Staff Engineer, R&D Packaging - Wayne, NJ

With a passion for life

Join our diverse teams of passionate people and a career that allows you to develop both personally and professionally. At Getinge we exist to make life-saving technology accessible for more people. To make a true difference for our customers – and to save more lives, we need team players, forward thinkers, and game changers.

Are you looking for an inspiring career? You just found it.

Job Overview

This position serves as a technical leader and subject matter expert for packaging systems, labeling, and sterile barrier solutions supporting Cardiac Surgery and Vascular Intervention product portfolios. This role drives the development, validation, commercialization, lifecycle management, and continuous improvement of complex packaging systems while ensuring compliance with global regulatory requirements.

The Staff Packaging Engineer provides strategic technical leadership across multiple programs, mentors engineers, influences packaging standards and best practices, partners with cross-functional stakeholders, and leads initiatives that improve product quality, patient safety, manufacturing efficiency, supply continuity, and total cost of ownership

Job Responsibilities and Essential Duties

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the packaging engineering subject matter expert (SME) for sterile and non-sterile medical device packaging systems.
• Lead packaging strategy, design, development, validation, and commercialization activities for new product development and sustaining engineering projects.
• Establish technical direction for packaging technologies, materials, validation methodologies, and packaging standards.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, reliability, sustainability, manufacturability, and cost optimization.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to packaging engineers and cross-functional project teams.

Packaging Development

• Lead the design and development of sterile barrier systems and protective packaging solutions in compliance with ISO 11607 and applicable global regulations.
• Evaluate and select packaging materials based on product requirements, sterilization compatibility, transportation risks, shelf-life requirements, and environmental considerations.
• Guide packaging architecture decisions across product platforms and manufacturing sites.
• Lead packaging component specifications, drawings, and technical documentation development.
• Support platform standardization and harmonization initiatives across the portfolio.

Validation and Compliance

• Develop and approve validation strategies and protocols including: IQ, OQ, PQ, Process validation, Packaging validation, Package integrity testing, Transportation simulation testing, Accelerated and real-time aging studies, and Labeling system validation
• Lead risk assessments utilizing Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), Process FMEA, and hazard analysis methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 11607, ISO 13485, FDA 21 CFR Part 820, EU MDR, UDI requirements and Global medical device regulations

Manufacturing and Operations Support

• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to implement robust packaging solutions.
• Lead resolution of packaging-related manufacturing issues and non-conformances.
• Support investigations, CAPAs, complaint trending, and quality system activities.
• Drive process capability improvements through statistical analysis and data-driven decision-making.
• Lead supplier qualification activities and packaging component change management.

Strategic and Business Impact

• Lead cross-functional projects with significant business, technical, and regulatory complexity.
• Identify and execute cost reduction opportunities through packaging redesign, material optimization, and supplier management.
• Support business continuity initiatives related to packaging materials and suppliers.
• Influence organizational packaging standards, engineering practices, and technology roadmaps.
• Present technical recommendations and project updates to senior leadership.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical discipline. Master's degree in Engineering, Packaging Engineering, or related discipline (preferred).
• Minimum 8+ of progressively responsible packaging engineering experience preferably within the medical device, pharmaceutical, or regulated healthcare industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex packaging development and validation programs from concept through commercialization.
• Proven track record influencing technical decisions across cross-functional teams.
• Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) or equivalent professional certification (preferred).
• Experience supporting Class II and Class III medical devices (preferred).
• Experience working in global manufacturing environments (preferred).
• Experience leading or mentoring engineering teams (preferred).

Technical Expertise

• Expert knowledge of ISO 11607 Parts 1 & 2, ISO 13485, ASTM packaging standards, Medical device packaging validation methodologies, Sterile barrier systems, Cleanroom packaging processes and Labeling regulations and UDI requirements
• Strong understanding of Design Controls, Risk Management (ISO 14971), CAPA systems, Change Control, Complaint Investigations and Validation requirements

Analytical Skills

• Advanced statistical analysis capability using Minitab or equivalent tools.
• Process capability analysis and design of experiments (DOE).
• Root cause investigation and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Ability to interpret complex technical data and make risk-based decisions.

Leadership Skills

• Ability to influence without direct authority.
• Strong project leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Effective mentoring and coaching of engineering personnel.
• Strong presentation and communication skills with senior management and external stakeholders.

Preferred Software Proficiency in Minitab, SAP and/or PLM systems, Labeling systems, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, TOPS, CAPE, Microsoft Office Suite and Statistical and data analysis software

Salary range: $120k -$145k plus bonus targeted at 10% (depending on overall company performance) 

#LI-LG1

About us 

With a firm belief that every person and community should have access to the best possible care, Getinge provides hospitals and life science institutions with products and solutions aiming to improve clinical results and optimize workflows. The offering includes products and solutions for intensive care, cardiovascular procedures, operating rooms, sterile reprocessing and life science. Getinge employs over 12,000 people worldwide and the products are sold in more than 135 countries.  

Benefits at Getinge:

At Getinge, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance benefits
• 401k plan with company match
• Paid Time Off
• Wellness initiative & Health Assistance Resources
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability Benefits
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Parental and Caregiver Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement

Getinge is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.