How to Become a Packaging Engineer

A packaging engineer designs and constructs boxes, cartons, bottles, plastic wraps, and other containers used to protect consumer goods.

Packaging engineers work in many different settings, including research and development companies, manufacturing plants, and private consulting firms.

A research and development packaging engineer usually works in a specialized laboratory setting to conduct experiments on different types of materials.

The packaging engineer then works with a team of other scientists to develop prototypes and put them through a series of tests to determine their efficacy.

Many packaging engineers are concerned with the design of attractive, effective containers and efficient production techniques.

The way to inform design and engineering has improved, but creates new challenges for traditional science-based packaging engineers.

Demonstrate product capability through building prototypes, assessing equipment manufacturability, testing and validation of the developed design for customer approval.

Excellent communication skills and ability to educate commercial team and customers (as needed) on current packaging offerings and best practice is required.

The successful candidate can expect to visit customers when needed with members of the Business/Commercial Team to design custom solutions based on unique customer workflows.

Earn an appropriate bachelor’s degree.

In this role, you will drive towards optimal conditions (cost, environmental, quality, delivery, innovation, VAVE) for packaging design, innovation and efficiency by identifying areas with poor packaging design, low trailer cube utilization, returnable packaging solution, distribution center processes and packaging material standardization and inbound/outbound product damage elimination.

Support the development of distribution and plant packaging standards assuring all packaging passes ISTA requirements.

Minimum of 5 years professional experience in Packaging Engineer, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Engineering, and/or Operations.

4-6 years packaging engineering experience across multiple manufacturing product lines.

At least 3 years experience in Far Back End of Line (FBEOL) / 3d Integration / chip packaging.

Industrial engineers apply their skills to many different situations, from manufacturing to healthcare systems to business administration.

Licensure is not required for entry-level positions as an industrial engineer.

Beginning industrial engineers usually work under the supervision of experienced engineers.

As beginning engineers gain knowledge and experience, they move on to more difficult projects with greater independence to develop designs, solve problems, and make decisions.

While it’s crucial that packaging engineers be knowledgeable in technical subjects like chemistry, physics, materials science and engineering, the best candidates are ones who also have soft skills.