R&D Packaging Engineer

Job Title:  R&D Packaging Engineer

Location: Belcamp, MD

Employment Type:  Direct Hire

Industry:  Packaging

Compensation: 90,000 to $116,000K

About the Opportunity:

The Research & Development Packaging Engineer is responsible for designing, prototyping, testing, and improving packaging solutions for cold chain, retail, food service, healthcare, and standard distribution products. This role supports new product development through product testing, analysis, documentation, and laboratory management while partnering closely with Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Purchasing, and Operations teams to bring new packaging solutions to market.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

•Supportive, team-driven culture that values collaboration, transparency, and accountability

•Opportunity to grow your career with a global workforce solutions leader serving multiple industries

•People-first environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work

•Strong focus on partnership, innovation, and delivering meaningful results for clients and candidates

Why This Opportunity is Exciting:

This role offers the chance to join a company that prioritizes both people and performance—where your contributions directly impact client success while giving you room to grow and develop professionally.

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

Sound like a good fit?

What You'll Do:

• Plan, execute, and document thermal and physical testing in compliance with industry and quality standards (ISTA, 21 CFR Part 11, GMP/GLP, etc.).
• Program, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory testing and fabrication equipment.
• Partner with project teams to develop testing schedules and project timelines.
• Coordinate with Quality to maintain lab certifications, equipment calibrations, and documentation requirements.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment.
• Collect, analyze, and present test data; prepare protocols, qualification reports, and experimental documentation.
• Execute laboratory and production-based testing to support new product development and product improvement initiatives.
• Perform thermal modeling, simulation, and analysis of temperature-controlled packaging systems.
• Support continuous improvement efforts across testing, innovation, and development processes.
• Monitor equipment and resource utilization to help prioritize projects and optimize lab capacity.
• Communicate effectively with cross-functional and remote teams through clear verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrate initiative, professionalism, accountability, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships while adhering to company values, policies, and ethical standards.
• Respond proactively to equipment issues and project obstacles, focusing on both immediate and long-term solutions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Prior experience in a laboratory, manufacturing, production, operations, or testing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to troubleshoot engineered designs and recommend improvements based on data analysis.
• Experience developing and executing test protocols in collaboration with Quality, Project Management, Engineering, and Sales/Marketing teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills in both laboratory and field settings.
• Fundamental understanding of thermodynamics and heat transfer principles.
• Experience using thermal analysis software such as SmartCAE, SimCenter, or ANSYS.
• CAD/CAM experience, particularly with SolidWorks.
• Experience operating and maintaining CNC equipment.
• Experience in cold chain packaging or temperature-controlled distribution.
• Prior experience in an R&D testing laboratory.
• Experience supporting product innovation initiatives involving packaging design, sustainability, rapid prototyping, advanced insulating materials, manufacturing processes, or phase change materials.

What Sets You Apart:

• ISTA Certified Thermal Professional (CTP I) certification or willingness to obtain within the first 6 months.

Additional Information:

After you , you may receive a call or message from our AI Talent Scout about this role or other opportunities that match your skills and preferences. AI agent role is to help speed up your hiring process by answering questions, confirming basic information, and identifying whether there's a mutual fit.

The call or chat may be recorded so that our recruiting team can review it - they make all final hiring decisions, while AI agent simply helps move you forward faster. The best part? They are available 24/7, so you can connect whenever it's convenient for you.

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.