Product Development Engineer

Ring Container Technologies; Michigan; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ring Container Technologies is seeking an experienced Packaging Engineer to lead development of core product lines, optimize materials and processes, and drive cost-saving initiatives. The role requires collaboration with suppliers, operations, and product development.

You will evaluate container specifications, manage vendor relationships, and apply project management and QC concepts. Travel up to 75% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or packaging engineering.
• 5+ years in industrial or consumer packaging.
• Strong proficiency in packaging materials (HDPE, corrugate).
• Excellent problem solving and decision making.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding of process and quality improvement concepts.
• Understanding of plant operations and manufacturing processes.
• Project management experience; PM certification a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 75%.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate manufacturing to find best practices for cost-effective solutions.
• Identify cost-saving initiatives related to packaging, labor, efficiency, and storage.
• Determine optimal container specs for customers and distribution.
• Establish supplier evaluation standards; conduct vendor reviews.
• Oversee development of core product line designs, prototypes, and testing.
• Specify tools and test methods for new product development.
• Identify competitors to assess threats or opportunities.
• Coordinate with operations to optimize manufacturability.
• Develop test plans to ensure containers meet specifications.
• Collaborate with suppliers, operations, product development, sales, and purchasing.

Skills

Packaging engineering

Project management

Communication skills

Process improvement

Independent work

Team collaboration

Manufacturing knowledge

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or packaging engineering

Tools

3D CAD software

Job description

Responsibilities and Duties

• Evaluate company’s core product line manufacturing to find best practices in materials and processes to provide timely and cost-effective solutions.
• Identify and implement new cost saving initiatives related to packaging materials, labor, efficiency, transportation, and storage of company’s core product line with focus on reduce material usage improved ergonomics, and pallet efficiency.
• Analyze specifications of company’s core product line to determine optimal physical characteristics of container, handling, and types of materials required for use at customers and distribution.
• Establish standards and guidelines for supplier evaluation. Evaluate suppliers/vendors; periodically conduct vendor reviews and technology updates as it pertains to company’s core product line.
• Oversee and manage company’s core product line new development, including the creation of company’s core product line designs, prototype, and performance testing.
• Specify and recommend tools and test methods to develop and validate company’s core product line new product developments.
• Identify and evaluate products and technologies competitive to company’s core product line to determine threats or opportunities
• Work with the operations to insure that company’s core product line developments are optimized for manufacturability.
• Develop and implement test plans to ensure that company’s core product line containers exceeds customer specifications.
• Work closely with suppliers, operations, product development, sales, and purchasing.

Experience and Educational Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or packaging engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in industrial or consumer packaging.
• Strong proficiency and understanding of packaging and materials such as HDPE and corrugate.
• Strong problem solving and decision making skills.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must have strong communication skills, orally and in writing.
• Understanding of process improvement and quality improvement concepts.
• Understanding of plant operations and manufacturing processes.
• Must be able to demonstrate project management skills and experience; project management certification a plus.
• Knowledge in 3D CAD software a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 75%

Ring Container Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of Ring to apply recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation and professional development practices without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or certain classifications based on genetic information.