Senior Innovation Engineer, Packaging Development
Listed on 2026-07-07
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Engineering
Quality Engineering, Product Engineer, Packaging Engineer
Senior Innovation Engineer, Packaging Development
kp is a globally recognised leader in the packaging and specialty film industry, renowned for its unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. The need to act on climate change has never been clearer, so we incorporate sustainability into everything we do by investing in better products that enhance protection, shelf life, and reduce the overall carbon footprint.
At kp, we are passionate about ensuring our customers' satisfaction and strive to meet their evolving needs. Our dedication to driving positive change in the packaging industry with a focus on quality and sustainability has earned us a reputation as a trusted partner worldwide.
kp is currently looking for a Senior Innovation Engineer, Packaging Development at our Pharma, Health & Durables Site in Charlottesville, VA. The role will be responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and validating high‑barrier sustainable packaging solutions for pharmaceutical and medical devices in global markets. This position aligns with kp’s short‑ and long‑term strategic goals and works with internal and external stakeholders to design and develop packaging solutions through collaboration with global innovation and cross‑functional teams.
Tasks& Responsibilities
- Understand market and customer requirements to design, develop, and validate high‑barrier sustainable packaging solutions for pharma and medical device products.
- Construct design briefs in close coordination with sales, product line management, quality, manufacturing, and regulatory to define product CTQs and CTPs.
- Lead packaging development projects from concept to commercialization using kp’s stage‑gate process and present stage‑gate updates to peers and senior leadership.
- Collaborate closely with the global innovation team to develop kp’s short‑ and long‑term strategic platform solutions.
- Ensure packaging solutions comply with global pharma and medical device regulatory requirements.
- Work with external partners to develop open‑innovation and joint solutions that meet customer and market expectations.
- Apply quality‑by‑design methodologies to develop robust solutions that meet pre‑defined CTQs and CTPs.
- Write timely, detailed, and succinct reports outlining project goals, actions, observations, and next steps.
- Demonstrate domain expertise in pharma and medical packaging.
- Collaborate with process and production engineers to solve real‑time operational challenges during product development.
- Utilise analytical techniques such as DSC, TGA, and FTIR.
- Partner with material and technology providers to drive innovations.
- Liaise with legal/patent attorneys to develop and evaluate IP and freedom‑to‑operate.
- Monitor and drive product safety through regulatory compliance for new products (e.g., CONEG, PROPs 65, FDA, EU, REACH).
Masters degree in Polymer/Chemical/Plastics Engineering with a minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience.
Knowledge & Skills- In‑depth knowledge of polymers such as PE, PET, PP, PETG, PCTFE, PVC, PVDC.
- Hands‑on experience with polymer processing techniques including single‑screw/twin‑screw extrusion, calendaring, coating, and lamination.
- Expertise in structure–property relationships of various polymers.
- Working knowledge of polymer additives (antioxidants, nucleating agents, antistatic agents, colorants).
- Experience with films that provide oxygen and moisture barriers for sensitive products.
- Domain knowledge of sterilizable medical device packaging films and sterilisation techniques (gamma, E‑Beam, EtO).
- Proficiency in extrusion, lamination, and coating processes.
- Strong understanding of analytical techniques (FTIR, DSC, TGA, DMA, microscopy).
- Familiarity with instruments such as tensile tester, impact tester, and rapid prototyping tools.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; ability to use Excel for data entry and analysis, Word for project reports, and PowerPoint for presentations.
- Excellent communication skills with internal and external stakeholders.
- Background in pharma/medical device packaging and regulatory norms is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to independently engage with customers,…
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