Packaging Engineer – Sanford Advanced Manufacturing

Caterpillar•Sanford, NC

21h•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Packaging Engineer for its new advanced manufacturing campus in Sanford, North Carolina. This role will lead packaging engineering solutions to enhance product protection, manufacturing efficiency, supply chain performance, sustainability, and total delivered cost. The engineer will collaborate with various teams, including manufacturing, supply chain, operations, suppliers, and logistics providers, to design and implement effective packaging solutions. The position involves evaluating packaging materials, automation technologies, and transportation methods, while driving continuous improvement initiatives. This role is ideal for an engineer with a background in packaging, industrial, manufacturing, mechanical, or supply chain engineering who enjoys tackling complex technical challenges and influencing decisions across the product lifecycle.

Requirements

Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision. Ensure solutions are designed for current requirements while allowing adaptation to future needs.
Collaborating: Knowledge of collaborative techniques; ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
Packaging: Knowledge of packaging tools, approaches and practices; ability to package products and components safely and attractively.
Experience with sustainable packaging programs, returnable packaging design, and automated packaging technologies.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering, or a related technical discipline
Experience in packaging engineering, manufacturing engineering, logistics engineering, supply chain engineering, or related technical experience
Experience supporting manufacturing, heavy equipment, automotive, industrial products, or large-scale distribution operations preferred
Knowledge and application of packaging solutions that are compatible with automated systems.
Experience in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA)
Exposure to a new startup operation, preferably in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with on-site teams to align current packaging solutions to future packaging needs for a new startup facility.
Design and develop packaging solutions for products, service parts, and manufacturing components.
Lead packaging optimization projects focused on safety, quality, delivery performance, sustainability, and cost reduction.
Partner with internal engineering, logistics, manufacturing, and supply chain teams on packaging strategy and implementation.
Work directly with suppliers to establish packaging requirements and packaging specifications.
Determine optimal packaging methods for domestic and global distribution networks.
Develop and maintain packaging standards, specifications, and engineering documentation.
Research and assess emerging packaging materials, sustainability opportunities, automation technologies, and intelligent packaging solutions.
Integrate automation into design for all packaging solutions to align with AMRs, AGVs, ASRS, and other factors present in an automated environment.
Establish packaging performance metrics and reporting mechanisms.
Support new product introduction (NPI) programs through package design, validation, and launch execution.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve packaging utilization, freight efficiency, warehouse space, and inventory flow.
Ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, and customer requirements.
Lead packaging validation and testing activities, including transit testing and environmental simulation.
Provide input and support on returnable container tracking systems such as RFID to ensure end-to-end visibility throughout the entire chain.