Principal Packaging Systems Engineer

Leprino Foods Company•Denver, CO

47d•$147,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

Within our Corporate Engineering team located in Denver – Leprino is seeking a Principal Packaging Systems Engineer to lead the design and execution of large, complex high-speed packaging capital projects across our cheese and nutrition manufacturing network. This role carries full accountability for system-level packaging design, technical direction, and execution from concept through commissioning, working directly with plant teams, equipment partners, and general contractors to bring high-speed packaging systems online.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or closely related discipline).
10+ years of experience in food, beverage, or dairy manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated ownership of large packaging capital projects, including responsibility for scope, budget, schedule, and technical outcomes.
Experience integrating full packaging lines — not just individual machines.
Strong understanding of conveying systems, indexing, synchronization, and high-speed line performance.
Comfort operating in 24/7 production facilities.
Willingness to travel up to 70% in support of project execution.
Candidates Please Note: This role is focused on industrial packaging equipment, automation, and manufacturing systems integration. Backgrounds primarily centered on packaging materials, consumer packaging design, or Packaging Science without hands-on capital equipment experience are not aligned to the scope of this position.

Nice To Haves

Experience with tertiary packaging systems such as robotic palletizers, automated case packers, stretch wrapping, labeling, and code dating systems.
Familiarity with sanitary design principles in food manufacturing.
Experience working with major packaging OEMs and integrators.
Background in line OEE optimization, changeover reduction, and throughput improvement.
Experience commissioning new or expanded packaging lines in operating plants.

Responsibilities

Focus on high-speed packaging equipment and automation systems used in industrial food manufacturing environments — including case packing, palletizing, conveying, robotic handling, stretch wrapping, and full-line integration.
Own and deliver large, cross-functional packaging capital projects from early design through startup.
Lead system-level design of tertiary packaging lines, including case packers, palletizers, stretch wrappers, labeling, and integrated conveying systems.
Define equipment specifications, layouts, line balancing strategies, and commissioning plans.
Partner with OEMs and system integrators to configure, modify, and optimize high-speed packaging equipment.
Serve as the technical authority during installation and startup, ensuring packaging systems meet throughput, OEE, food safety, and reliability expectations.
Identify bottlenecks and design solutions that improve material flow and line synchronization.
Mentor engineers and provide informal leadership and stability during project execution.
Contribute to the development and evolution of Leprino’s packaging and construction standards.