Senior Packaging Engineer (UFOS)

Location: Minneapolis, MN also Remote Eligible (U.S.)
Schedule: Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Travel: Up to 10%
Team: Pet R&D Packaging Team

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Packaging Engineer to join our R&D Packaging team . In this role, you will work as part of a highly collaborative cross-functional team focused on supporting pet food packaging innovation, cost optimization, manufacturing support, and product quality initiatives.

You'll partner closely with teams across Research & Development, Sourcing, Quality, Engineering, Marketing, and Operations to deliver packaging solutions that support new product launches, drive continuous improvement, and ensure reliable manufacturing performance.

This is an excellent opportunity for a packaging professional who enjoys balancing technical problem-solving, project leadership, supplier collaboration, and innovation within a fast-paced consumer packaged goods environment.

What You'll Do

Packaging Development & Innovation

Lead packaging development activities that support innovation, cost savings, and core business initiatives.
Identify and advance technical packaging opportunities that improve performance, efficiency, and margins.
Apply packaging and material expertise to solve technical challenges and support continuous improvement efforts.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders across R&D, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Marketing, and Sourcing.
Collaborate with suppliers and external partners to evaluate new packaging technologies and solutions.
Support packaging trials, product launches, and manufacturing initiatives.

Testing & Validation

Plan, conduct, and manage packaging experiments, supplier trials, and technical evaluations.
Analyze data and provide recommendations based on results.
Ensure packaging solutions meet quality, performance, and manufacturing requirements.

Documentation & Communication

Create and maintain technical packaging specifications and drawings.
Document project plans, test results, financial analyses, and recommendations.
Provide clear project updates and technical communication to stakeholders and leadership.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or a related field.
Minimum 5 years of packaging engineering experience.
Strong understanding of the product commercialization process, from packaging design through manufacturing implementation.
Experience applying engineering and process improvement solutions within consumer packaged goods (CPG) environments.
Experience creating technical packaging drawings and specifications.
Experience working with manufacturing facilities, engineering firms, vendors, and contractors.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
Self-motivated with excellent project and time management abilities.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Proficiency with:
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Microsoft 365
- SharePoint
- TOPS
Ability to travel up to 10%.

Preferred

7+ years of packaging development experience.
Experience in food manufacturing, pet food manufacturing, or a related industry.
Experience working with Interspec or similar Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
Knowledge of pet food manufacturing processes and packaging requirements.

What Success Looks Like

Successfully supporting packaging innovation and product launch initiatives.
Driving packaging improvements that enhance efficiency, quality, and cost performance.
Building strong partnerships with internal teams and external suppliers.
Delivering projects on time while maintaining high technical and quality standards.
Contributing technical expertise that helps advance the business and strengthen packaging capabilities.

Jobs at Equity Packaging, Inc.