Senior Packaging Engineer

The Wellness Pet Company is on a mission to help the next generation of pet parents fulfill a shared life of wellbeing with their pets through a foundation of proven nutrition. We are committed to crafting high-quality pet food, dental chews, treats, and topper recipes that are made with the perfect balance of high-quality natural ingredients paired with the latest scientific research and technologies.

Our Senior Packaging Development Engineers play a pivotal role by overseeing a portfolio of packaging activities and managing complex projects from concept through launch. This individual contributor job focuses on collaboration with business partners, packagers, co‑manufacturers, and cross‑functional innovation pods while investigating sustainable solutions.

Burlington, Massachusetts – in‑office Monday to Thursday, remote Fridays. Team members must reside within or be willing to relocate to a commutable distance from our Burlington office.

• Develop and set standards around specifications and specification management, introducing innovation and design to value solutions.
• Represent Packaging in the creation of near‑ and long‑term product innovation and packaging sustainability roadmaps.
• Lead multiple projects, including support for new product launches, existing portfolio updates, and sustainability initiatives, ensuring on‑time execution of packaging activities.
• Build a solid knowledge of different packaging structures and applications.
• Build industry relationships by supporting supplier transitions for new packaging materials and by collaborating with 3rd‑party manufacturers and co‑packers.
• Maintain expertise in the management of packaging information inputs for finished goods.
• Participate in and support trials and first production runs with manufacturing plants.
• Create protocols and success criteria for trials and first production runs.
• Plan, coordinate, and report each trial, providing technical support to ensure proper documentation of objectives and outcomes.

• Consumer‑focused on all they do.
• Can set a vision for where we can play to win.
• Continually challenges themselves to go the extra mile, ensuring it’s done the right way.
• Holds themselves and others accountable.
• Embraces continual development through sharing feedback and investing in learning opportunities.
• True collaborator, sharing resources, and engaging in healthy debate.
• Celebrates differences and strives to learn from diverse perspectives.
• Gives back to their community and supports sustainable practices.

• Bachelor of Science in Packaging Science or related field.
• 7‑10 years of experience in a packaging development and engineering role.
• Experience in the fast‑moving consumer goods industry, ideally human or pet food flexible packaging.
• Strong business acumen, external packaging supplier network, and expertise in new product commercialization.
• Business‑oriented, rigorous problem‑solving mindset that considers leadership qualities (vision setting, prioritization, influence) and functional competencies (manufacturing, transportation, sustainability, cost, design, shelf life, sales).
• Passion for packaging sustainability with experience collaborating with external partners.
• Experience in packaging development from concept to launch.
• Experience leading the design of sustainable packaging solutions that consider shelf presence, machine‑ability, shelf life, and product protection.
• Experience managing a portfolio of packaging projects and creating synergies.
• Working knowledge of CAPE and TOPS software.
• Comfortable working independently and with cross‑functional team members.
• General knowledge and understanding of package testing methodologies such as ISTA and ASTM.
• Experience building, organizing, and managing specifications within a database.
• Experience with commercialization projects, managing multiple projects while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

We care about the wellbeing of our people, their families, and their pets. We offer a best‑in‑class benefits package, a warm and welcoming environment, and opportunities for professional growth.

Equal Opportunity Workplace – We foster an inclusive work environment and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or veteran status.

Annual salary range: $101,600 to $148,300 (full‑time, based on responsibilities, market benchmarks, and equity). Compensation may vary within that range depending on experience, operational needs, and other considerations permitted by law. Eligibility for bonus programs may also apply.