Sr Process Engineer - Packaging

Niagara Bottling, LLC; Diamond Bar (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Niagara Bottling, LLC in California is seeking a Senior Process Engineer – Packaging to design and optimize packaging systems across PET, canning, and cartons for multiple beverage lines. This role emphasizes adopting new technologies, cost saving retrofits, line efficiency, and product rollouts.

You will lead cross‑functional projects, justify CapEx with ROI analysis, and collaborate with vendors and operations to ensure successful commissioning.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in beverage processing or manufacturing.
• 4+ years in engineering project management.
• 4+ years managing people/projects (combined work experience and education acceptable).

Responsibilities

• Design PET, canning, and aseptic packaging systems with OEMs.
• Plan, design, validate new packaging processes and optimize existing ones.
• Lead packaging line design to meet current and future products.
• Develop ROI analyses and CapEx justifications for equipment.
• Coordinate RFQs and align specs with Product Development.
• Travel 15–20% domestically and internationally.

Skills

Beverage processing

Engineering project management

People/project management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field

Master’s Degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

At Niagara, we’re looking for Team Members to help achieve our mission of providing the highest quality, most affordable bottled water. Join us to work in an entrepreneurial environment, build lasting relationships, and develop a satisfying career. We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages.

Sr Process Engineer – Packaging

The Senior Process Engineer – Packaging is responsible for designing vertically integrated packaging equipment solutions across multiple formats—including PET, canning, and cartons—for the full range of Niagara's beverage products. This role emphasizes researching emerging technologies and driving initiatives such as new beverage lines, cost‑saving retrofits, line‑efficiency improvements, product rollouts, and other engineering projects driven by customer needs.

Essential Functions

• Provide technical expertise and collaborate with OEMs to design PET, canning, and aseptic packaging systems.
• Plan, design, and validate new packaging processes and optimize existing ones.
• Design packaging line processes to meet current matrix requirements and future‑proof upcoming products.
• Research emerging technologies related to packaging formats and innovations.
• Develop capital expenditure (CapEx) justifications, including ROI analysis, for new equipment and line modifications.
• Initiate RFQs and collaborate with Product Development teams to establish specifications and parameters for packaging equipment.
• Collaborate with vendors, project managers, and operations to support equipment installation and ensure successful commissioning.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to identify and implement process improvements that enhance equipment reliability.
• Lead root cause analysis investigations for chronic equipment or process issues and implement corrective actions.
• Identify cost savings opportunities and develop business plans to capture them.
• Travel 15–20% domestically and internationally.

Qualifications

• Minimum Requirements: 4years experience in beverage processing or manufacturing; 4years experience in engineering project management; 4years experience managing people/projects. (Combined work experience and education is acceptable.)
• Preferred Qualifications: 6years experience in beverage processing or manufacturing; 6years experience in engineering project management; 6years experience managing people/projects. (Combined work experience and education is acceptable.)

Competencies

• In‑depth knowledge of beverage packaging formats (PET, canning, aseptic cartons, paper).
• In‑depth knowledge of secondary packaging formats (packers, palletizers).
• Working knowledge of packaging equipment from major OEMs such as Krones, Sidel, KHS, Douglas.
• Strong understanding of the IQ/OQ/PQ process.
• Proficiency with CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks) for reviewing equipment drawings and line layouts.
• Understanding of OEE metrics and packaging line performance optimization.
• Project management competencies: planning, budgeting, schedule tracking, vendor management, cost controls.
• Experience leading capital projects from concept through commissioning and handoff.
• Ability to develop and present business cases, including ROI and CapEx justifications.
• Ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders, including operations, quality, and corporate leadership.
• Experience mentoring or providing technical guidance to junior engineers.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong verbal communication skills, including presenting technical information to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, and engineering drawings.
• Ability to work independently with limited direction and collaboratively in cross‑functional teams.

Education

• Minimum required: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field.
• Preferred: Master’s Degree in Engineering or related field.

Compensation

Salary range: $111,766.36 – $159,267.07 per year.

Benefits

Our Total Rewards package includes paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, medical (including virtual care), dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, mental well‑being benefits, family building benefits, income protection, special discount programs, tuition reimbursement, college savings plan, and more.

Niagara Bottling, LLC is an Equal‑Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in relation to our recruiting, hiring, and promoting practices.