Senior Packaging Engineer

Senior Packaging Engineer

The Senior Packaging Engineer serves as the organizations senior technical contributor for the design, development, testing, and implementation of innovative, compliant, and cost-effective packaging solutions that are integral to the organization’s Product Development processes. This role provides hands on technical leadership across new product launches, packaging optimization, sustainability and innovation initiatives, and supplier partnerships. The Senior Packaging Engineer establishes best practices, standards, and long-term strategies while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating cross-functionally to deliver creative, high-quality, functional packaging solutions across global markets.

Warehouse in Somerset, NJ - Full time onsite

What You’ll Be Responsible For:

• Serve as a senior technical authority for packaging design, materials, processes, and performance across multiple product categories and distribution channels.
• Lead and oversee the complete packaging development lifecycle, with accountability for execution and performance, including concept development, design execution, prototyping, validation testing, commercialization, and post-launch optimization.
• Troubleshoot new and existing packaging problems involving designs, materials and processes and provide creative, efficient, timely, and cost-effective solutions.
• Analyze engineering drawings and specifications of product to determine physical characteristics of items, special handling, environmental and safety requirements, sustainability, regulatory compliance, and types of materials required for packaging.
• Utilize advanced CAD, simulation, and design tools to develop packaging solutions and guide design intent.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve packaging standards, specifications, and guidelines, including supplier qualification and evaluation criteria.
• Lead supplier selection, development, and performance reviews; build long term technical partnerships with domestic and global packaging vendors.
• Review and approve production samples, pilot runs, and first articles; provide expert feedback to vendors, manufacturing partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Development, Project Management, Creative, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and global supplier network.
• Define and execute packaging test plans using industry-standard methods (ISTA, ASTM, ISO, etc.) to ensure packaging performance meets or exceeds shipping, handling, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead packaging testing and experiments, line trials, and equipment evaluations to validate designs and improve quality, efficiency and scalability.
• Provide expertise in packaging equipment and machinery capabilities; actively participate in equipment selection, validation, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure packaging designs are optimized for manufacturability.
• Author and approve packaging specifications, testing protocols, raw material documentation, and all other related SOPs for new and existing products.
• Ensure packaging designs comply with GMPs, FDA and global regulatory requirements, quality systems, safety standards, and sustainability initiatives.
• Identify and implement cost saving initiatives related to packaging materials, labor, efficiency, transportation, and storage.
• Work closely with Engineering to optimize packaging supply base for cost, lead time, quality, regionalization, standardization, supply assurance, and compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal requirements.
• Personally manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, while mentoring and providing technical guidance to junior packaging engineers to ensure all department timelines, budgets, and performance metrics are met.

What You’ll Need to Have:

• A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or packaging engineering is required. Advanced degree and/or professional certification (e.g., CPP) strongly preferred.
• 12 years of progressive experience in industrial or consumer packaging - cosmetic, pharmaceutical, personal care, devices, or regulated packaging environments.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of packaging design validation standards (ISO, ASTM, etc.), drafting and specification standards is essential.
• Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD and packaging design tools; experience with rapid prototyping and design iteration.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills; ability to influence internal and external stakeholders. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-directed with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Must have demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Proven ability to lead complex packaging programs and solutions from concept through commercialization across domestic and international markets.
• Experience working in FDA-regulated and GMP environments with strong understanding of quality systems and compliance requirements.
• Experience owning specification data systems including build, optimization, and daily use management.
• Experience driving cost optimization, sustainability initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Computer proficiency with standard office and collaboration tools (Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite, etc.).
• Bilingual Spanish/English is a plus.

What You’ll Love About Us:

• Competitive base compensation
• Bonus program
• Paid Time Off
• 401k with Company Match
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Commuter Benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts, as well as Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Complimentary Scentbird Membership
• A fun, creative and energetic work environment

About Scentbird

Scentbird inspires fragrance lovers to go beyond the ordinary and sample scents that evoke passion, confidence, and the unknown. Our mission is to revolutionize the way we perfume by bringing the ultimate fragrance playground right to your fingertips and offering a digital subscription service that lets members choose from over 500 designer perfumes each month.

About the Brands:

• Scentbird: The easiest way for fragrance lovers to discover, try, and buy their favorite scented products without a commitment
• Deck of Scarlet: Deck of Scarlet is on a mission to break the clean category, redefining what clean fragrances should smell like. Composed entirely of vegan, cruelty-free ingredients, our fragrances bridge the gap between the clean and luxury categories, using the highest eau de parfum concentrations housed in sculptural, eye-catching bottles. You shouldn’t have to choose between being luxe and refined, or clean and vegan—now, you don’t have to.
• Confessions Of A Rebel: We were born in 2018, holding fast to the idea that the fragrance industry was in dire need of a change. When we looked around, all we saw was a sea of sameness: outdated archetypes of femininity and masculinity paired with unrelatable images of luxury that we had no say in. In truth, we are complex in ways that cannot be contained in the traditional heteronormative stereotypes, existing beyond the binary with raw, unfiltered voices that deserve to be heard.
• Goodhabit: Enriched with a blend of essential oils, Goodhabit’s clean, vegan, cruelty-free fragrances act as bottled intentions you set free with each mist. Our scents are designed to help you align with the good habits you’re building, while working to enhance and boost your mood. Inhale, exhale, and let the good energy flow through you.
• Sanctuary: Created for those who care about the fate of our planets, Sanctuary offers fragrance for a better future. Our clean, community-driven fragrances are inspired by endangered species and their habitats, each aimed at raising money and awareness for the preservation of their namesake.
• Drift: Drift began as an alternative to all of the tacky air care products on the market. Our products are designed to blend in, with amazing scents that stand out. We take pride in our fragrances, keeping them free from the traditional chemicals used in the fragrance industry. We are always phthalate and paraben free. We never skimp on quality of our scents or the products that deliver them. Our design ethos is simple but effective. We love our community, those who won’t settle for ordinary, and we want to deliver a best in class experience.

Scentbird is committed to bringing individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives into the Nest. We strive to uphold an inclusive environment where individuals of all different backgrounds, ages, colors, ethnicities, gender, or gender identities, genetics, physical or mental abilities, protected veteran status, race, religious or sexual orientation, thrive. We respect the laws enforced by the EEOC and are dedicated internally to going above and beyond in fostering diversity. Come as you are - we’re excited to meet you.