Process Engineer - Materials Development

Dart Container•Mason, MI

24d•Onsite

About The Position

Dart is expanding its innovation and development capabilities and is seeking a Process Engineer or Senior Process Engineer to drive the future of paper-based packaging, converting technologies, and sustainable materials. This role involves manufacturing support, product development, process optimization, material qualification, and innovation. The engineer will collaborate with manufacturing plants, suppliers, procurement, quality, and product development teams to support paper materials, converting processes, and the development of next-generation products across various packaging platforms. Dart is looking for analytical, curious, and confident engineers who can solve complex technical problems. Experience in the paper industry is not required, and candidates from diverse manufacturing backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Paper Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials science, or a related technical field and three (3) years of related engineering experience (Process Engineer).
Associate’s degree and nine (9) years of related engineering experience (Process Engineer).
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Paper Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials science, or a related technical field (Senior Process Engineer).
Associate’s degree and twelve (12) years of related engineering experience (Senior Process Engineer).
Engineering experience in manufacturing, process engineering, packaging, materials, product development, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, consumer goods, or similar industries.
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of products.
Experience analyzing production equipment, processes and materials and solving issues.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Experience with statistical analysis, DOE, root-cause investigations, or continuous improvement methodologies.
Ability to learn quickly in a highly technical manufacturing environment.
Willingness to relocate to Michigan and travel regularly to manufacturing facilities.
Ability to travel up to 50% to manufacturing plants, supplier locations, trials, technical reviews, and qualification activities.
Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Ability to successfully prioritize, and organize projects, deadlines, and tasks with little supervision in both team and independent environments.
Confidence to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and advocate for data-driven solutions.
Curious, coachable, and eager to learn.
Confident asking questions and challenging assumptions when appropriate.
Comfortable working directly with operators, technicians, and plant leadership.
Strong analytical thinkers who enjoy solving complex technical problems.
Willing to travel to manufacturing facilities and relocate to Michigan.
Effective communicators who can explain technical concepts clearly.
Motivated to become experts in Dart's converting and manufacturing processes.
Senior-level experience supporting paper materials, coated paper, paperboard, fiber-based packaging, or paper converting operations (Senior Process Engineer).
Direct experience with converting paper for cups, lids, plates, or similar formed and converted food packaging applications (Senior Process Engineer).
Demonstrated ability to support manufacturing trials, supplier qualifications, material testing, plant troubleshooting, and cross-functional technical decision-making (Senior Process Engineer).
Strong understanding of how paper material properties affect converting performance and finished product quality (Senior Process Engineer).
Strong communication, ability to influence, documentation, organization, and follow-through skills (Senior Process Engineer).
Ability to work independently in plant environments and provide practical technical recommendations under real production conditions (Senior Process Engineer).

Nice To Haves

Greenbelt or Blackbelt Certification
Proven experience and success in leading engineering efforts for new or modified products from conception through launch.
Progressive experience in product design and development.
Experience with CAD and simulation tools.
Experience with cup stock, plate stock, coated paperboard, poly-coated paper, barrier-coated paper, lid materials, molded or fiber-based packaging, or food-contact paper materials.
Experience supporting supplier transitions, second-source qualifications, material cost-savings projects, or new material commercialization.
Familiarity with paper material testing, coating performance, sealing behavior, converting defects, curl, moisture effects, stiffness, density, caliper, printability, and runnability.
Experience working directly with Procurement, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Sustainability, suppliers, and plant leadership.
Experience developing material specifications, qualification reports, trial plans, technical recommendations, and approval documentation.

Responsibilities

Support manufacturing plants through process qualifications, troubleshooting efforts, second-source validations, and continuous improvement projects.
Participate in production trials, new product development, and process optimization initiatives.
Analyze process and material performance using statistical tools, Minitab, Design of Experiments (DOE), and root-cause analysis techniques.
Assist with supplier qualifications and material evaluations for paperboard, coated paper, cup stock, plate stock, lid materials, and fiber-based packaging materials.
Work directly with operators, technicians, and plant teams to understand manufacturing challenges and implement solutions.
Develop technical documentation, qualification reports, SOPs, trial summaries, and engineering recommendations.
Support the transition of new technologies and equipment into Dart's expanding innovation center in Mason.
Bring new perspectives and ideas from outside the traditional paper industry.
Lead large-scale process improvement, troubleshooting, qualification, and product development projects (Senior Process Engineer).
Serve as a technical leader for paper materials, supplier qualification, manufacturing readiness, and converting performance (Senior Process Engineer).
Lead material evaluations, supplier reviews, production trials, and second-source qualification efforts (Senior Process Engineer).
Drive cross-functional collaboration among Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Sustainability, Product Development, and supplier partners (Senior Process Engineer).
Support complex troubleshooting involving runnability, converting performance, coating behavior, sealing, printability, material variation, and product quality (Senior Process Engineer).
Mentor engineers and influence technical direction across multiple facilities (Senior Process Engineer).
Lead qualification planning, documentation, risk assessments, and implementation activities for new products and material changes (Senior Process Engineer).
Help establish engineering best practices while accelerating innovation and commercialization efforts (Senior Process Engineer).