Senior Packaging & Material Handling Systems Designer

WSP in the U.S.; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Senior Packaging & Material Handling Systems Designer to support the growth of our Facilities and Industrial Systems practice. The role requires delivering high-quality packaging system designs from concept through construction and mentoring junior designers.

Ideal candidates bring strong technical leadership, CAD 2D/3D proficiency (AutoCAD, Inventor), and experience across packaging, material handling, and manufacturing environments.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• 9+ years of progressive experience in packaging systems, material handling, or industrial facilities design.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work directly with clients and stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD (2D/3D); experience with Inventor or similar 3D modeling tools.
• Demonstrated experience leading or independently executing complex packaging system layouts.
• Ability to interpret and work with scan data and point cloud files.
• Understanding of manufacturing, food & beverage, or equipment-based environments.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and development of packaging and material handling systems, including conveyors, process layouts, and equipment integration.
• Produce and review CAD and 2D/3D design deliverables; develop drawings, PFDs, P&IDs, and bid/construction packages.
• Perform mass balances, conveyor calculations, layouts, and related technical documentation.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior designers and drafters; delegate tasks and monitor quality/schedule.
• Support project execution, scope development, and coordination with project managers.
• Lead and participate in site visits for data collection, conditions verification, and installation support.
• Present design deliverables to clients in virtual and in-person settings.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, clients, vendors, and contractors.
• Apply constructability, safety, and operational considerations throughout design.

Skills

Strong communication

Leadership/mentorship

Scan data interpretation

Travel readiness

Packaging system design

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

AutoCAD

Inventor

Job description

The Opportunity

WSP is seeking a Senior Packaging & Material Handling Systems Designer to support the growth of our Facilities and Industrial Systems practice. This role is ideal for an experienced designer who brings strong technical expertise, leadership capability, and the ability to deliver high-quality packaging system designs from concept through construction.

This role is open to candidates based in our Meridian, ID; Houston, TX; Plover, WI; or Minneapolis, MN offices.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design and development of packaging and material handling systems, including conveyors, process layouts, and equipment integration.


• Produce and review CAD and 2D/3D design deliverables in accordance with WSP, client, and industry standards. Develop and review physical building layout drawings, equipment and system drawings, PFDs, P&IDs, and bid and construction packages


• Perform and contribute to mass balances, conveyor calculations, layouts, and related technical documentation.


• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior designers and drafters, including task delegation, quality control, and schedule coordination.


• Support project execution, including scope development, schedule adherence, and coordination with project managers.


• Lead and participate in site visits for data collection, existing conditions verification, and construction/installation support.


• Present design deliverables to clients in both virtual and in-person settings.


• Collaborate closely with multi-disciplinary engineering teams, clients, vendors, and contractors.


• Apply constructability, safety, and operational considerations throughout the design process.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma


• 9+ years of progressive experience in packaging systems, material handling, or industrial facilities design.


• Strong communication skills and the ability to work directly with clients and project stakeholders.


• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD (2D/3D); experience with Inventor or similar 3D modeling tools.


• Demonstrated experience leading or independently executing complex packaging system layouts.


• Ability to interpret and work with scan data and point cloud files.


• Strong understanding of manufacturing, food & beverage, or equipment-based environments.


• Willingness to travel approximately 10-30%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical Design degree or related education.


• Experience designing food or beverage packaging or manufacturing systems.


• Knowledge of simulation tools and system optimization techniques.


• Prior experience supporting construction or installation activities.


• Familiarity with multidisciplinary project delivery in a consulting environment.

WSP Benefits

• coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life


• retirement savings


• paid sick leave


• paid vacation (or other personal time)


• paid parental leave


• paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings

Compensation

Expected Hourly (all locations): $35.15 - $51.25

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and or federal law.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.