Structural Packaging Designer

Smurfit Westrock; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 69,750 - 116,250; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401 K Matching

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Discounts

Wellness programs

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Richmond, VA, is seeking a Structural Packaging Designer to develop innovative, cost‑effective packaging concepts and CAD‑based prototypes for customer projects. You will collaborate with sales, project managers, and engineers to select materials, create 2D/3D drafts, and drive designs from concept to production, ensuring structural integrity and manufacturability.

Ideal candidates have a bachelor's in Industrial/Packaging Design and 2+ years of packaging design experience,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Packaging Design, or 3D development required.
• 2+ years of packaging/design/engineering experience required.
• Familiar with retailer specs, print production and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with CAD tables, digital printers, laminators and mounting substrates.
• Proven ability to drive projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative, cost effective, and structurally sound packaging concepts.
• Create dies in CAD, solicit customer feedback, and produce prototypes.
• Identify materials and fabrication processes for projects.
• Communicate concepts with sketches, CAD visuals, and samples.
• Support customers with design, setup, and structural integrity questions.
• Collaborate with sales, project managers, engineers, and designers.
• Onboard and train new design team members as needed.

Skills

Industrial design

Packaging design

3D development

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Creative thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Packaging Design, or 3D development

Tools

ESKO

Strata 3D Studio

Adobe

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Structural Packaging Designer

The Opportunity

The Packaging Designer will develop innovative, cost effective, and structurally sound packaging containers, gather project data from WestRock sales and project managers, create dies in the Computer Assisted Design (CAD) program, solicit, and incorporate customer feedback, and create prototypes for customer approval.

This position is located at the Richmond corrugated container facility.

How You Will Impact WestRock

• Intake customer project requests from customers and internal account representatives, confirm all critical information, and evaluate requests to ensure profitable fit and operational efficiency for WestRock and the customer
• Identify the necessary materials and manufacturing processes for the project and provide alternatives as appropriate
• Convey concepts with quick sketches, photos, and CAD visualization
• Produce samples and mock-ups using various design techniques and skills including drafting (2D/3D), foam core modeling, and knife tools and cutting tables
• Provide ongoing project support and answer all the customers’ questions related to the project’s design, set up, structural integrity, etc.
• Present project overview for production assembly teams and managers to provide insight into the components of the project from the designer’s perspective
• Collaborate with customers, sales managers, project managers, graphic designers, design managers, and engineers to determine the best design and development approach
• Develop presentation material and assist with the presentation of abstract ideas for formal presentations in a variety of settings (one-on-one, small, and large groups to include peers, supervisors and clients) in partnership with creative counterparts
• Create promotional materials and develop Bill of Material, Specifications, Palletization as necessary
• Work collaboratively with Design Manager, sales personnel and other designers and offices to develop customer programs
• Interact with Account Executives and others, including customers, to ascertain design needs and creative objectives
• Provide coaching and training to designer peers to build capability
• Onboard and train new design team members to ensure peers are effectively using WestRock systems/tools, and supporting customer needs

What You Need To Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Packaging Design, or other programs with emphasis on 3D development – Required
• 2+ years of experience in packaging and design, industrial design, engineering, or point of purchase display – Required.
• Familiarity with retailer specifications, print production, and manufacturing process
• Expertise with equipment and tools within a fabrication shop including digital printers, CAD table, laminators, and mounting substrates
• Proven track record of critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Creative thinking and ability to convey abstract ideas/concepts verbally or with quick sketches
• Demonstrated experience with Design software including enterprise Computer Assisted Design (i.e., ESKO), and 3D software (i.e., Strata 3D Studio Mac, Adobe, Microsoft office)
• Demonstrated ability to drive projects in a fast-paced deadline driven environment

What We Offer

Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.

Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities.

An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.

Generous benefits including 401 K Matching, Medical, Dental, Vision all starting day one, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Discounts, Wellness programs and much more!

A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

The salary range for this position is $69,750.00 - $116,250.00, depending on your role, level, and location. The range listed is also the expected pay for roles in Illinois and Colorado. The benefits for this role include short-term bonus incentive, health, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and paid sick leave as required by applicable state/local law, 15 days of paid vacation, and 11 days of paid holidays, subject to annual change. Your pay will be based on factors such as your skills, experience, and education.