Sustainable Coatings Engineer for Packaging

Capstone Search Advisors; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Capstone Search Advisors has partnered with a leading organization in the packaging industry to identify an experienced Product Development Engineer with a passion for sustainability, innovation, and technical problem-solving.

This role focuses on developing environmentally responsible coating solutions for paper and packaging, driving recyclability and renewable content while ensuring strong functional performance across production scales.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Paper Science, or related).
• 10+ years of experience in product development, formulation, or related technical field.
• Experience with coatings, paper, paperboard, packaging, or related materials preferred.
• Strong mechanical and chemical aptitude with hands-on problem solving.
• Knowledge of coating technologies, paper properties, and converting processes.
• Understanding of packaging sustainability drivers (recyclability, renewables, circular economy).
• Familiarity with FDA packaging regulations, SDS management, and product stewardship.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Willingness to travel periodically for customer trials and external technical support.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize coating formulations to meet performance and environmental goals.
• Simulate production conditions to scale from lab to manufacturing.
• Troubleshoot coating performance and end-use functionality issues.
• Incorporate sustainability considerations across material sourcing to end-of-life.
• Collaborate with suppliers to identify greener alternatives to traditional materials.
• Support SDS documentation and regulatory compliance efforts.
• Assist field trials and customer collaborations to validate new coatings.
• Apply knowledge of paper properties and converting processes to coating decisions.

Skills

Product development

Coatings

Sustainability

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Paper Science, or related

Tools

SDS management

FDA packaging regulations

Job description

Capstone Search Advisors has partnered with a leading organization in the packaging industry to identify an experienced Product Development Engineer with a passion for sustainability, innovation, and technical problem-solving.

This role focuses on developing environmentally responsible coating solutions for paper and packaging, driving recyclability and renewable content while ensuring strong functional performance across production scales.