Engineer - Innovation

ProAmpac•Middletown, OH

About The Position

ProAmpac is seeking an Innovation Engineer – Sustainable Fiber E-Commerce to develop the next generation of sustainable fiber-based packaging solutions. This is a hands-on role focused on innovation and R&D, requiring an engineer who excels at solving complex problems, experimenting with new technologies, collaborating across disciplines, and managing ideas from concept through to customer adoption. The role involves working at the intersection of product innovation, materials, equipment, manufacturing, and customer needs, partnering with various internal teams and customers to drive solutions that support both sustainability and business growth. Experience in packaging, particularly fiber, paper, flexible packaging, or related materials, is preferred. Accomplished product development and innovation engineers from consumer goods and advanced manufacturing backgrounds with the right blend of curiosity, technical depth, and commercialization experience are also encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
10+ years of product engineering, product development, R&D, or innovation experience within consumer goods, packaging, or a related manufacturing environment.
3+ years of experience leading technical engineering teams, projects, or technical workstreams.
Strong experience moving products or technologies from development through testing, manufacturing, and commercialization.
Demonstrated project management skills with the ability to manage timelines, milestones, stakeholders, and competing priorities.
Experience working directly with customers to understand requirements and solve technical challenges.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving capabilities.
Ability to communicate effectively with customers, engineers, commercial teams, and manufacturing leaders.
Creativity, curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to challenge how things have traditionally been done.

Nice To Haves

Packaging experience, particularly within fiber, paper, flexible packaging, or related materials.
Experience within sustainable packaging, fiber-based packaging, or e-commerce packaging.
Experience with materials testing, product qualification, and production trials.
Knowledge of packaging machinery, converting equipment, automation, or equipment modification.
Experience commercializing new products or technologies in a manufacturing environment.
Exposure to paper, films, coatings, adhesives, or other packaging substrates and materials.

Responsibilities

Drive customer-led innovation by engaging directly with customers to understand challenges and anticipate future needs, translating insights into new products and technical solutions.
Partner with Sales, Customer Experience, Product Management, Operations, and Engineering to develop solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and create new revenue opportunities.
Develop and optimize products and equipment across the entire product lifecycle, from ideation and development through testing, optimization, scale-up, and commercialization.
Improve existing product designs and recommend modifications to machinery or production processes based on performance data and customer feedback.
Identify, evaluate, and recommend emerging equipment, technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods.
Work alongside subject matter experts in paper, mills, films, coatings, and other packaging materials.
Organize and lead production trials for new products, materials, equipment modifications, and process improvements.
Partner closely with manufacturing teams to ensure smooth introduction of new products and changes to existing products.
Evaluate finished-product performance and coordinate specialized testing when required.
Investigate product or process failures, identify root causes, and develop practical solutions.
Support alternate-material and supplier evaluations, including cost-benefit analysis and performance implications.
Own projects from concept through completion, developing structured project plans, charters, timelines, and milestones.
Manage multiple innovation initiatives while maintaining accountability for timing, performance, outcomes, and business impact.
Identify risks or project gaps early and communicate clear action plans to stakeholders.
Follow solutions through implementation and customer use, ensuring issues are addressed quickly and learnings are incorporated into future development.
Stay current on emerging technologies, equipment, manufacturing methods, and packaging trends.
Bring forward ideas that can improve product performance, production efficiency, sustainability, revenue, or margin.
Contribute to a collaborative innovation culture that encourages experimentation, learning, and disciplined execution.
Provide technical guidance and subject matter expertise across supported product lines.