Packaging Engineer

Job Title: Packaging Engineer

Division: Operations: Development and Packaging NA
Location: Clark, NJ
Reports To: Director, Packaging Engineering


Who We Are:

For more than a century, L'Oréal has devoted its energy, innovation, and scientific excellence solely to one business: Beauty. Our goal is to offer each and every person around the world the best of beauty in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, sincerity and responsibility to satisfy all beauty needs and desires in their infinite diversity.

At L'Oréal Operations, we create innovative, inclusive, and sustainable beauty together with our business partners by designing, developing, sourcing, manufacturing, and distributing over 6 billion products globally every year. We support over 36 brands across four L'Oréal divisions. We are consumer-oriented, and we act responsibly all along the value chain.

Position Purpose:

As a Packaging Engineer, you will actively build foundational technical expertise while executing packaging development projects under the guidance of senior technical leads. In this dynamic entry-level role, you will learn to apply core engineering principles to support product launches and renovations for our portfolio of iconic beauty brands, contributing directly to the team's vision and operational commitments.

You will gain hands-on experience navigating the packaging lifecycle from conception through industrialization, developing an understanding of technical feasibility, tooling, and plant execution. Collaborating across cross-functional partners and our supplier network, you will learn to champion quality, sustainability, and courageous solutions that support brand growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Acumen & Communication

• Build an understanding of brand priorities and project lifecycles to effectively communicate technical updates, timelines, and progress to cross-functional partners.
• Learn to anticipate technical and timeline risks under guidance, escalating blocking points in a structured and timely manner to protect launch milestones.
• Support project tracking and reporting routines, ensuring transparent communication across domestic and international partners.

Cross-Functional Influence & Collaboration

• Partner closely with Development, Marketing, Quality, Plant Operations, and external suppliers to coordinate project deliverables and technical requirements.
• Participate in supplier technical evaluations, learning to assess supplier capabilities and alignment with L'Oréal quality standards.
• Collaborate with manufacturing sites and contract fillers to support seamless first component reception quality and industrial line trials.

Technical Excellence

• Learn and apply the principles of design to conception and design to cost, supporting the engineering and optimization of packaging components.
• Assist in tooling development, review and approval of 2D/3D technical drawings, and execution of component validation protocols.
• Fully own specifications and technical milestones within project timelines to ensure on-time technical validations.
• Define and coordinate laboratory testing plans (compatibility, functional, and homologation); analyze, interpret, and report results to stakeholders.
• Build foundational proficiency in packaging systems (MINDS, Compak), product conception processes, regulatory requirements, and AI-powered tools to drive efficiency and informed decision-making.
• Support L'Oréal's 2030 commitments by learning to implement sustainable materials, recyclability standards, and value analysis initiatives.

What We Are Looking For:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 0-2 years of relevant experience (including formal packaging engineering internships or co-ops), preferably within cosmetics, personal care, or FMCG.
• Foundational knowledge of packaging materials (plastics, glass, paper/folding cartons) and manufacturing processes (molding, extrusion, decorating).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple project priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting technical data to collaborative teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% to domestic and/or international suppliers and manufacturing plants.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Academic exposure to or internship experience with CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and specification management databases.
• Familiarity with secondary packaging, assembly instructions, or basic plant packaging lines.
• French, Spanish, or Portuguese language skills are a plus.

What's In It For You:

• Compensation Range: $65,400-$91,500 (The actual compensation will depend on a variety of job-related factors which may include geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level)
• Competitive Benefit Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
• Hybrid Work Policy (3 Days in Office, 2 Days Work from Home)
• Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
• Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L'Oréal's Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
• Learning & Development Opportunities for Career Progression (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
• Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
• Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs

Closing Statements:

Don't meet every single requirement? At L'Oréal, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with the qualifications listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways! You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or disability, or any other legally protected status.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting View email address on click.appcast.io . If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time.

Our Safe Together Plan: Your safety is our highest priority. We will proceed with caution and adhere to enhanced protection standards to ensure our sites are safe for all employees. We must all operate with the shared responsibility for each other's health & safety in mind.