Sr. Packaging Engineer

Talking Rain•Preston, WA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Our efficient, committed Supply Chain team builds partnerships to get the right product to the right place at the right time. Logistics? Ready to pivot. As a Packaging Engineer, you will play a crucial role in the research, development and implementation of sustainable packaging solutions for products within the organization. We are passionate about sustainability, creativity, and excellence in everything we do. We are currently seeking a motivated and talented Packaging Engineer to join our dynamic team and contribute to our packaging development and improvement efforts. Here, you’ll drive, leveraging your technical knowledge of packaging material and packaging process, to commercialize products across our co-pack network.

Requirements

8+ years of packaging engineering experience in CPG, beverage, food, or a closely related manufacturing environment; beverage packaging experience strongly preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or equivalent experience.
Hands-on experience with rigid packaging systems, including PET bottles, preforms, closures, blow molding, resin selection, and related manufacturing processes.
Strong technical understanding of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging formats, including PET, rPET , cans, labels, shrink sleeves, cartons, corrugate, trays, wraps, and multi-packs.
Proven ability to lead packaging development, qualification, testing, and commercialization from concept through launch, including lab testing, plant trials, line validation, and documentation.
Ability to read, interpret, and provide technical feedback on engineering drawings, dielines , specifications, material documentation, and supplier technical data.
Experience creating, maintaining, and improving packaging specifications, standards, SOPs, test methods, and qualification protocols.
Strong supplier and co-manufacturer partnership skills, with the ability to troubleshoot packaging performance, manufacturing variability, quality issues, and material/process risks.
Demonstrated ability to balance performance, cost, sustainability, manufacturability, regulatory requirements, and consumer experience when evaluating packaging solutions.
Clear communicator who can translate technical findings into practical recommendations for Engineering, Quality, Procurement, R&D, Brand, Supply Chain, and leadership partners.
Strong project leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving, hands-on environment.
Ability to travel up to 40%, with occasional evening or weekend work as needed for trials, launches, or special assignments.
This role is safety-sensitive. This means that you'll be regularly responsible for your own safety and/or the safety of others (e.g., driving on behalf of the company, working in a warehouse or plant environment).

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end development and commercialization of packaging systems, including bottles, preforms, closures, labels, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging, cans, cartons, corrugate, trays, wraps, and multi-packs.
Apply technical expertise in PET, rPET , blow molding, tooling, resin selection, and related packaging processes to support performance, sustainability, regulatory, and manufacturing requirements.
Support implementation, troubleshooting, and optimization of blow molding and rigid packaging systems, including work tied to the Preston location and co-pack network.
Lead lab testing, pilot trials, plant trials, line validation, and qualification protocols to confirm packaging performance, manufacturability, shelf life, carbonation retention, durability, and consumer experience.
Design and execute experiments to evaluate new package designs, alternative materials, process improvements, and substrate qualifications across packaging formats.
Create, maintain, and improve packaging specifications, standards, SOPs, test methods, and qualification processes, including dimensions, materials, tolerances, and performance requirements.
Review and approve engineering drawings, dielines , material documentation, and specification sheets in alignment with brand, regulatory, food safety, quality, and co-manufacturer requirements.
Partner with suppliers, co-manufacturers, R&D, Procurement, Quality, Engineering, and other Supply Chain teams to align technical strategy, resolve issues, and support successful execution.
Identify and mitigate technical risks related to packaging performance, material behavior, manufacturing variability, quality defects, cost, and scalability.
Drive continuous improvement and innovation in packaging formats, materials, manufacturing processes, sustainability, cost efficiency, and overall packaging performance.
Follow all food safety, quality, and SQF practices, notifying the appropriate leader of any food safety and/or quality concerns.
Complete other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

Three Weeks of Vacation per calendar year.
Six weeks of paid parental leave.
Flexibility Stipend.
Relocation Available
Mileage reimbursement for carpooling.
401k with Immediate Vesting and matched contributions.
Fitness Reimbursements.
Access to on-site gym in Preston complete with a personal trainer 2 days per week.
Medical/Dental/Vision insurance.
Company car or vehicle stipend included for Field Sales Managers and Market Managers.
Vehicle reimbursement solutions for Regional Sales Managers and Sales Directors.