What are the responsibilities and job description for the Packaging Engineer position at Sterling Engineering?
Job Title: Packaging Engineer
Location: North Chicago, IL
Hire Type: Open-ended Contract, Onsite
Target Pay Rate: $40.00 - $45.00/hour (W2)
Benefits: PTO, paid holidays, BCBS Medical plans, Dental/Vision plans, 401(k), and ESOP
Must-Have Skills:
- Packaging design & development experience (materials, structures, functionality)
- Packaging testing & validation expertise (performance, shipping, integrity)
- Manufacturing/plant experience (trials, troubleshooting, production support)
Job Summary:
The Packaging Engineer develops and implements packaging solutions for new and existing products, ensuring functionality, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with manufacturing. This role supports pharmaceutical and/or combination product packaging through design, testing, validation, and cross-functional collaboration.
Job Duties:
- Design and develop primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions
- Create and maintain packaging documentation (BOMs, specs, assembly instructions)
- Lead packaging validation and ensure compliance with FDA regulations (21 CFR 201, 210, 211)
- Develop and execute testing protocols (performance, container/closure integrity, shipping)
- Conduct plant trials, analyze results, and make recommendations on packaging viability
- Evaluate new materials and technologies to improve performance, cost, and efficiency
- Collaborate with internal teams and external suppliers to meet project timelines
- Support labeling, artwork review, and packaging design verification
- Troubleshoot packaging issues and support manufacturing operations
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science, Packaging Engineering, or related field
- 2 years of packaging design experience.
- Strong knowledge of packaging materials (corrugate, plastics, cartons, films) and testing methods
- Experience with packaging validation, documentation, and regulatory requirements
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes and packaging equipment (e.g., form-fill-seal)
- Ability to create 2D drawings
- Experience with pharmaceutical or combination product packaging is a plus.
Salary : $40 - $45