Staff Engineer II

Packaging Corporation of America; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Health, dental, vision coverage for 30

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

Packaging Corporation of America is seeking a Staff Engineer II to lead initiatives that improve manufacturing processes, reduce costs, and enhance quality. You will design cost-effective solutions and champion transformation through hands-on leadership and collaboration.

The role requires a mechanical engineering degree, 5+ years in related environments, strong communication, and the ability to travel up to 80%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5+ years in an industrial paper/corrugating or design engineering environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 80% and ability to reside anywhere in the lower 48 states.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to manufacturing operations.
• Evaluate, select, and apply standard engineering techniques and criteria.
• Manage multiple capital and maintenance projects from planning to troubleshooting.
• Generate drawings, specifications, and instructions for project requirements.
• Ensure safety and environmental compliance on all project designs.

Skills

Verbal & written communication

Independent & collaborative work

Organizational & planning skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

Posted Monday, January 5, 2026 at 6:00 AM

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.

Staff Engineer II – Innovate, Lead, and Drive Operational Excellence

As a Staff Engineer II, you’ll be the technical expert, leading initiatives and projects that improve manufacturing processes, reduce costs, and enhance quality. You’ll design and implement optimal, cost-effective solutions, and champion transformation efforts through hands‑on leadership and collaboration.

About PCA

PCA is the third-largest manufacturer of containerboard and corrugated packaging in the U.S. We’re more than a packaging company—we’re an ideas and solutions partner. Our culture thrives on innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement. With three dynamic business units—Containerboard, White Paper, and Corrugated Plants—we produce billions of square feet of corrugated products annually, backed by a commitment to quality and growth.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support to the business and manufacturing operations.
• Evaluate, select, and apply standard engineering techniques, procedures and criteria using judgment in making minor adaptations and modifications.
• Provide project management support across the business when and where needed as projects arise.
• Involved in developing business and/or capital plans.
• Make actionable recommendations based on sound engineering judgment.
• Manage multiple capital and maintenance projects, including initial planning, design, documenting, budgeting, implementation, and troubleshooting.
• Must be able to generate drawings, specifications, and instructions necessary to convey project requirements to others.
• Dedication to ensuring a safe work environment. Ensure that safety/environmental requirements are adhered to on all project designs and that all projects receive adequate hazard reviews prior to installation. Responsible for managing safety during installation/implementation.
• Coordinates and supervises work scope with outside contractors and engineering groups on various sized projects.
• Maintain projects on budget and on schedule.
• Write reports and give presentations based on analysis of information and written materials.
• Ability to organize, plan and work independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology from an accredited college or university. Other degrees considered with substantial experience.
• Ability to travel 80% of the time and can reside anywhere in lower 48 states with good access to reliable air transportation.
• 5 + years in an industrial paper and/or corrugating environment or design engineering environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to influence and persuade others.
• Excellent organization and planning skills.
• Ability to work well with consulting engineers, local utility providers, and local authorities having jurisdiction.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and AutoCAD (or similar).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Starting salary range for position: $110,000-$140,000
• Bonus: Annual – Based upon individual contribution and overall, Company performance.
• Paid Vacation: Three (3) weeks per calendar year. Pro-rata Vacation during the initial year of hire based upon start date within the calendar year.
• Paid Holidays.
• Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision – and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
• Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre‑tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.
• Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA’s good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer