Senior Packaging Engineer - Packaging Design/Development
About The Position
The Senior Packaging Engineer will drive the development and optimization of packaging across Mars Snacking Accelerator’s Better-For-You portfolio, supporting brands including KIND, RXBAR, Special K Bars, Nutri-Grain Bars, Kashi, and Pure Organics. Based at the Chicago Wells St. office, the role owns high-impact innovation, rebranding projects, and value leadership initiatives. Early priorities include leading supplier transitions, managing line trials, and driving packaging qualifications for granola and bar portfolios. The position collaborates with internal teams, manufacturing sites, co-manufacturers, and suppliers, and provides technical mentorship to junior engineers.
Requirements
- At least 6 years of hands-on, concept-to-launch packaging experience in consumer goods.
- Proven experience in technical qualification and plant start-ups, including trial plans and qualification runs on manufacturing lines.
- Deep technical expertise in packaging materials and equipment, including the ability to develop packaging specifications from scratch.
- Project management experience developing technical timelines, managing risk assessments, and coordinating supplier deliverables.
- Entrepreneurial test-and-learn mindset, with ability to challenge established approaches, make decisions quickly, and build cross-functional alignment.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a highly related technical field.
- Ability and willingness to travel approximately 30–40% to manufacturing plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers.
Nice To Haves
- Previous experience in food packaging or highly matrixed environments.
Responsibilities
- Direct scoping, prototyping, testing, and validation of innovative packaging materials and formats across the Better-For-You portfolio.
- Plan and execute pilot runs, packaging line trials, and technical qualifications at internal plants, co-packers, and co-manufacturers.
- Develop and manage accurate, detailed technical specifications for packaging components.
- Manage technical relationships with packaging suppliers to source materials, evaluate capabilities, and qualify new partners.
- Build and execute trial plans, risk assessments, and contingency options for innovation and renovation programs.
- Mentor junior engineers and advance packaging solutions and technical ways of working.
- Lead R&D Packaging collaboration with Marketing, Procurement, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply Chain teams.
Benefits
- Industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
- Medical and dental benefits.
- Participation in a 401(k) plan.
- Paid time off.
- Access to Mars University and learning and development support.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
