Packaging Engineer

Ford • Allen Park, MI

11d • $72,480 - $162,120 • Onsite

About The Position

In this position, Packaging Engineering is seeking a highly motivated engineer to support Vehicle Operations Programs across North America. This role will serve as the subject matter expert for returnable packaging solutions, with a primary focus on sheet metal stampings and assemblies, driving packaging performance, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives. The engineer will collaborate closely with Ford Purchasing to manage the full procurement lifecycle, including supplier sourcing, quotation review, bid analysis, and purchase order placement with packaging fabricators and manufacturers. The position will also be responsible for evaluating supplier quality to ensure compliance with established packaging, quality, and program requirements. The engineer will coordinate and execute transportation validation testing in partnership with test engineers, defining test protocols, acceptance criteria, and pass/fail requirements while ensuring comprehensive documentation of results. When issues are identified during testing and validation activities, the engineer will develop and implement corrective action plans to drive resolution and improve packaging performance. A key aspect of the role will be leading continuous improvement initiatives for returnable container systems. This includes increasing pack density to optimize freight utilization, warehouse efficiency, and labor costs; reducing container and tooling costs through design optimization, standardization, and the adoption of emerging technologies; and enhancing part protection, functionality, durability, and overall packaging performance throughout the supply chain. The engineer will also support campaign and field activities related to container quality concerns, repair requirements, and performance issues. In addition, the position will play a critical role in advancing Packaging Engineering by researching, evaluating, and implementing innovative technologies, materials, processes, and best practices that improve operational efficiency and packaging effectiveness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate across cross-functional teams and present technical information to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required, approximately 25%-30%, typically within the United States, Canada, and Mexico, for trips ranging from one to three days in duration.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Teamcenter Engineering and product data management systems.
• Working knowledge of CATIA V5.
• Understanding of fabrication processes and design considerations for steel and aluminum racking systems.
• Experience developing and implementing packaging solutions that interface with automated manufacturing and material handling systems.
• Knowledge of thermoformed (vacuum-formed) and injection-molded dunnage design and application.
• Experience with expendable packaging solutions, including corrugated packaging, wood packaging, and expendable steel racking.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full procurement lifecycle, including supplier sourcing, quotation review, bid analysis, and purchase order placement with packaging fabricators and manufacturers.
• Evaluate supplier quality to ensure compliance with established packaging, quality, and program requirements.
• Coordinate and execute transportation validation testing in partnership with test engineers, defining test protocols, acceptance criteria, and pass/fail requirements.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans to drive resolution and improve packaging performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives for returnable container systems.
• Increase pack density to optimize freight utilization, warehouse efficiency, and labor costs.
• Reduce container and tooling costs through design optimization, standardization, and the adoption of emerging technologies.
• Enhance part protection, functionality, durability, and overall packaging performance throughout the supply chain.
• Support campaign and field activities related to container quality concerns, repair requirements, and performance issues.
• Research, evaluate, and implement innovative technologies, materials, processes, and best practices that improve operational efficiency and packaging effectiveness.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level