Sr. Engineer, Packaging

Mars Incorporated; Franklin (TN); On-site; USD 105,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Incorporated is seeking a Senior Packaging Engineer to lead innovation, sustainability, and productivity initiatives across Mars Petcare North America's packaging portfolio. You will drive new package development, standardize processes across pilot and full-scale sites, and connect projects to deliver high-quality manufacturing outcomes.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and scalable packaging solutions, with a focus on protecting product integrity

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Packaging, Engineering, Chemistry, Food Science, or related technical field.
• 5–7+ years of packaging projects and technology development experience.
• Demonstrated experience with packaging designs.
• Strong understanding of machinery and scale-up risks.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Lead and manage high-impact packaging development projects across major portfolios.
• Advanced Specifications: Develop complex specs for multi-site projects across the value chain.
• Innovation & Scale-Up: Translate tech from proof-of-principle to full-scale machinery with partners and global teams.
• Risk & Opportunity Management: Identify and mitigate regional/site risks and coach junior staff.
• Associate Development: Mentor and support the technical growth of junior Packaging Engineers and Technologists.

Skills

Packaging design experience

Machinery & scale-up risk awareness

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging, Engineering, Chemistry, Food Science, or related field

Job description

Job Description

The Senior Packaging Engineer leads the development and deployment of innovation, sustainability, and productivity initiatives across Mars Petcare North America's packaging portfolio. Operating in a pet-friendly, collaborative environment, this role provides cross-functional leadership to support existing products, drive new package development, and standardize processes across pilot and full-scale manufacturing sites.

Success in this role requires connecting innovative workstreams with high-quality, consistent manufacturing outcomes to deliver packaging solutions that meet evolving pet parent needs. The Senior Packaging Engineer is responsible for leading large, business-critical projects with regional or brand-wide impact, ensuring alignment from concept through commercialization.

This role provides strong technical expertise and strategic insight, while owning the management and implementation of key packaging processes, standards, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Senior Packaging Engineer plays a critical role in driving operational excellence, influencing stakeholders, and advancing scalable, sustainable packaging solutions across the portfolio.

What are we looking for?

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Packaging, Engineering, Chemistry, Food Science, a related technical field or equivalent
• 5-7+ years' experience working on packaging projects and technology development
• Demonstrated experience with packaging designs
• Strong understanding of machinery and scale‑up risks
• Willingness to travel up to 30%

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree in Packaging, Engineering, Chemistry, Food Science, or a related technical field

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Technical Leadership: Lead and manage high-impact, complex packaging development projects spanning across major portfolios
• Advanced Specifications: Develop complex specifications for multi‑site and cross-functional projects, ensuring packaging robustness across the entire value chain
• Innovation & Scale‑Up: Translate technology from virtual/working proof‑of‑principle models to full‑scale working machinery in partnership with third‑party builders and global teams
• Risk & Opportunity Management: Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks of regional or site‑level impact. Cascade coaching on risk management tools to junior associates
• Associate Development: Mentor, coach, and support the technical development of junior Packaging Engineers and Technologists within the team

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best‑in‑class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in‑house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

Mars does not sponsor visas for this role.

This position is not eligible for relocation benefits.