Senior Packaging Engineer, R&D

PDI - Brand; Woodcliff Lake (NJ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Savings Account

Vision Insurance

401(k) matching

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Disability insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

PDI is seeking a Senior Engineer to lead packaging development from concept through commercialization in a tightly regulated environment.

The role requires collaboration across Regulatory, Quality, Operations, and Marketing to deliver compliant packaging solutions. You will mentor junior engineers and contribute to a robust packaging roadmap while ensuring data integrity and timely project delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field

Responsibilities

• Owns assigned technical work from concept to commercialization.
• Contributes to the packaging technical roadmap and aligns with project priorities.
• Maintains accuracy and integrity of technical data used to inform decisions.
• Designs and executes research projects, collaborating with internal teams and partners.
• Shares knowledge with junior engineers and provides guidance on projects.
• Analyzes experimental data to draw conclusions and inform next steps.
• Applies packaging standards for FDA-regulated products (CCIT, ISO 11607, USP).
• Keeps current on regulatory trends and packaging technologies.

Job description

You will operate with a moderate degree of autonomy, executing projects from concept through commercialization under the guidance of senior technical and functional leadership. A proactive approach to identifying improvement opportunities and a strong drive for quality results is essential. This role requires strong communication skills to collaborate effectively across functions and support alignment with organizational goals. The Senior Engineer contributes to the technical development of less experienced engineers, applies packaging standards (e.g., CCIT, ISO 11607, USP, etc.) on assigned projects, and may represent the team in select regulatory interactions and technical forums.

Success requires strong problem-solving skills, sound technical judgment, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver packaging solutions. This role is accountable for delivering quality technical work that supports measurable business outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION, DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION:

• Demonstrate ownership of assigned technical work and sound problem-solving while progressing projects from concept to commercialization.
• Contribute to the packaging technical roadmap and ensure work aligns with project and business priorities.
• Maintain accuracy and integrity of technical data used to inform project decisions.
• Design and execute research projects or experiments, collaborating with internal teams and, where applicable, academic or industry partners.
• Share knowledge with and provide guidance to junior engineers on assigned projects.
• Analyze experimental data to draw sound conclusions and inform next steps in development.
• Apply appropriate statistical methods to support data-driven conclusions.
• Develop practical solutions to technical packaging challenges.
• Apply working knowledge of packaging standards for FDA-regulated products (e.g., CCIT, ISO 11607, USP) to assigned projects.
• Stay current on emerging technologies, regulatory trends, and scientific advancements in packaging, and share relevant updates with the team.

INNOVATION AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:

• Proactively identify opportunities for innovation and process improvement within assigned projects.
• Support strategic initiatives led by senior technical staff and contribute ideas that improve product performance, cost efficiency, or regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring projects from concept to launch, meeting assigned milestones.
• Support execution of innovation strategies, including evaluation of new technologies, methods, and potential IP opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of new products, technologies, and methods within area of responsibility.
• Help evaluate new tools or technologies that could improve team capabilities.

PROJECT SCOPING AND OWNERSHIP:

• Support definition and communication of project goals.
• Holds self-accountable for meeting project milestones, quality standards, and business objectives.
• Support post-launch evaluation and continuous improvement based on performance data.
• Demonstrate solid interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively and help resolve project challenges.
• Track progress against milestones, flag risks early, and support mitigation plans to help ensure timely, quality delivery.
• Prepare and present clear progress updates, status reports, and findings to project stakeholders and management.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

• Technical Contribution and Quality: Delivers packaging design work that meets intended performance, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Project Execution: Completes assigned technical work on time, within scope, and aligned to project priorities.
• Technical Problem Solving: Identifies packaging development challenges and contributes to effective resolution with sound technical rigor.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works effectively with cross-functional partners (Regulatory, Marketing, Operations, Quality) to support clear technical direction and project alignment.
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• Opportunity Awareness: Stays attuned to internal and external developments that could strengthen the packaging pipeline, and raises ideas to senior staff.
• Delivers assigned work on time, within scope, and with sound technical quality.
• Takes ownership of assigned tasks and proactively flags and helps resolve barriers to success.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field required.
• Advanced degree a plus.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE:

• New product development experience in a regulated environment.
• Packaging development experience for FDA-regulated products.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• 5+ years of relevant experience in product development and R&D support, with a demonstrated track record of packaging development responsibilities.

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Strong analytical thinking capabilities and mindset.
• Strong sense of accountability and commitment to delivering results with quality and timeliness.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize and present technical information clearly.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks with general guidance.
• Ability to manage multiple projects of moderate complexity.
• Ability to learn and apply new systems, tools, and programs.
• Self-motivated, dependable, and detail oriented.
• Resourceful, with the ability to find practical solutions to technical problems.
• Demonstrated accountability for individual project tasks and deliverables.
• Proactive contributor who takes ownership of assigned work.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Mix of lab, manufacturing, and office environments.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer-sponsored visa sponsorship.

SALARY RANGE:

$110k-$130k

BENEFITS

PDI is pleased to offer comprehensive and affordable benefits for our associates, which includes:

• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Vision
• 401(k) savings plan with company match and profit sharing
• Basic and supplemental Life and AD&D insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Short & long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Advocacy Program

PDI also offers many voluntary benefits such as: Legal services, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, ID theft and fraud protection, pet insurance and employee discounts.

At PDI, we are also committed to helping our associates maintain a healthy and sustainable work/life balance and are proud to provide associates with paid time off programs including sick & safe leave, vacation, company & floating holidays, paid parental leave, and depending on the position we also offer summer hours and flex place/flex time options.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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