Packaging Engineer | Portage, MI

Salary Range: $72,000 - $111,000 depending on experience

Are you a detail-oriented professional with a passion for excelling in packaging engineer? The Pivot Group Network, a West Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career advancement. We are collaborating with leading companies in Portage seeking experienced Packaging Engineers.

We are building our network of talent in this field across West Michigan and the broader manufacturing region Pivot Group Network serves. Our partner companies may or may not have an immediate opening for this exact role today, but we actively look for skilled professionals in the regions where they operate. If there is alignment now or in the near future, we reach out.

The Opportunity

We partner with manufacturers across Portage seeking Packaging Engineers who want more than a lateral move. These companies hire intentionally, and we connect them with professionals ready for roles that fit.

Key Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and tests packaging for new and existing products.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure packaging meets product, manufacturing, and customer requirements.
• Selects appropriate packaging materials and equipment, considering cost, quality, and sustainability.
• Conducts package performance testing, including drop, vibration, and environmental testing.
• Develops and maintains packaging specifications, bills of material, and other technical documentation.
• Identifies and implements cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives related to packaging.
• Troubleshoots packaging-related issues on the production line and in the field.
• Ensures compliance with relevant industry standards and regulations for packaging.

Recommended Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in packaging development and engineering within a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) for packaging design and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience with various packaging materials (e.g., plastics, paperboard, corrugated, films) and their manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of packaging machinery, automation, and line integration.
• Familiarity with packaging testing methodologies and relevant industry standards (e.g., ISTA, ASTM).

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks or other CAD software for packaging design.
• Knowledge of sustainable packaging materials and practices.
• Familiarity with Six Sigma or other process improvement methodologies.
• Project management experience, particularly in cross-functional teams.
• Understanding of e-commerce packaging requirements and challenges.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Packaging Engineer, Packaging Development Engineer, Packaging Specialist, Packaging Technologist, Senior Packaging Engineer, Principal Packaging Engineer, Packaging R&D Engineer, Packaging Innovation Engineer, Packaging Design Engineer, Packaging Materials Engineer

Why The Pivot Group Network

The Pivot Group Network was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory. Learn more at https://www.thepivotgroup.org.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out at https://www.thepivotgroup.org. The Pivot Group Network offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.