Senior Packaging Engineer

Adept Group offers an award-winning workplace for exceptional packaging industry talent. We work on a range of innovative projects for iconic brand owners. Our technically gifted team collaborates to produce unparalleled results.

We offer a great place to showcase your expertise and build upon your skillset. All while having fun with amazing people from a variety of diverse backgrounds. We’re driven, inspirational and most importantly, human.

We offer a flexible, creative culture focusing on 3 pillars - our environment, our communities, and our health and well-being. Join a team committed to building a sustainable future!

The Opportunity

Adept Group is seeking a Senior Packaging Engineer (1099 Contractor)! This person would own end-to-end packaging development across cereal, snack mix, cookies, and bar products. They would lead hands-on packaging activities including flexible film and pouch development, corrugate and pallet configurations, line trials, and validation work. This role partners closely with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Brand, and suppliers to support new item launches, troubleshoot packaging issues, and maintain packaging specifications and BOMs. This is a highly autonomous, plant-focused role requiring strong technical depth in flexible packaging and the ability to manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced food CPG environment.

This is a 1099 Contractor (Independent Contractor) opportunity for 40 hours per week for 3 months.

Onsite presence is preferred in Lebanon, IN. Open to candidates located within driving distance of Lebanon/Indianapolis, IN, including Chicago, IL, Cincinnati, OH, and Grand Rapids, MI. Frequent travel (approximately 30–50%, or up to three weeks per month).

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the sole packaging engineer supporting all packaging needs for snacks.
• Lead packaging development across multiple product categories: Cereal, Snack Mix, Cookies, and Bars.
• Run hands-on packaging development activities including lab testing, sizing, FAT/SAT, and line trials.
• Conduct pouch material trials, pouch size changes, flexible film evaluations, and development work on corrugate and Costco display pallets.
• Develop and maintain packaging documentation, including BOMs and packaging specifications (currently managed through SharePoint PDFs and an internal database).
• Review and approve dielines and CAD drawings.
• Direct suppliers on technical requirements and manage supplier interactions during testing and onboarding.
• Troubleshoot packaging issues using RCA/Corrective Action.
• Validate packaging systems for distribution, shelf performance, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Support new item development and packaging readiness activities with cross-functional teams.

Typical Day to Day:

• Run packaging trials on flexible films, pouches, corrugate, and pallet configurations.
• Build or update packaging specifications and BOMs in SharePoint and internal databases.
• Conduct lab work, fit tests, physical pack-outs, testing, and trial preparation.
• Spend significant time on-site in Lebanon, IN performing plant support and testing.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, and Brand teams on packaging-related initiatives.
• Participate in supplier troubleshooting and technical communication.
• Manage multiple packaging initiatives with minimal oversight in a fast-paced, lean environment.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science/Engineering or related field.
• 5–7 years of packaging engineering experience, preferably in food CPG.
• Strong technical expertise in flexible films.
• Experience with corrugated, paperboard, and flexible packaging structures used in snacks and dry food.
• Hands-on engineering capability: line trials, lab testing, FAT/SAT, validation work.
• Experience writing packaging specifications and building BOMs.
• Ability to work independently as the sole packaging resource.
• Strong communication skills and ability to partner cross-functionally.
• Capable of working in office, lab, and plant environments.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience supporting corrugate retail pallets (e.g., Costco display pallets).
• Experience working as the only packaging engineer in a lean or fast-growing environment.
• Familiarity with snack or cereal packaging systems.
• Experience with supplier onboarding and technical leadership.

Disclaimer:

This is a 1099 independent contractor position. As such, this role is not eligible for company-sponsored benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, or retirement plans. The contractor is responsible for managing their own tax withholdings, insurance coverage, and other obligations associated with independent contractor status.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.