Structural Designer III

Graphic Packaging International; Carol Stream (IL); On-site; USD 66,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

401(k) w/employer matching

Health & Welfare Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and Rx

Job summary

Graphic Packaging International is seeking a Structural Designer III to develop and modify paperboard carton structures. You will produce production‑ready drawings and prototypes using ArtiosCAD and SAP, ensuring designs meet customer and plant specifications while driving value, quality and time efficiency.

The role requires a strong mechanical aptitude, CAD proficiency, and collaboration with design, sales and manufacturing teams to deliver optimized packaging solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience with folding paperboard carton structures is preferred.
• Proficiency with ArtiosCAD and SAP is required or highly preferred.
• Strong mechanical knowledge and CAD–based design skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor design requests and back‑log, ensuring timely delivery.
• Execute carton design tasks to customer/plant specifications (production ready).
• Develop alternative designs for form, function, and cost savings.
• Coordinate with cross‑functional teams and customers during design projects.

Skills

Carton design

Mechanical aptitude

Structural design

Team collaboration

Education

College degree in industrial design/packaging engineering or related field

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

ArtiosCAD

SAP

MS-Office

Job description

About Graphic

At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.

With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.

A World of Difference. Made Possible.

Position Scope

We have an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated self-starter for the position of Structural Designer III. The ideal candidate will have solid working knowledge of paperboard substrates, carton structure design, and paperboard converting processes. This position requires hands‑on Structural Design process execution (existing carton structure reverse‑engineering activities, conceptual and production‑ready one‑up drawing development, plotter sample generation, etc.) in a team‑based environment. This position’s responsibilities include effectively and efficiently meeting internal and external customer needs, expectations, and requirements; as well as confronting complex processes and technical challenges requiring direct involvement, understanding, and support to reach resolution.

Job Summary

The mission of the Innovation and Design (I&D) organization is to bring forth new packaging solutions through creative structural and manufacturing design, working collaboratively with our customer service, sales, internal graphic designers, machinery and systems engineers, business development team members, market and product managers, manufacturing and quality assurance personnel, key supplier partners and ultimately interfacing with customers to understand their unmet needs, consumer unmet needs, and marketing objectives.

The Structural Design team, within Innovation and Design, is responsible for the development of, and modification to, both new and existing paperboard carton structure designs. The primary output of the Structural Design team is comprehensive, production‑ready one‑up drawings, which are ultimately used to design, specify, and procure production tooling for manufacturing of finished paperboard cartons. The secondary output are conceptual one‑up drawings that meet and exceed the requirements of the end customer. The overall Structural Design process is accomplished utilizing ArtiosCAD and SAP software applications as well as sample plotter tables for prototypes.

Position Main Responsibilities

Structural Design and Software use

• Actively monitor, maintain, and control work schedule and back‑log (design requests, plotter sample requests, conversion request, etc.)
• Full understanding and utilization of the Artios CAD system to execute Carton Design tasks to required customer and plant specifications (conceptual designs and production ready).
• Fully apply all GPI Design standards and customer and plant specification formats during Carton Design process for responsible product line (customers and platform e.g. Microwave, Zflute, Litho/Micro flute, CPD, Beverage, etc.).
• Must be certified in at least 2 design platforms
• Accurately finalize one‑up carton design specifications prior to release for converting and machinery organizations.
• Develops pro‑active alternative designs for better form & function, on shelf appearance, sustainability, increased production efficiency, cost savings and/or margin improvement.
• Uses 2D and 3D conceptualization techniques
• Cut qualifying and prototype samples for customer and testing

Teamwork and Coordination of Design Projects

• Coordinate with other designers working on projects
• Complete Carton Design projects while fully coordinating with customer, sales, customer service, manufacturing design, and carton converting groups as required
• Function as an effective global leader and focal point for design‑related detail and general communication. Produce materials to support the communication process when required.
• In‑depth interaction with customer representatives during the packaging design process.

Continuous Improvement Project Management

• Identify and develop Continuous Improvement initiatives
• Drive the development and modification of CAD design standards, tools, processes and training materials
• Assist in development & apply design related documentation, process detail, specifications, and intellectual property protection processes
• Actively participate in, and contribute to, local Culture Development ideas, initiatives, and activities
• Search out and implement cost saving initiatives

Skill Development and learning

• Train & mentor less experienced designers in Carton Design disciplines and procedures.
• Actively participate in employee certification and re‑certification activities (must be certified in ArtiosCAD, Plotter Room, Structural Design I-II, and at least 1 specialty product lines (e.g. Microwave, ZFlute, Fluted, QSR, Detergent, etc.))

Other

• Other duties as assigned.

Your skills will be developed through the varied experiences you obtain as well as extensive on‑job training.

Required

• Dynamic, flexible, and personable team player with the ability to participate in team activities to achieve desired results
• Effective time management and project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments and meet short deadlines
• Ability to effectively communicate at all levels within the organization
• Ability to work independently while supporting team goals and objectives
• Ability to apply initiative and exercise good judgment when making timely decisions based on data, facts, and experience
• Technical and analytical skills
• Strong visual (2D and 3D) skills, communications, conceptual skills, attention to detail, design sensitivity as well as mechanical aptitude.
• Highly detail-oriented and focused
• High geometry and algebra math skills
• Willingness to learn and to be trained
• Apply initiative and exercise good judgment when making timely decisions based on data, facts, and experience
• Solid computer skills
• High proficiency with computer systems: MS‑Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• High School Diploma or GED

Highly Preferred

• College degree in industrial design, packaging engineering/science or other related field, or equivalent professional experience
• High‑level of mechanical knowledge and aptitude for die cutting, production tooling design, finishing processes, and graphics layout
• Prior demonstrated experience (1.5‑3 years) with folding paperboard carton structure design
• Working knowledge of paperboard substrates
• Working knowledge of carton structural design
• Working knowledge of tooling design
• Knowledge of filling line machinery
• Prior experience with ArtiosCAD and SAP
• Any level of LEAN / Six Sigma education and experience

Position Competencies

• Integrity and Trust (Core GPI Competency)
• Action Oriented (Core GPI Competency)
• Priority Setting
• Learning on the fly
• Creativity
• Customer Focus
• Drive for Results
• Decision Quality
• Organizing
• Composure

Disclaimer

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Graphic Packaging retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Pay Range

$65,500.00 - $81,900.00

GPI Benefits Program

• Competitive Pay
• 401(k) w/employer matching
• Health & Welfare Benefits
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• Short and Long‑Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Various Voluntary benefits
• Adoption Assistance Program
• Employee Discount Programs
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off + paid company holidays each year

Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier‑free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email [e-mail].