Packaging Engineer - Accessories and Service Parts

Slate Automotive•Carson, CA

About The Position

Slate is seeking a Packaging Engineering Manager to lead a small team of packaging engineers and own packaging strategy and execution for Slate Accessories and Service Parts. Reporting directly to the Head of Accessories Product Management, this role covers packaging from supplier and third-party logistics (3PL) operations through the customer-facing unboxing experience. The manager will establish standards and roadmaps, improve cost, product protection, freight and cube efficiency, and sustainability, and ensure packaging is ready for every launch. The role is based in Carson, California, or Troy, Michigan. The position combines team leadership with hands-on technical work. The manager will oversee packaging requirements and validation across suppliers and 3PLs, review packaging designs and test results, and coordinate teams across Engineering, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, Logistics, Product Management, Brand, and Digital/eCommerce. The role also includes prioritizing work across accessories and service-parts programs, supporting SUV kits, and managing packaging tooling and development budgets. The stated annual base pay range in California is $135,000 to $203,000. Slate offers medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, vacation, and a 401(k). The successful candidate may also be eligible for the company equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to applicable program rules.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
8–12+ years of packaging engineering experience for automotive or consumer products.
At least 3 years of experience leading engineers.
Deep knowledge of packaging materials and standards, including ISTA, ASTM, and labeling requirements.
Hands-on CAD/die line and packaging testing skills sufficient to review and challenge designs.
Experience hiring, coaching, developing, and managing the performance of teams in a fast-moving environment.
Demonstrated results reducing packaging cost, damage rate, and freight/cube, and experience managing a tooling or development budget.
Experience owning supplier-facing packaging guidelines, quality-control criteria, and validation programs across suppliers and 3PLs.
Ability to influence and align Engineering, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Product, and Brand, and bring suppliers and senior leaders along.
Comfort working in a startup environment, building processes and contributing hands-on when needed.
Passion for customer experience and brand-driven packaging that supports Slate’s mission.

Nice To Haves

Experience with dual-use or install-aid packaging.

Responsibilities

Build and lead a small team of packaging engineers, including hiring, coaching, development, performance management, goal setting, and workload balancing.
Own the packaging strategy and roadmap for Accessories and Service Parts, targeting improvements in cost, damage rate, cube and freight efficiency, and sustainability.
Establish packaging standards, specifications, test protocols, and design guidelines for Slate parts, suppliers, and 3PLs.
Develop customer-facing packaging that protects products, communicates the Slate story, and may also serve as an installation guide or fixture where useful.
Define supplier and 3PL packaging requirements; lead packaging validation using ISTA or equivalent methods; and approve supplier designs, die lines, and samples.
Coordinate Engineering, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, Logistics/3PL, Product Management, Brand, and Digital/eCommerce around packaging from concept through launch and sustainment.
Plan capacity and prioritize concurrent accessories and service-parts demand, including SUV kit support.
Manage the packaging tooling and development budget and make trade-offs among cost, protection, customer experience, and speed.
Review and approve packaging designs, CAD/die line files, and test results, and provide hands-on technical support when needed.