Senior Packaging Engineer

Adept Group•Ontario, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Adept Group offers an award-winning workplace for exceptional packaging industry talent. We work on a range of innovative projects for iconic brand owners. Our technically gifted team collaborates to produce unparalleled results. We offer a great place to showcase your expertise and build upon your skillset. All while having fun with amazing people from a variety of diverse backgrounds. We’re driven, inspirational and most importantly, human. We offer a flexible, creative culture focusing on 3 pillars - our environment, our communities, and our health and well-being. Join a team committed to building a sustainable future! The Opportunity Adept Group is seeking a Packaging Engineer (1099 Contractor) in the Ontario, CA area! This candidate would have experience with end-to-end packaging development and optimization across a portfolio of food products, with a strong focus on retail readiness, sustainability, and operational execution. You’ll lead packaging initiatives across multiple formats, driving material transitions, cost savings, and design improvements, while ensuring solutions are scalable in a production environment. The role also supports automation and equipment initiatives, including line improvements and packaging compatibility. This is a hands-on, execution-focused position where you’ll run trials, validate packaging performance, and enhance retail display quality, owning projects from concept through implementation. This is a 1099 Contractor (Independent Contractor) opportunity for 40-hours per week for 12 months, with the possibility of extension. This is a hybrid position that would require 2-3 days onsite with occasional domestic travel.

Requirements

5+ years of packaging engineering experience with strong foundational knowledge of packaging materials, formats, and processes
Experience across multiple packaging formats (flexible, rigid, corrugated)
Background in food & beverage packaging, particularly prepared or refrigerated foods
Proven ability to lead packaging development from concept through commercialization
Experience working cross-functionally with suppliers, R&D, marketing, and operations
Strong understanding of retail packaging requirements, including display and shelf readiness
Ability to operate independently as the primary packaging expert in a plant environment

Nice To Haves

Sustainability experience (compostable, biodegradable, paper-based materials)
Experience with packaging automation / equipment
Experience working with large retail customers
Experience improving retail display and packaging aesthetics

Responsibilities

Responsible for end-to-end packaging development, optimization, and implementation across a food product portfolio, with a strong focus on retail readiness and operational execution.
Leading packaging development initiatives for multiple food product formats
Driving innovation aligned with large retail customer requirements, especially sustainability-focused packaging transitions
Replacing existing materials (e.g., plastic trays) with paper-based, compostable, or recyclable alternatives
Identifying and executing cost-saving opportunities through material changes, design optimization, and efficiency improvements
Supporting automation and CAPEX initiatives, including packaging equipment selection and line improvements
Conducting validation, test runs, and plant trials to ensure packaging performance and manufacturability
Improving retail display and shelf presentation (visual quality, structure, durability)
Supporting packaging across multiple formats including: Flexible packaging (VFFS bags) Trays and sleeves Rigid containers Corrugated cases and display packaging
This role is both strategic and highly execution-focused, requiring ownership from concept through implementation.