What are the responsibilities and job description for the Packaging Engineer position at Sterling Engineering?
About the Company
Sterling Engineering is partnering with a leading global automotive manufacturer to hire a Packaging Engineer. This role is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing packaging solutions for automotive components, automation cells, and service parts across North and South America.
About the Role
This role is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing packaging solutions for automotive components, automation cells, and service parts across North and South America.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and test expendable and returnable packaging solutions, including distribution testing.
- Create packaging designs for racks, totes, dunnage, corrugated materials, and custom containers using 3D CAD software.
- Develop innovative packaging solutions that improve product protection, ergonomics, pack density, and transportation efficiency.
- Coordinate packaging projects with engineering, manufacturing, quality, logistics, finance, purchasing, and external suppliers.
- Validate packaging designs to meet DOT and HazMat requirements where applicable.
- Lead packaging trials, sample builds, transport testing, and line-side validation activities.
- Own customer packaging documentation and support PPAP submissions through customer packaging portals.
- Standardize packaging materials and processes while maintaining packaging databases and specifications.
- Analyze packaging-related damage and implement corrective actions to improve quality and reduce costs.
- Support supplier packaging development, qualification, and ongoing performance.
- Develop packaging solutions compatible with automation and robotic handling systems.
- Maintain engineering drawings, specifications, revision control, and packaging documentation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering strongly preferred; Mechanical or Industrial Engineering degrees will also be considered.
- 3–5 years of packaging engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience designing returnable and expendable packaging systems.
- Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or NX.
- Experience with packaging materials including corrugated, plastics, foams, steel racks, and custom dunnage.
- Knowledge of packaging validation and transportation testing standards including ISTA and ASTM.
- Experience collaborating with suppliers and cross-functional manufacturing teams.
- Strong project management, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Preferred Skills
- Automotive manufacturing experience.
- Experience with ArtiosCAD, TOPS, or Cape Pack software.
- Knowledge of DFMEA, PFMEA, DOE, and validation methodologies.
- Experience designing packaging for robotic or automated manufacturing environments.
- Familiarity with DOT, HazMat, and regulatory packaging requirements.
- Experience managing returnable packaging programs and supplier packaging initiatives.
Salary : $100,000 - $115,000