Senior Packaging Engineer

At Combe, personal care is the core of our mission. We operate with the ingenuity & agility of a start-up, guided by our experience as a time-tested, privately held CPG. Founded by innovators Ivan & Mary Elizabeth Combe in 1949, our dedication to delivering innovative brands that address unmet consumer needs remains unwavering.

With a successful track record of category & brand development, including groundbreaking brands like Clearasil®, Odor-Eaters®, Just For Men®, and Vagisil®, we're constantly on the lookout for the next personal “issue” to solve. We’re the majority investors in Virtue Labs® biotech haircare and the new home of Astroglide® personal lubricants. We compete to win in markets worldwide.

We like to say we bring the “&” to work every day – deeply rooted & always exploring, three-generations-savvy & next-generation-bold. We believe diversity & belonging are core to our business success, as we bring empathy & expertise to personal care. We are one of the few CPG companies that is a fully women‑owned business and a family‑owned company for over 75 years.

Join our unique CPG team, where the most-trusted brands meet exploration & innovation, and embark on an exciting journey to reshape the future of personal care. Together, we'll create products that make a meaningful difference in people's lives each day.

Under the direction of the Director of Packaging Development, the Senior Packaging Engineer is responsible for developing packaging solutions across Combe’s Hair Color and Intimate Health portfolios. This role supports innovation, cost‑savings initiatives, and base business continuity projects while collaborating closely with cross‑functional partners, including R&D, Purchasing, Planning, Manufacturing, and external suppliers. We are looking for a self‑motivated engineer who is eager to grow—someone who enjoys owning projects, expanding technical expertise, and increasing cross‑functional impact over time.

Project Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Lead assigned packaging development projects to meet business objectives and ship‑to‑trade timelines.
• Integrate packaging workplans into overall project schedules and align activities with department and business goals.
• Represent Packaging on cross‑functional teams and communicate technical issues, risks, and recommendations clearly.
• Build strong working relationships with Brand, Product Development, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, suppliers, and global partners.

Packaging Design, Engineering & Development

• Design and develop technical and complex packaging solutions with minimal supervision.
• Identify opportunities and engineer packaging components that meet consumer needs, functional requirements, cost targets, and manufacturing constraints.
• Provide technical input throughout the package design process to ensure manufacturability and desired aesthetics.
• Execute new package designs from engineering drawings through prototypes and production tooling.
• Review and approve supplier drawings to ensure component functionality and performance.

Testing, Qualification & Specifications

• Conduct package testing in support of development projects and coordinate external testing laboratories as needed.
• Develop, issue, and maintain package test protocols, methods, and documentation.
• Prepare and issue Packaging Material Specifications; review and approve Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Develop pallet patterns for new products and package redesigns.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal procedures.

Supplier, Manufacturing & Operational Support

• Partner with suppliers and Manufacturing to develop accurate, timely functional specifications.
• Support internal and external manufacturing sites during development and commercialization.
• Troubleshoot packaging issues and support continuous improvement efforts.

Documentation, Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Provide clear project updates and status reports to stakeholders.
• Analyze and present data using consumer insights and research tools.
• Manage Intellectual Property requirements for assigned projects.
• Stay current on packaging trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.

Team Support & Travel

• Provide guidance and technical support to interns, technicians, and consultants as needed.
• Foster collaboration and shared learning across teams.
• Travel approximately 10–20% (domestic and international) to manufacturing and supplier locations.

What We’re Looking For

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5–8 years of packaging development experience, preferably within consumer products.
• Experience working with packaging suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Familiarity with standard testing methods and requirements (e.g., ASTM, GMPs, OTC packaging).

Technical Knowledge

• Knowledge of packaging components and materials including paperboard, plastics, injection and blow molding, films, laminations, aerosols, pumps, closures, bottles, and tubes.
• Experience developing specifications, testing protocols, and qualification documentation.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple initiatives.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills with both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Strong organizational, problem‑solving, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
• Ability to build relationships quickly and demonstrate a strong sense of ownership and urgency.

Why Join Us

At Combe, we offer more than a competitive salary. We support our employees with benefits designed to help them thrive, including:

• Hybrid work environment (Tuesdays & Wednesdays in office)
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health benefits
• 401(k) with company match and Profit Sharing
• Health and wellness programs, including gym reimbursement
• Partial lunch subsidies for office‑based employees
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities
• Compensation DOE: $95K - $115K

Combe is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations and an accessible candidate experience.