Engineering Manager – Materials & Converting

Aurora, IL, USA

Posted Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 5:00 AM

We're Not Just in the Packaging Business–We're in the "Wow" Business

Pregis is Hiring!

Why Join Pregis?

Pregis is in the packaging business to protect what matters. We are committed to providing our customers and employees sustainable growth through purpose-driven innovation and customer-centric packaging solutions. If you are looking for a company that is thriving across various high growth industries and is innovative, customer focused, high integrity, believes in strong teamwork and collaboration, Pregis is the company for you.

Check out the Pregis Purpose to learn how sustainability and social responsibility is at the very core of our company DNA.

Job Description
To support Pregis’ aggressive growth plans, the Engineering Manager – Materials & Converting will lead NPD projects and innovation initiatives across Pregis. Key initiatives include driving sustainable consumable product offering through material development and next generation converting technologies.

Critical is this role is the need to understand the converting technology and fitness-for use of the products in application for our markets. This role will report to the Vice-President, Technology and be based in Aurora, IL.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from development through to commercialization using the NPC (New Product Commercialization) process
• Create roadmap to prove out concepts, via recommended modifications to manufacturing or pilot equipment
• Work strategically with approved external partners to accelerate development and ideation
• Manage projects while mentoring and support team members on projects, vendor selection and management
• Execution of multiple project paths to prove out concepts, build and/or modify pilot equipment to create consumable product prototypes

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  
  Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• Technical skills: A minimum of 12-15 years’ experience in a combination of roles as mechanical/ electrical/ manufacturing/ plant engineer. Working predominantly in plastic, paper, nonwoven web handling manufacturing environments.
• Leadership – Proven experience leading a group or individuals on root cause analysis on manufacturing equipment, in person or remote – Occam’s Razor
• PLC programming; HMI programming
• Servo and Stepper motor control programming
• Basic understanding of pneumatic systems and controls
• Understanding of 3 phase power, line transformers, 3-phase power distribution, switch gear, facility wiring, and machine connection.
• Capital Project Management
• Project Planning from start to finish which includes all aspects in scheduling/allocating resources, tracking budget, documentation, reviewing vendor quotes and conducting analysis, providing internal updates to stakeholders, managing work streams, and project installs
• Knowledge of Safety requirements CE compliance
• Support new equipment in manufacturing environment and maintenance
• Coordinate operator and maintenance training
• NPD Product Development
• The ability to understand machine capability
• Able to conceptually design and chose machine build partner, and align resources to projects
• Retain and build a trusted network of external service providers, including machine shops, electricians, control/system integrators.
• Strong communication skills and proven ability to effectively deliver critical messaging to cross functional stakeholders, internally and externally
• Demonstrated and proven ability to pivot, adapt, and flex to changing business priorities
• Proven experience in managing multiple projects with minimal oversight and ability to prioritize and manage multiple simultaneous work-streams
• Provide leadership on the manufacturing floor during…