R&D Engineer - Packaging
$90,000–$100,000 year
On-siteCharlotte, North Carolina, United States
Job Summary
Lead technical development of new flexible packaging products, structures, and technologies for customers across food, beverage, healthcare, and consumer products industries. Translate customer and market requirements into product specifications and engineered solutions while planning and executing pilot, production, and packaging validation trials. Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders throughout the product development lifecycle, coordinating project activities across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial teams. Develop subject matter expertise in key material and packaging technologies and monitor industry trends to drive innovation. Prepare technical reports, project plans, presentations, and development updates to support commercialization efforts through customer visits, supplier meetings, and industry conferences. Partner with sustainability, engineering, marketing, and sales teams to identify future product opportunities.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Packaging, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Plastics Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- 5–10 years of experience in product development, packaging engineering, manufacturing, or R&D.
- Experience with new product development and commercialization.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Excellent technical writing, presentation, and communication skills.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with flexible packaging manufacturing processes including: Blown film extrusion, Extrusion coating and laminating, Rotogravure or flexographic printing, Pouch converting, Form/Fill/Seal equipment.
- Knowledge of packaging materials including: Experience with retort or hot-fill packaging applications.
- Industry experience supporting food, pet food, dairy, coffee, frozen foods, healthcare, or personal care packaging.
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