Senior Packaging Engineer

Job Title: Senior Packaging EngineerJob Description

The Senior Packaging Engineer leads the development and execution of packaging projects across multiple brands, guiding initiatives from initial concept through full-scale implementation. In this role, you plan and manage packaging development in alignment with R&D, marketing, and manufacturing requirements, conducting bench-top experimentation, pilot plant trials, and plant trials to validate performance. You ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) requirements to safeguard product safety and quality. You leverage your technical expertise in materials, design principles, and manufacturing processes to create robust and visually appealing packaging solutions from primary pack to pallet level, while actively contributing to intellectual property development and supporting commercialization activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of packaging projects across multiple brands from concept through commercialization.

• Plan and manage packaging development activities in alignment with R&D, marketing, manufacturing, and other business requirements.

• Conduct bench-top experimentation to evaluate material properties, performance, and suitability for intended applications.

• Design, plan, and conduct analytical testing, line trials, pilot plant trials, and full-scale plant trials to validate packaging performance.

• Ensure adherence to good manufacturing practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) requirements to maintain product safety and quality.

• Lead plant trials for packaging materials, coordinating closely with Marketing, Procurement, Business Development, Production, Supply Chain, and Quality teams.

• Properly plan, coordinate, and document packaging trials, including preparing trial objectives, providing technical support, and troubleshooting issues during execution.

• Generate clear and comprehensive technical reports, analyze trial and test data, and make recommendations based on findings.

• Create and maintain technical specifications, die lines, artwork processes, and mockups for packaging initiatives.

• Build and maintain strong relationships and ongoing communication with key packaging material vendors to support new concepts, materials, and quality improvements.

• Leverage and challenge suppliers and partners to develop new technologies and cost-advantaged, sustainable packaging formats and materials that support business goals.

• Generate, develop, and execute packaging ideas that utilize both existing equipment and new equipment to optimize performance and efficiency.

• Apply deep technical knowledge of flexible, rigid, paperboard, and corrugated materials to design packaging solutions from primary pack to pallet level.

• Communicate project status, risks, and results effectively to stakeholders across functions.

• Actively identify and support the protection of intellectual property related to packaging innovations.

• Troubleshoot issues arising from package development, line trials, and commercialization with limited supervision, ensuring timely resolution and continuous improvement.

• Manage packaging projects within cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment on timelines, deliverables, and objectives.

• Support commercialization of new packaging initiatives by ensuring smooth transition from development to full-scale production.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the food industry with a proven track record of executing successful plant trials for R&D.

• Demonstrated experience managing projects within cross-functional teams.

• Hands-on experience in the development, trials, and commercialization of packaging initiatives.

• Strong background working with flexible, rigid, paperboard, and corrugated packaging materials.

• Preferred experience in flexible film development and modified atmosphere packaging.

• Planning and project management abilities, including the ability to coordinate multiple concurrent projects.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret test data and trial results and translate them into actionable recommendations.

• Advanced troubleshooting skills for resolving packaging, line trial, and commercialization issues with limited supervision.

• Experience creating and managing technical specifications, die lines, artwork processes, and packaging mockups.

• Technical expertise in packaging engineering and commercialization within the food industry.

• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in packaging engineering for food products, including commercialization activities.

• background in flexible films and pilot plant operations.

• Familiarity with modified atmosphere packaging and its application in food packaging.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with Marketing, Procurement, Business Development, Production, Supply Chain, and Quality teams.

• Experience working closely with packaging material vendors to develop new concepts and drive quality improvements.

• Capability to identify and contribute to intellectual property development related to packaging innovations.

• Comfort working in a large, global organization with established brands and complex supply chains.

Work Environment

This role is based at a large East Hanover site with approximately 400 employees, where most team members follow a hybrid work schedule with onsite presence two to three days per week and remote options typically available on Mondays and Fridays. The position requires being local to East Hanover to support onsite activities, including pilot plant and plant trials, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and direct oversight of packaging development on production lines. You will work in a dynamic environment that includes factories, offices, research and development facilities, and distribution activities across a global network. The organization operates in more than 80 countries and focuses on leading brands in biscuits, baked snacks, chocolate, gum, candy, cheese, grocery, and powdered beverages. The culture emphasizes innovation in packaging technologies, sustainable and cost-advantaged solutions, and close collaboration with material suppliers. Employees and consultants at this site enjoy free lunch Monday through Friday, contributing to a supportive and engaging workplace.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of East Hanover, NJ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $57.69 - $69.71/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in East Hanover,NJ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 20, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.