Senior Packaging Engineer

Hired by Matrix, Inc; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Matrix, Inc. is seeking a Senior Packaging Engineer to provide technical packaging expertise for the foods business in Plano, TX.

You will develop and commercialize packaging solutions that protect product quality and improve total system performance, collaborating with R&D, Product Development, Marketing, Sales, Operations, and suppliers. The role requires 4–10 years in packaging, a technical degree, and strong project management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field (Packaging-related).
• 4–10 years of relevant packaging experience in food, beverage, or CPG.
• Experience developing and executing primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging materials.
• Strong knowledge of corrugated shipping cases and corrugate performance; material selection and testing.
• Experience planning plant, co-packer, or supplier trials and translating results into decisions.
• Strong project management skills: timelines, budgets, risks, dependencies.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Domestic travel approximately 15–25%.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical packaging expertise to support the foods business.
• Develop, qualify, and commercialize packaging solutions to improve total system performance.
• Collaborate with Packaging R&D, Product Development, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Procurement, Finance, manufacturing sites, co-packers, and suppliers to advance initiatives.
• Lead design, testing, qualification, and commercialization of packaging from concept to launch.
• Apply knowledge of corrugated packaging: board grades, flute profiles, box styles, printing, and distribution hazards.
• Develop development plans and test strategies; evaluate packaging performance, shelf life, machinability, and transport requirements.
• Maintain clear packaging specifications, drawings, and test requirements.
• Coordinate timelines, budgets, risks, and decisions across partners; communicate recommendations clearly.
• Identify opportunities to reduce material or system cost while preserving protection and quality.
• Stay updated on packaging technologies and supplier capabilities.

Skills

Packaging engineering

Project management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science/Packaging Engineering/Chemical/Mechanical/Plastics Engineering

Job description

At-a-Glance:

Join an international food and beverage company as a Senior Packaging Engineer.

Position Type:

• Contract
• On-Site
• Candidates must be able to live within a 50-minute commute of the work location, including by residing with family in the area.

Required:

• Experience in the food or beverage industry relevant to the role.
• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science, Packaging Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 4-10 years of relevant packaging experience in food, beverage, and consumer packaged goods, or a closely related industry.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging materials, with an understanding of package-equipment interactions.
• Strong working knowledge of corrugated shipping cases and corrugate performance, including material selection, structural design, specifications, supplier/converter capabilities, manufacturing constraints, and distribution testing.
• Experience planning and executing plant, co-packer, laboratory, or supplier trials and translating results into clear technical decisions.
• Strong project management skills, including management of timelines, budgets, technical risks, and cross-functional dependencies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with internal teams, suppliers, converters, and other external partners.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver in a fast-paced, consumer-driven environment.
• Ability to travel domestically approximately 15-25%.

Preferred:

• Experience with packaging innovation, including new materials, formats, technologies, or design concepts from early feasibility through commercialization.
• Experience with corrugate optimization, case-right-sizing, pallet pattern or unit-load optimization, e-commerce or alternative distribution channels, and total delivered-cost analysis.
• Familiarity with corrugate and distribution test methods such as compression, vibration, impact/drop, and environmental conditioning.
• Experience supporting packaging productivity, sustainability, quality improvement, or supplier qualification programs.
• Working knowledge of packaging specifications, technical drawings, data analysis, and project tracking tools.
• Demonstrated interest in the food or beverage industry.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical packaging expertise to support the foods business.
• Develop, qualify, and commercialize packaging solutions that enable productivity, protect product quality, and improve total system performance.
• Partner closely with Packaging R&D, Product Development, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Procurement, Finance, manufacturing sites, co-packers, and suppliers to advance both new and established business initiatives.
• Lead the design, testing, qualification, and commercialization of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions from concept through launch.
• Apply strong knowledge of corrugated packaging, including board grades and combinations, flute profiles, box styles, converting processes, print options, compression performance, unit-load interactions, and distribution hazards. Translate business and product needs into fit-for-purpose corrugate specifications.
• Build package development plans and test strategies; evaluate functionality, product protection, shelf life, machinability, palletization, warehousing, transportation, and customer requirements.
• Develop, approve, and maintain clear packaging specifications, drawings, test requirements, and technical records.
• Coordinate project timelines, risks, decisions, budgets, and deliverables across multiple internal and external partners. Communicate technical recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Partner with plants, co-packers, equipment teams, converters, and material suppliers to troubleshoot issues, complete trials, and ensure reliable implementation.
• Identify packaging opportunities that reduce material or system cost while maintaining product protection, operational performance, quality, and consumer experience.
• Maintain awareness of packaging technologies and supplier capabilities, and apply relevant developments to business needs.
• Follow the applicable technical stage-gate process and provide timely documentation, recommendations, and escalation of risks.

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