Principal Packaging Engineer

Responsibilities

• Champion ideas for technology improvements, compliance requirements, sustainability enhancements, cost savings, and innovation aligned with strategic business priorities.
• Serve as a recognized subject matter expert and technical leader in packaging engineering.
• Drive execution of complex, cross‑functional projects to deliver against platform and enterprise‑level objectives.
• Maintain a strong awareness of technical trends, regulatory changes, compliance requirements, and advancements within the packaging industry.
• Define and align technical objectives for assigned businesses and projects.
• Lead multiple complex projects simultaneously while managing priorities effectively.
• Collaborate closely with internal business partners and cross‑functional teams at a senior level.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, suppliers, and technical resources.
• Represent the company with professionalism and contribute positively to its reputation within the technical and packaging community.
• Apply strong expertise in experimental design, performance specifications, and commissioning, qualification, and validation design.
• Mentor and develop packaging engineers across platforms.

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the packaging industry, preferably within consumer packaged goods, or a Master’s or Doctorate degree in Packaging or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with government regulatory requirements related to Extended Producer Responsibility and food processing.
• Excellent understanding of packaging materials, equipment capabilities, and advanced testing methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of food science and the impact of packaging on food quality.
• Thorough understanding of end‑of‑life design requirements for recyclable packaging.
• Strong knowledge of food safety principles, sanitary design, and equipment cleaning.
• In‑depth knowledge of physical and structural package testing procedures.
• Understanding of the current packaging regulatory landscape, including Extended Producer Responsibility laws.
• Proven skill analyzing all aspects of new packaging systems.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong collaboration skills with the capacity to maintain effective cross‑functional partnerships.
• Effective negotiation skills for conflict resolution.
• Experience supporting intellectual property development and exclusivity patents.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.

More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process. This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply: you may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand‑eye coordination. You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size.

This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.

Pay Range: $109,000 – $159,000 (annual). The actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

• Health:
  Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement.
• Wealth:
  Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan.
• Growth:
  Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on‑demand learning and tuition reimbursement.
• Balance:
  Paid‑time off, parental leave, flexible work‑schedules and volunteer opportunities.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.