Principal Packaging Systems Engineer

Leprino Foods; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 147,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Leprino Foods in Denver is seeking a Principal Packaging Systems Engineer to lead the design and execution of large, high-speed packaging capital projects across our cheese and nutrition manufacturing network.

You will own system-level packaging design, provide technical direction from concept through startup, and work with plant teams, OEMs, and contractors to bring packaging systems online. Expect travel up to 70% and a 15% annual bonus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Industrial) or closely related field.
• 10+ years of experience in food, beverage, or dairy manufacturing environments.
• Experience owning large packaging capital projects with scope, budget, and schedule responsibility.
• Experience integrating full packaging lines, not just individual machines.
• Willingness to travel up to 70% for project execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of high-speed packaging capital projects across the manufacturing network.
• Own system-level packaging design, technical direction, and commissioning from concept through startup.
• Define equipment specifications, layouts, line balancing, and commissioning plans.
• Partner with OEMs and system integrators to configure and optimize packaging equipment.
• Serve as technical authority during installation and startup with focus on throughput and reliability.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement solutions to improve material flow and line synchronization.
• Mentor engineers and provide informal leadership during project execution.
• Contribute to packaging and construction standards at Leprino.

Skills

Packaging systems

Capital project management

Industrial packaging

Travel up to 70%

Mechanical engineering

24/7 facilities experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical / Industrial)

Job description

Within our Corporate Engineering team located in Denver - Leprino is seeking a Principal Packaging Systems Engineer to lead the design and execution of large, complex high-speed packaging capital projects across our cheese and nutrition manufacturing network. This role carries full accountability for system-level packaging design, technical direction, and execution from concept through commissioning, working directly with plant teams, equipment partners, and general contractors to bring high-speed packaging systems online.

At Leprino, starting compensation for this role typically ranges between $147,000 and $170,000. This position has an annual target bonus of 15%. Based on your experience, we may also consider you for our Engineer II or Senior Engineer levels.

What You'll Do:

• Focus on high-speed packaging equipment and automation systems used in industrial food manufacturing environments - including case packing, palletizing, conveying, robotic handling, stretch wrapping, and full-line integration.
• Own and deliver large, cross-functional packaging capital projects from early design through startup.
• Lead system-level design of tertiary packaging lines, including case packers, palletizers, stretch wrappers, labeling, and integrated conveying systems.
• Define equipment specifications, layouts, line balancing strategies, and commissioning plans.
• Partner with OEMs and system integrators to configure, modify, and optimize high-speed packaging equipment.
• Serve as the technical authority during installation and startup, ensuring packaging systems meet throughput, OEE, food safety, and reliability expectations.
• Identify bottlenecks and design solutions that improve material flow and line synchronization.
• Mentor engineers and provide informal leadership and stability during project execution.
• Contribute to the development and evolution of Leprino's packaging and construction standards.

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or closely related discipline).
• 10+ years of experience in food, beverage, or dairy manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated ownership of large packaging capital projects, including responsibility for scope, budget, schedule, and technical outcomes.
• Experience integrating full packaging lines - not just individual machines.
• Strong understanding of conveying systems, indexing, synchronization, and high-speed line performance.
• Comfort operating in 24/7 production facilities.
• Willingness to travel up to 70% in support of project execution.
• Candidates Please Note: This role is focused on industrial packaging equipment, automation, and manufacturing systems integration. Backgrounds primarily centered on packaging materials, consumer packaging design, or Packaging Science without hands‑on capital equipment experience are not aligned to the scope of this position.

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

• Experience with tertiary packaging systems such as robotic palletizers, automated case packers, stretch wrapping, labeling, and code dating systems.
• Familiarity with sanitary design principles in food manufacturing.
• Experience working with major packaging OEMs and integrators.
• Background in line OEE optimization, changeover reduction, and throughput improvement.
• Experience commissioning new or expanded packaging lines in operating plants.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual's unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive.

Offering You In Return:

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

Our Story:

Leprino's history dates back to the 1950s, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We've grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world's largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the "World's Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company." From a small corner grocery store we have grown to over 5,500 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?