Qualifications:- Bachelor's Degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
- 5-10 years of industrial/protective packaging engineering experience, including electronics, IT hardware, or heavy/high-value equipment.
- Experience working directly with OEMs (e.g., Cisco, Dell, or similar) on packaging specifications and issue resolution, and direct experience with returnable/reusable packaging programs, preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:- Working knowledge of ISTA test series (particularly ISTA-3E) and/or ASTM D4169 distribution testing, and how to select the right test for the shipping environment.
- Familiarity with packaging materials and construction methods: PE foam, corrugate, plywood/cleated-frame crates, strapping and load-securement systems.
- Experience with simulation or finite element analysis (FEA) tools for packaging validation preferred.
- Understanding of DOT regulations and requirements for shipping, and general familiarity with international shipping/customs packaging requirements.
- Comfortable building vendor scorecards, SOW/SLA documentation, and capital investment justifications; CAD proficiency for packaging/crate design a plus.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
- Proficient computer skills including MS Excel and document-control/version-control systems, leaning into AI capabilities
Physical Demands- Sitting: Occasionally
- Standing: Frequently
- Walking: Frequently
- Stooping, kneeling, crouching: Occasionally
- Reaching 30" to 72": Occasionally
- Eye/hand coordination: Frequently
- Lifting (up to 50lbs): Occasionally
- Lifting Overhead: Rarely
- Carrying: Occasionally
- Twisting/Turning: Occasionally
- Fine Motor Coordination: Frequently
- Gripping/Grasping: Occasionally
- Climb (more than 2 steps): Rarely
Working Environment- Work near moving machinery: Occasional
- Fumes or airborne particles: Rarely
- Toxic or caustic chemicals: Rarely
- Risk of electrical shock: Rarely
- Extremes: heat (non-weather): Occasional
Travel Requirements:- Up to 25% (domestic and international).
Compensation/ Benefits:Certain states and localities require employers to post a reasonable estimate of salary range. A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range for this position is $92,000 - 120,000. Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors, including shift, location, experience, skill set, performance, licensure and certification, and business needs. The range for this position in other geographic locations may differ.
The well-being of WWT employees is essential. So, when it comes to our benefits package, WWT has one of the best. We offer the following benefits to all full-time employees:
- Health and Wellbeing: Health, Dental, and Vision Care, Onsite Health Centers, Employee Assistance Program, Wellness program
- Financial Benefits: Competitive pay, Profit Sharing, 401k Plan with Company Matching, Life and Disability Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Time Off: PTO & Holidays, Parental Leave, Sick Leave, Military Leave, Bereavement
- Additional Perks: Nursing Mothers Benefits, Voluntary Legal, Pet Insurance, Employee Discount Program
Job Overview: The Packaging Engineer owns packaging performance end to end: supplier inbound packaging standards, in-production packaging of IT hardware and custom-built network and AI racks, and outbound shipping, crating, specialized packaging and handling. This role converts packaging from an ad hoc, vendor-led activity into an engineered, standardized, and measurable program across WWT's Integration Centers (NAIC, AIC, EIC) and global sites. The position reports to Global Operations leadership under Quality, partnering closely with the Strategic Initiatives Team, Procurement, Logistics, and EHS.
This role will need to be onsite in Edwardsville, IL.
Key Responsibilities: - Define and enforce inbound packaging requirements for OEM and supplier shipments to reduce damage, injury risk, and rework at receiving.
- Partner with OEMs on packaging design changes where inbound containers create manual-handling risk; where OEMs will not modify design, engineer WWT-side mitigations such as lifting or handling equipment.
- Own root-cause investigation and CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) closure for inbound packaging failures and related safety incidents.
- Maintain and evolve the WWT packaging standards along with construction specifications (applicable to crates and case packaging).
- Lead engineering studies, including simulation and finite element analysis (FEA), to validate new packaging designs without requiring physical destructive testing for every iteration.
- Conduct weight, dimensional, and center-of-gravity assessments for new and increasingly dense platforms, including custom AI racks, and translate results into packaging and material-handling specifications.
- Specify and help procure material-handling solutions that reduce product and people safety concerns.
- Own corrugate packaging design and standardization for platforms packaged in corrugate rather than crated, improving material usage and assembly speed.
- Ensure packaging security and quality controls for customer delivery - ensuring.
- Set outbound packaging and load-securement standards that reflect real transportation and handling conditions across parcel, LTL/FTL freight, and international modes.
- Partner with Logistics and Transportation on a crate return/reuse program, tracking external inventory and reporting associated cost savings.
- Support international shipping and customs-driven packaging requirements for cross-border and multi-site delivery (e.g., Amsterdam, Singapore).
- Manage the Approved Vendor List (AVL) and scorecards for crating/packaging suppliers, including pricing reviews, capability assessments, and onboarding.
- Own SOW/SLA templates and procurement governance for packaging materials and services, in partnership with Procurement.
- Maintain version-controlled packaging specifications and documentation so the same engineered product ships globally, with changes gated through Engineering and Leadership approval.
- Build and present capital investment justifications for packaging equipment and process improvements, including cost/benefit and ROI.
- Drive continuous improvement in packaging materials, evaluating more sustainable alternatives without compromising performance to ISTA-3E or equivalent standards.
- Partner with EHS and Operations to eliminate manual-handling conditions that contribute to injuries through packaging redesign and engineered handling equipment.
- Promote WWT safety guidelines and drive teams to maintain a clean and organized (5S) packaging and crating operation.
