs, sustainability needs, and platform direction.

• Provide technical problem solving on rigid packaging projectsby using structured troubleshooting, data analysis, and experimentation to resolve technical hurdles.

• Apply Design of Experiments (DoE), statistics, and technical problem-solving practicestoresearch, development, andvalidationwork.

• Support prototyping development for consumer testingandassistwith pilot line setup and scale-up to industrial production asrequiredto enable commercialization.

• Contribute to knowledge sharing and capability buildingby documenting learnings, creating technical summaries, and supporting training content or informal coaching as needed.

Key Outputs & Deliverables

• Contribute to execution of the rigid packaging technology strategythrough technical work products (data packages, trial results, recommendations) that support sustainability, innovation, and value engineering initiatives.

• Deliver technical workstreams for rigid packaging projectsfrom concept through proof of concept and handover support, meeting committed timelines and technical performance targets for assigned responsibilities.

• Support compliance with sustainability and regulatory requirementsby incorporating requirements into experimental plans and design recommendations, including:

• MinimizingExtended Producer Responsibility (EPR)fee impacts (as applicable to design choices)

• Supporting designs that help avoidmaterial bans and regulatory risks

• Supportingrecyclable, reusable, and compliantpackaging formats aligned with enterprise sustainability goals and legislative requirements

• Support delivery of packaging designs to Performance-Based Specifications (PBS)to meet defined functional, quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance outcomes.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• BS/MS/PhD degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering preferred, or related discipline.

• 6+ years ofR&Dpackagingtechnology development, commercialization experience, withexposure to rigidplasticthermoformpackagingandproject leadership experience (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred).Experience working at converter or upstream resin or technology provider ideal.

• Working technical knowledge of materials (polymers,barriersand additives, etc.) and thermoforming plastics, understanding manufacturing constraints, including converting processes (e.g., lidding, molding, extrusion, form-fill-seal).

• Demonstrated ability to support end-to-end development activities, including planning/performing experiments, documenting results, and coordinating with cross-functional partners.

• Demonstrated capabilityofdesign ofexperiments and statisticsand technical problem solving.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to influence across functions and levels.

• Working knowledge of project execution disciplines (e.g., task planning, risk identification, stakeholder updates) and comfortoperatingwithin PMO expectations/templates.

• Exposure tosustainable packaging solutions, material/package industrystandardsand regulations.

• Ability to support pilot line activities and scale-uptoindustrial production asrequired.

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Work Environment & Schedule

isposition operatesprimarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center (Chicago, IL).

Physical Requirements

Physical demands

include butnotlimited to

• Regular office work

• Physical presence at labs and manufacturing sites (internal and external) to perform experimental and validation testing

This job description is not designed to cover orcontainall duties or responsibilities that are requiredofthe role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

$104,200.00 - $130,200.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and savingfor the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coveragefor benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire aphysical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments

• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training

• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

• Financial – 401k,Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Glenview R&D Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail] for assistance.