R&D Engineer – Flexible Pkg

ESPO Corporation; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health insurance

Dental insurance

401k

Job summary

ESPO Corporation is seeking an experienced R&D Engineer - Flexible Pkg to drive development of new flexible packaging solutions. This progression role offers exposure to polymer/paper science, materials engineering, and packaging technology, with responsibilities spanning concept through pilot and production trials.

The successful candidate will lead technical activities, translate market needs into specifications, and collaborate across sales, supply management, engineering, and external

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science, preferably in Engineering, Science, Packaging, or Plastics.
• 5-10 years in a Product/Package Development or Manufacturing role.
• Experience with blown film production, extrusion coating and laminating, printing (rotogravure/flexographic), pouching, and form/fill/seal.
• Material science knowledge (OPP, PET, PE, Nylon, paper, foil).
• New product development, packaging applications.
• Project management (multitasking, prioritization, time and budget management).
• Technical writing & oral communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical activities to develop new flexible packaging structures, capabilities.
• Translate market or customer requirements into specifications and design products that meet these criteria.
• Develop and lead pilot, production, and filling/packaging trials.
• Interface with business leaders, customers, and external partners to discuss development activities and needs.
• Coordinate activities to accomplish tasks using available internal and external resources.
• Stay current with industry trends, material and process developments, and the competitive landscape to leverage and share that knowledge within the business.
• Build subject matter expertise for key focus areas and act as a consultant within the business for these areas.
• Prepare written and verbal presentations, project plans, updates, and reports for internal and external use.
• Travel to suppliers, customers, and other innovation partners and for conferences, trade shows, or training.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, supply management, engineering, sustainability, and other functions to identify needs and solutions, or technological advancements.

Skills

Project management

Packaging technology

Multitasking

Technical writing

Oral communication

Education

B.S. in Packaging/Engineering

Job description

Job Title: R&D Engineer - Flexible Pkg

Location: ONSITE position located in Charlotte, NC or Elk Grove Village, IL facilities.

Duration: Direct Hire/Permanent

Salary: $90k-$100k

Travel: Up to 20% of the time

Summary Description

This is a progression position with the level being based on candidate experience and business needs as an R&D Engineer. You will drive technical programs focused on the development of new flexible packaging products and/or technologies. In this role, you will lead all development and technical activities for assigned projects, delivering new packaging solutions to many of the world’s most recognized brands. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in polymer and/or paper science, materials engineering, or packaging technology, and a passion for solving complex technical challenges.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead technical activities to develop new flexible packaging structures, capabilities
• Translate market or customer requirements into specifications and design products that meet these criteria.
• Develop and lead pilot, production, and filling/packaging trials.
• Interface with business leaders, customers, and external partners to discuss development activities and needs.
• Coordinate activities to accomplish tasks using available internal and external resources.
• Stay current with industry trends, material and process developments, and the competitive landscape to leverage and share that knowledge within the business.
• Build subject matter expertise for key focus areas and act as a consultant within the business for these areas.
• Prepare written and verbal presentations, project plans, updates, and reports for internal and external use.
• Travel to suppliers, customers, and other innovation partners and for conferences, trade shows, or training.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, supply management, engineering, sustainability, and other functions to identify needs and solutions, or technological advancements.

We’d love to hear from you if:

• Education: Bachelor of Science, preferably in Engineering, Science, Packaging, or Plastics
• Experience: 5-10 years in a Product/Package Development or Manufacturing role.
• Preferred manufacturing processes include blown film production, extrusion coating and laminating, printing (rotogravure/flexographic), pouching, and form/fill/seal conversion.
• Experience in retort and hot fill applications or the following markets would be a plus: pet food, dairy, coffee, chilled and frozen food, healthcare, or personal care.
• Material science (OPP, PET, PE, Nylon, paper, and foil) knowledge
• New product development, packaging applications
• Project management (multitasking, prioritization, time and budget management, planning and executing)
• Technical writing & oral communication

Compensation

The annual base salary range for this role is from $90,000 to $100,000. This is a progression position with the level being based on candidate experience and business needs.

Benefits

ESPO has a comprehensive benefit package which includes PTO, Group Health and Dental Insurance, 401k, etc after you have satisfied the necessary waiting periods.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value the benefits of diversity in our workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, or any other attribute or protected characteristic by law.