Packaging Design Engineer

Shippers Supply Inc•Golden Valley, MN

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Packaging Design Engineer will help turn customer packaging challenges into effective, manufacturable solutions, working through all stages: concept/design, prototyping, testing, refinement, production hand-off, ensuring designs meet performance, cost, sustainability, brand, and logistical criteria. This individual will collaborate with customers, vendors, sales, production, and operations to ensure seamless execution. Accuracy and attention to detail are essential in all phases of this role — from design specifications and ERP data entry to test documentation and customer deliverables.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in packaging, manufacturing design engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial design or related field, or equivalent experience.
3-7 years of hands-on experience designing protective packaging, especially with corrugated structures, foam inserts, specialty packaging materials.
Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., ArtiosCAD, SolidWorks for 3D/2D design.
Experience in performance testing (drop, vibration, compression, static/anti-static) and validating packaging under real-world distribution scenarios.
Effective communication skills – able to present designs to internal teams and customers, explain trade-offs, and make recommendations.
Strong project management and ability to lead cross-functional groups.
Strong understanding of material properties: corrugated grades, flute types, foam densities, finishes, etc.
Intermediate skills using Microsoft Office products (Excel, Outlook, Word, etc.).
Ability to perform math calculations (measurements, decimals, fractions, etc.).
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
ERP system familiarity, including creating and maintaining part numbers, bills of materials, and production time standards; ensuring records remain current and accurate as designs evolve.
Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail across all work product, including design specifications, ERP data, test records, cost analyses, and customer-facing documentation. Errors in these areas have direct operational and financial impact.

Responsibilities

Generate creative, protective packaging solutions using corrugated structures (dividers, reinforced exteriors, custom boxes), foam inserts, hybrid materials, and specialty materials for both inside and outside components.
Produce detailed CAD designs, technical drawings, and specifications for custom packaging (interiors & exteriors); create and maintain associated ERP records including part numbers, bills of materials, and production time standards. All records must be established at project initiation and kept current and accurate as designs evolve.
Specify and integrate graphics, labeling, or brand elements where required.
Evaluate designs for manufacturability and cost feasibility prior to prototyping or customer presentation, ensuring proposed solutions can be produced within market-bearing price ranges.
Select materials (corrugated board types, foam varieties, adhesives, coatings, etc.) that balance protection, cost, weight, sustainability, and aesthetics.
Conduct or oversee testing (drop, vibration, compression, environmental, static/anti-static where needed) to validate that designs meet customer/productivity/delivery requirements.
Work with in-house equipment to create prototypes.
Utilize vendor expertise and capacity to support and enhance design prototypes.
Evaluate prototypes, identify failure modes, iterate designs.
Analyze cost drivers in designs (material usage, manufacturing complexity, shipping weight/size).
Propose structure or process improvements to reduce waste, improve strength, reduce cost, or improve sustainability.
Partner with Sales/Customer to understand customer constraints: product fragility, distribution modes, environmental exposure, brand presentation, volume/hurdle requirements.
Coordinate with production to ensure manufacturability, lead times, quality and smooth handoff.
Participate in packaging assessments and customer packaging audits.
Stay up to date on regulatory requirements, industry standards (static/antistatic, clean room, medical packaging, etc.), and sustainable packaging materials/practices.
Incorporate sustainability metrics into design decisions when feasible (recycled content, reusability, right sizing, etc.).
Assist production with first article of inspection and quality assurance where necessary.
Work with Quality leadership to follow ISO 9001:2015 standards and document processes to ensure compliance.
Continually look for ways to improve processes and systems to make them more efficient and effective.
Comply with all company policies and procedures.
Responsible for working safely at all times and providing a safe work environment for all employees.
All other duties as assigned.