Packaging Scientist

he Packaging Scientist provides technical contributions to material technology in the development of converting barrier coated paperboard materials into various shapes such as cups, trays, containers, tubes, pouches and other formats for food service and other commercial applications. The ideal candidate will have strong materials background and hands-on industrial experience with paper converting equipment, tooling and processes including thermoforming and molding or shaping techniques. Job Duties/Responsibilities: Apply engineering science and technology in forming of various shaped articles from bench to manufacturing scale. Design, install and operate new paper machines to create new products. Design and lead production of innovative packaging prototypes utilizing lab and pilot plant thermoforming or molding or tooling systems. Plan and perform package printing and converting trials for folding carton, corrugated packaging, tray, cup, tube, and other formats in the commissioning and qualification phases. Independently, lead package filling and packing trials and evaluations in the collection of performance and operational data at customer plants. Interface with (internal/external) Project Managers/Leaders in the development and transformation of package forms and systems to run new packages at customers'' facilities. Actively engage with customers to deliver necessary results. Set up and conduct trials on pilot packaging equipment, independently without direct supervision. Manage and perform wide range of testing and analysis on prototype packages. This includes barrier performance, package strength and stability characteristics, package and product compatibility, supply and distribution performance, and shelf-life performance. Coordinate and work with outside vendors and suppliers in the evaluation and recommendation of external materials and components for new packages. Ability to work on a cross-functional team charged with developing and recommending solutions to packaging problems or needs. Use design of experiment and statistical methods to evaluate and predict the performance of packaging. Apply the statistical and quality methodologies including SPC, SQC, FEMA, Root Cause Analysis, Repeatability & Reliability, and Design of Experiments. Knowledge of computer aided 3D tooling designs and engineering drawings. Knowledge of food contact and regulatory compliance.

Created: 2026-04-04