Packaging Engineer III

Objectives:

Lead and execute packaging development and sustainability initiatives in support of R&D projects and evolving global packaging requirements. The engineer will drive the design, qualification, and continuous improvement of primary plastic packaging, including rigid plastics, flexible films, and injection-molded formats, along with associated secondary packaging. The candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams and external suppliers to embed sustainable packaging principles, life-cycle thinking, and global regulatory requirements into new and existing product packaging.

Responsibilities:
• Serve as the plastics packaging and sustainability SME on project teams, providing guidance on polymer selection, plastic packaging design and conversion processes, performance testing, and global recyclability and end-
of-life requirements.
• Research, identify, develop, and qualify plastics packaging solutions including lightweighting, mono-material structures, multi-material structures, recycled content, bio-based, and recyclable designs.
• Explore potential new manufacturing processes and technologies; support existing manufacturing processes, quality improvements, and cost reductions including plastics conversion processes.
• Manage activities with external suppliers, material suppliers, and packaging vendors, and recycling/end-of-life partners to identify and qualify new sustainable packaging options.
• Lead technology transfer of new packaging materials and processes.
• Conduct and interpret packaging performance testing and life-cycle assessments (LCA) to evaluate sustainability trade-offs and substantiate environmental claims.
• Monitor evolving global packaging regulations and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes; translate requirements into design changes and compliance roadmaps.
• May serve as engineering lead on projects; may provide daily direction to technical team members assigned to project teams.

Qualifications:

Education:
• BS in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related Engineering/Scientific discipline required.
• MS in Packaging Science, Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related discipline preferred.

Specialized Training & Skills:
• ISO-9000, GMP, and DFSS experience; Six Sigma/DOE methodology a plus.
• Experience with plastics conversion processes such as injection molding, thermoforming, form-fill-seal, etc.
• Strong understanding of polymer structure-property relationships and plastics/materials behavior.
• Working knowledge of sustainable packaging principles, including recyclability design guidelines, life-cycle assessment (LCA) tools, and global packaging sustainability regulations (e.g., EU PPWR, EPR, recycled content
mandates).
• Design software (SolidWorks or AutoCAD); Statistical software (Minitab, JMP, or equivalent).
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent packaging projects, timelines and stakeholders; PMP certification or formal project management training a plus.
• Strong communication, documentation, organization, and presentation skills required.

Experience:
• 7+ years in Plastics/Packaging Engineering, Sustainable Packaging Development, and/or Packaging Process Development.
• Hands-on technical expertise in a development environment required.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments, translating high-level or loosely defined direction into clear, actionable plans and sustainable processes.
• Demonstrated success building structure, defining requirements, and establishing new capabilities where none previously existed.
• Demonstrated experience designing and qualifying sustainable packaging.
• Medical device or FDA-regulated product experience strongly preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical capabilities with experience in DOE and Design for Manufacturing.
• Experience executing packaging sustainability programs and quantifying environmental impact through LCA or comparable methodologies preferred.
• Must be able to develop working relationships with various internal core competencies and work as a team member.

We offer competitive salary & excellent benefits including:
• Medical, Dental, Eye Health, Disability and Life Insurance begins on your hire date
• 401K Plan with company match and ongoing company contribution
• Paid time off - vacation (3 weeks - prorated upon hire), floating holidays and sick time
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with company match
• Employee Incentive Bonus
• Tuition Reimbursement (select degrees)
• Ongoing performance feedback and annual compensation review

This position may be available in the following location(s): US - Rochester, NY (GEHC)

For U.S. locations that require disclosure of compensation, the starting pay for this role is between $95,000 and $115,000. The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors.

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-term incentives. They may also be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, disability and life insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, a tuition reimbursement program (select degrees), company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive sick time, floating holidays and paid vacation.