Senior Packaging Engineer

DSJ Global; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

DSJ Global is seeking a Senior Packaging Engineer to lead packaging initiatives from concept to commercialization across a diverse product portfolio.

The role requires deep knowledge of packaging materials and technologies, including plastics, flexible formats, paperboard, and labeling, with hands-on experience in design, trials, validation, and documentation to support scalable manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or related technical field.
• 5+ years of packaging engineering experience in manufacturing environments.
• Expertise in packaging materials and technologies (plastics, flexible, paperboard, corrugated) and labeling systems.
• Proven track record leading packaging development from concept through launch and commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of packaging solutions across launches and cost-saving initiatives, overseeing projects from concept to production.
• Drive cross-functional packaging programs to meet timelines, quality, requirements, and budget objectives.
• Author, maintain, and manage packaging-related documentation (specifications, BOMs, tests, standards, records).
• Design and execute packaging evaluations, trials, validation activities, transportation assessments, and shelf-life studies.
• Assess packaging systems for performance, manufacturability, equipment compatibility, and operational readiness.
• Serve as technical lead for packaging systems across plastics, flexible materials, paperboard, corrugated, and labeling technologies.
• Drive packaging performance and cost-improvement by evaluating materials, equipment, and processes.
• Establish and maintain packaging engineering standards, testing programs, and best practices with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Skills

Packaging design

Cross-functional leadership

Documentation management

Validation testing

Material selection

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering

Tools

Packaging equipment

Labeling systems

Job description

The Senior Packaging Engineer is responsible for leading packaging initiatives from concept through commercialization, including design, validation, implementation, and continuous improvement across a diverse portfolio of products and production environments. This position collaborates cross-functionally with teams such as Research & Development, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Marketing, and external partners to create innovative, customer-focused, sustainable, and cost-efficient packaging solutions that align with operational, regulatory, and business objectives.

Serving as a key technical resource, the Senior Packaging Engineer drives packaging advancements, supports manufacturing efficiency, and leads initiatives focused on process optimization and long-term growth. The role requires extensive knowledge of packaging materials and technologies, including injection-molded plastics, flexible packaging formats, paperboard and corrugated components, packaging machinery, testing and validation protocols, and artwork development and control processes.

Responsibilities Include:

• Lead the development and implementation of packaging solutions across new product launches, product enhancements, and cost-saving initiatives, overseeing projects from initial concept through commercial production.
• Drive cross-functional packaging programs to ensure alignment with timelines, quality expectations, operational requirements, and budget objectives.
• Author, maintain, and manage packaging-related documentation, including material specifications, bills of materials, testing procedures, packaging standards, and technical records.
• Design and execute packaging evaluations, manufacturing trials, validation activities, transportation assessments, and shelf-life studies to support successful commercialization and process scale-up.
• Assess packaging systems for performance, manufacturability, equipment compatibility, and operational readiness, ensuring solutions meet both customer and production requirements.
• Serve as the technical lead for packaging systems, applying expertise in plastics, flexible materials, paperboard, corrugated packaging, and labeling technologies to support product development, manufacturing optimization, and new packaging innovations.
• Drive packaging performance and cost-improvement initiatives by evaluating materials, equipment, and processes to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, improve sustainability, and support operational excellence across manufacturing facilities.
• Establish and maintain packaging engineering standards, testing programs, and best practices while partnering with suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and internal stakeholders to support equipment implementation, validation activities, and continuous process improvement.

Ideal Skillset:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or a related technical field
• 5+ years of packaging engineering experience in CPG, food and beverage, confectionery, pharmaceutical, medical device, or other manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in packaging materials and technologies, including injection-molded plastics, flexible packaging, paperboard, corrugated materials, labeling systems, and packaging equipment, with hands-on experience supporting package design, material selection, tooling, and manufacturing operations.
• Proven track record of leading packaging development and commercialization efforts from concept through launch, including specification management, technical documentation, validation activities, packaging trials, and cross-functional project execution.