Packaging Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Packaging Engineer
Location: Romeoville, IL
Hire Type: Contract-to-Hire, Onsite
Target Pay Rate: $55.00 - $65.00/hour (on contract) equivalent salary upon conversion 

Benefits: PTO, paid holidays, BCBS medical plans, dental/vision plans, 401(k), & ESOP program

Must-Have Skills:

• Packaging engineering experience within cosmetics, personal care, or consumer packaged goods (CPG)
• Experience developing primary and secondary packaging solutions
• Strong understanding of packaging materials including plastics, glass, aluminum, and paperboard
• Packaging testing experience including compatibility, stability, transport, and line trials
• CAD software proficiency (SolidWorks, ArtiosCAD, or similar)
• Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills

Job Summary:

Seeking a Packaging Engineer to lead the design, development, testing, and commercialization of innovative packaging solutions for cosmetic and personal care products. This role will partner with Product Development, Marketing, Quality, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to deliver packaging that meets brand, performance, regulatory, and manufacturing requirements while supporting sustainability and cost-saving initiatives.

Job Duties:

• Design and develop primary and secondary packaging components including bottles, jars, tubes, pumps, caps, cartons, and labels
• Translate product, consumer, and branding requirements into functional packaging solutions
• Lead packaging projects from concept through commercialization
• Conduct packaging feasibility studies and manage development timelines
• Perform packaging validation and testing, including compatibility, drop, leakage, compression, and transportation testing
• Support supplier qualification and onboarding activities
• Develop packaging specifications, drawings, BOMs, and technical documentation
• Provide technical support during manufacturing scale-up, validation, and product launch activities
• Troubleshoot packaging issues related to manufacturing, filling, and distribution processes
• Drive cost reduction, sustainability, and packaging performance improvement initiatives
• Stay current on packaging innovations, materials, and industry trends

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field required
• 2–5+ years of packaging engineering experience preferred
• Familiarity with cosmetic filling operations and manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of FDA, ISO, ASTM, and packaging regulatory requirements preferred
• Experience with sustainable packaging initiatives, including recyclability and PCR materials, is a plus
• Experience working with overseas suppliers is preferred
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience is a plus
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.