Senior ISTA Packaging Lab Engineer (Cold Chain)

Shorr Packaging Corp.; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP — Team ownership

Comprehensive employee benefits

Generous PTO with vacation, sick and浮花

401K plan with matching

Team-based employee owner culture

Job summary

Shorr Packaging Corp is seeking a Package Test Lab Technician to execute ISTA testing and Cold Chain functions within the packaging test laboratory, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant testing of packaging materials, components, and finished goods.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, maintain equipment calibration, and develop standardized test protocols to support quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5+ years of ISTA packaging testing experience.
• Prior experience in cold chain testing strongly preferred.
• Experience with packaging materials (corrugate, plastics, films, protective packaging).
• Intimate knowledge with lab equipment such as compression testers, vibration tables, and environmental chambers.
• Strong knowledge of ISTA, ASTM, Thermal Properties, Hazmat and TAPPI regulatory packaging standards.

Responsibilities

• Testing & Validation: Execute packaging tests (drop, vibration, compression, environmental) ensuring alignment with ISTA, ASTM, and customer specifications.
• Test Quality & Reporting: Review, validate, and communicate test results; ensure accuracy, consistency, and proper documentation/traceability.
• Cross-Functional Support: Partner with sales, packaging design, and suppliers to support product development, customer requests, and root cause analysis.
• Customer & Internal Enablement: Provide recommendations and insights based on testing outcomes to improve packaging performance and reduce risk.

Skills

ISTA testing

Cross-functional collaboration

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Equivalent experience

Tools

Compression testers

Vibration tables

Environmental chambers

Equipment calibration & maintenance

Job description

Together, We Own it! Start your employee owner journey with Shorr Packaging.

The Package Test Lab Technician conducts ISTA testing and Cold Chain functions within the packaging test laboratory, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant testing of packaging materials, components, and finished goods.

This role will conduct testing protocols and partner with cross‑functional teams to support quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. This position requires a high level of both verbal and written communication skills as interactions with customers, both internal and external will be expected daily.

Responsibilities

Lab Operations & Testing Execution

• Testing & Validation: Execute packaging tests (drop, vibration, compression, environmental) ensuring alignment with ISTA, ASTM, and customer specifications
• Test Quality & Reporting: Review, validate, and communicate test results; ensure accuracy, consistency, and proper documentation/traceability
• Cross-Functional Support: Partner with sales, packaging design, and suppliers to support product development, customer requests, and root cause analysis
• Customer & Internal Enablement: Provide recommendations and insights based on testing outcomes to improve packaging performance and reduce risk
  
  

Equipment, Quality & Compliance

• Equipment Oversight: Ensure proper calibration, maintenance, and validation of all lab equipment (drop testers, vibration tables, compression testers, environmental chambers)
• Quality & Compliance: Maintain adherence to safety standards, testing protocols, and applicable certifications (ISTA/ASTM); support audits and resolve discrepancies
  
  

Lab Development

• Process & SOP Development: Establish and standardize testing protocols, workflows, and documentation to support scalability and consistency
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 5+ years of ISTA packaging testing experience.
• Prior experience in cold chain testing strongly preferred
• Experience with packaging materials (corrugate, plastics, films, protective packaging)
• Intimate knowledge with lab equipment such as compression testers, vibration tables, and environmental chambers
• Strong knowledge of ISTA, ASTM, Thermal Properties, Hazmat and TAPPI regulatory packaging standards.
  
  

Compensation

The base pay range for this role is $105,000 – $115,000 per year.

Shorr Packaging does not provide work authorization sponsorship for this position.

Shorr Benefits

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - Together, We Own It!
• Comprehensive Employee Benefits: Medical, dental, vision and other insurance coverages
• Generous PTO with vacation, sick and floating holidays.
• 401K plan plus matching
• Team based Employee Owner company culture
  
  

Shorr Packaging Corp is an equal-opportunity employer. It is the policy of Shorr Packaging Corp to afford full Equal Employment Opportunity, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status or disability status or any other legally protected status.