Material Handling & Packaging Designer

Nidec • Lexington, TN

29d • Onsite

About The Position

At Nidec, we are a global leader in electric motors, alternators, and rotating equipment. Our manufacturing operations rely on a highly synchronized and efficient global supply chain. We are seeking a hands-on, execution-focused Material Handling & Packaging Designer to optimize the material pipeline for our heavy industrial manufacturing lines. This is a 100% on-site role at our Lexington, TN facility. You will work directly on the production floor and partner closely with our on-site Supply Chain Project Manager to track, execute, and deliver continuous cost-savings and logistics improvement projects. Your technical focus will bridge the gap between our domestic and cross-border suppliers, warehouse logistics, and the production floor—ensuring heavy payloads arrive without damage and are presented efficiently to assembly line operators.

Requirements

• Must be able to work 100% full-time on-site at our Lexington, TN facility. (Remote/Hybrid options are not available).
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in structural packaging design, material handling, or industrial logistics within an automotive assembly, Tier-1 automotive supply, or heavy machinery manufacturing environment.
• High proficiency with 3D CAD modeling software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Artios CAD) for designing kitting layouts, custom heavy-duty skids, and dunnage configurations.
• Direct experience working in a Lean production environment (JIT flows).
• Strong familiarity with ISTA packaging compliance testing (e.g., ISTA 1A, 3A, 6-Amazon) for heavy or palletized industrial loads.
• Demonstrated capability to follow through on logistics project timelines and coordinate effectively across multi-functional teams (Supply Chain, Quality, Production).

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in English and Spanish is highly preferred to effectively support cross-border supplier communication, validation, and logistics.
• Associate's or bachelor’s degree in industrial design, Packaging, Supply Chain Logistics, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent practical field experience).
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

Responsibilities

• Partner directly with the on-site Supply Chain Project Manager to scope, track, and execute packaging and material-handling improvement projects.
• Drive engineering timelines to ensure milestones are met on time and within budget.
• Evaluate, modify, and approve inbound packaging specifications from domestic and international/cross-border suppliers (e.g., Mexico).
• Review industrial testing data (vibration, drop, environmental) to guarantee heavy components—including large castings, precision stampings, rotors, and stators—arrive safely without transit damage.
• Implement specialized packaging standards—such as Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI) for ocean/long-distance freight , anti-static (ESD) protection, and custom edge protection—to keep high-density components rust-free and free from deformation during handling and extended warehouse storage.
• Utilize CAD software to architect custom material-handling layouts, returnable container systems (totes/steel racks), and specialized internal dunnage (thermoformed trays, heavy-duty foam) to kit and sequence parts efficiently from the warehouse to production.
• Optimize how heavy components are presented to assembly line operators.
• Design gravity-fed flow racks and customized kitting carts that maximize operator ergonomics, optimize part orientation, eliminate unboxing waste, and minimize lineside footprint.

What This Job Offers

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