Associate Packaging Engineer

Talking Rain • Preston, WA

10h • Hybrid

About The Position

As an Associate Packaging Engineer, you will play a crucial role in the research, development and implementation of sustainable packaging solutions for products within the organization. We are passionate about sustainability, creativity, and excellence in everything we do. We are currently seeking a motivated and talented Associate Packaging Engineer to join our dynamic team and contribute to our packaging development and improvement efforts. Here, you’ll drive, leveraging your technical knowledge of packaging material and packaging process, to commercialize products across our co-pack network.

Requirements

• 2+ years of packaging engineering experience, ideally in Consumer-Packaged Goods.
• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• This role is safety-sensitive. This means that you'll be regularly responsible for your own safety and/or the safety of others (e.g., driving on behalf of the company, working in a warehouse or plant environment).
• Ability to read and generate insights from engineering drawings and raw material documentation.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite (e.g., Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Proficiency in using software tools for packaging design and analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to translate technical findings for both engineering and non-technical audiences.
• Effective communication and interpersonal abilities for collaboration with cross-functional teams and external suppliers.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Self-motivated with a continuous-improvement mindset and attention to detail.
• Ability to travel up to 40% occasionally working evenings and weekends as needed for special assignments.
• This role is safety-sensitive. This means that you'll be regularly responsible for your own safety and/or the safety of others (e.g., driving on behalf of the company, working in a warehouse or plant environment).

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with beverage packaging formats and filling/sealing technologies (e.g., canning lines, PET filling, secondary and tertiary packaging) is a plus.
• Passion for sustainability practices and trends in packaging is advantageous.
• Knowledge of relevant regulations and standards in packaging and labeling.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and update packaging specifications for all package formats (cans, PET, cartons, corrugate trays, wraps, multi-packs, etc.), including dimensions, materials, tolerances, and performance requirements.
• Review and approve engineering drawings, material dielines, and specification sheets in alignment with brand, regulatory, and co-manufacturer requirements.
• Support new product development (NPD) and packaging renovation projects by translating design intent into manufacturable specifications.
• Maintain active technical relationships with packaging material suppliers, facilitating specification alignment and problem resolution.
• Serve as the day-to-day technical point of contact for packaging-related inquiries from internal and external parties, including co-manufacturers, providing guidance on specification interpretation and issue resolution.
• Conduct on-site line assessments and trials at co-manufacturer facilities to evaluate packaging runability, identify sources of downtime or defects, and develop improvement plans.
• Contribute to the development and revision of internal standards, SOPs, work instructions, and test methods related to packaging quality.
• Identify and champion cost-reduction and sustainability improvement opportunities within the packaging portfolio without compromising quality or performance.
• Ensure food safety, quality, and SQF practices are always followed, notifying immediate manager of any food safety and/or quality issues.
• Complete other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• Three Weeks of Vacation per calendar year.
• Six weeks of paid parental leave.
• Flexibility Stipend.
• Relocation Available
• Mileage reimbursement for carpooling.
• 401k with Immediate Vesting and matched contributions.
• Fitness Reimbursements.
• Access to on-site gym in Preston complete with a personal trainer 2 days per week.
• Medical/Dental/Vision plans.
• Company car or vehicle stipend included for Field Sales Managers and Market Managers.
• Vehicle reimbursement solutions for Regional Sales Managers and Sales Directors.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree