Senior Packaging Engineer

Lifecore Biomedical; Chaska (MN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 weeks PTO (4 weeks after 2 years)

9 holidays + 2 personal holidays

401k with company match

HSA medical plans

Company-paid disability & life

Excellent medical/dental/vision

Job summary

Lifecore Biomedical seeks a Senior Packaging Engineer to provide hands-on technical leadership for packaging materials, processes and equipment. You will drive development, validation, implementation and continuous improvement across regulated packaging operations.

You will collaborate with manufacturing and quality teams to troubleshoot issues, optimize performance, and ensure compliant, efficient packaging solutions aligned with customer and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical or Packaging) required/preferred.
• Minimum 5 years in a manufacturing environment, medical device or biopharma preferred.
• Experience with packaging equipment specification, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Experience in packaging design, materials and validation.
• Familiarity with Cognex vision systems is a plus.
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical serialization is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging design and material selection to meet regulatory and client requirements.
• Support packaging production through equipment troubleshooting and SOP authoring.
• Support packaging validation including seal integrity testing and equipment qualification.
• Lead investigations to identify and correct manufacturing process issues.
• Identify and implement improvements to packaging processes/equipment.
• Lead introduction of new manufacturing processes or changes to equipment.
• Lead FMEA for packaging materials, processes and equipment.
• Specify, select, and install packaging equipment.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams on packaging issues and improvements.

Skills

Packaging design

Material selection

Sterile barrier development

Packaging equipment troubleshooting

Process optimization

Root cause investigations

SOPs/Documents

Engineering drawings

Cross-functional collaboration

Hands-on mechanical aptitude

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Packaging Engineering

Tools

Cognex vision systems

Pharmaceutical serialization

Job description

Overview

Senior Packaging Engineer role supporting Lifecore’s packaging department. The primary responsibility is to provide hands-on technical leadership for the development, validation, implementation, and continuous improvement of packaging materials, processes, and equipment. This role partners cross-functionally to troubleshoot manufacturing issues, optimize packaging performance, lead process and equipment changes, and ensure compliant, efficient, and reliable packaging solutions that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

This critical engineering role offers opportunities to utilize your skills in a highly regulated industry.

Responsibilities

• Leading packaging design, material selection, and sterile barrier development to meet regulatory and client requirements.
• Supporting packaging production through equipment troubleshooting, operator training, and SOP authoring.
• Supporting packaging validation including seal integrity testing, shipping studies, and equipment qualification.
• Leading investigations to identify and correct problems involving the manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Identifying and implementing improvements to the packaging processes and equipment.
• Leading the introduction of new manufacturing processes or changes to existing manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Leading FMEA activities for packaging raw materials, processes, and equipment.
• Performing the specification, selection, and installation of packaging equipment.
• Collaborating with suppliers and internal teams to resolve packaging related issues and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering (Mechanical or Packaging preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment; medical device or biopharmaceutical preferred.
• Experience in packaging equipment specification, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Experience in packaging (formed trays, cartons, shippers) design, materials, and validation.
• Experience with Cognex vision systems preferred.
• Experience with pharmaceutical product serialization preferred.
• Hands-on mechanical aptitude and engineering skill.
• In-depth understanding of documents, SOPs, and technical drawings.
• Ability to work with manufacturing leaders to create a more robust manufacturing operation.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting Salary: $95,000 - $110,000 annually with consideration for relevant experience.

Lifecore offers a competitive total rewards package, including:

• Opportunities to learn and grow with a well-respected company.
• Competitive compensation with annual reviews and a company-wide incentive bonus.
• Benefits that start the first of the month after you join Lifecore as a full-time employee:
• 3 medical insurance plans to fit your needs and budget including an HSA Plan with a generous company contribution.
• Low cost dental and vision insurance.
• Short term disability, long term disability and life insurance all 100% company paid.
• 3 weeks PTO in the first year (increases to 4 weeks after just 2 years!).
• 9 paid company holidays plus 2 personal holidays.
• Paid family leave.
• 401k plan with company matching contribution.

About Lifecore

Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (Nasdaq: LFCR) is a fully integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that offers highly differentiated capabilities in the development, fill and finish of sterile injectable pharmaceutical products in syringes, vials, and cartridges, including complex formulations. As a leading manufacturer of premium, injectable-grade hyaluronic acid, Lifecore brings more than 40 years of expertise as a partner for global and emerging biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across multiple therapeutic categories.