Structure & Design Specialist – Folding Carton​/Packaging

Overview

Company Accu Rate Paper Box is a privately held business located in Knoxville, TN, serving the Southeast and Midwest. We manufacture and design folding cartons and related paperboard products to meet a variety of customer needs.

Job Summary

The Structure and Design Specialist translates customer concepts into manufacturable, high-quality folding carton solutions. This role requires technical knowledge of packaging substrates and production capabilities, as well as creative design acumen. The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of experience in structural packaging design, with a focus on folding cartons, and a bachelor’s degree in packaging, industrial design, or a related field from a reputable university.

This position collaborates cross-functionally with sales, production, and prepress to deliver innovative solutions that align with customer expectations and Accurate Paper Box’s standards for quality, efficiency, and performance.

• Design and engineer folding carton structures using ArtiosCAD and related design software
• Create, modify, and manage dielines to meet customer requirements and ensure production feasibility
• Collaborate closely with Sales and Customer Service to understand project goals, budgets, and technical constraints
• Lead sample creation and mock-up development using cutting table (e.g., ZUND) for customer presentations and approvals
• Work with Prepress to ensure clean transitions from structural layout to press-ready files
• Proactively assess manufacturability and recommend substrate or finishing alternatives as needed
• Attend customer meetings (onsite and virtual) to review structure performance, provide recommendations, and help close business
• Maintain organized records of design iterations, customer specs, and final approved files
• Stay current on packaging trends, material innovations, and sustainability practices
• Support Quality, Operations, and Sales teams in cost-reduction initiatives through smart design

• Act as a thought leader and collaborative partner in internal design and innovation efforts
• Promote a customer-first attitude across teams by developing purposeful and production-smart design solutions
• Participate in project kickoff meetings and bring a solutions-driven mindset to every phase of design
• Mentor junior designers or interns as needed to help foster technical growth within the department

• Technical & Structural Thinking:
  Deep understanding of board grades, folding mechanics, die-cutting, gluing, and press constraints
• Creative Problem Solving:
  Balance visual branding needs with efficient design for production
• Attention to Detail:
  Precision in dieline layout, measurement, and fit; ability to preempt issues before production
• Communication:
  Translate complex design concepts into understandable terms for non-technical stakeholders
• Time Management:
  Prioritize multiple design projects to meet fast-paced customer deadlines
• Decision-Making:
  Make timely decisions based on both creative instincts and production know-how
• Software
  
  Skills:
  
  ArtiosCAD (required), Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook), familiarity with ERP/MIS integration

• Required:
  
  5+ years of structural design experience specifically in folding carton or related packaging
• Preferred:
  Experience collaborating directly with customers and production for custom packaging solutions
• Preferred:
  Familiarity with ZUND or similar sample table systems

• Required:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science, Industrial Design, Structural Design, or a related discipline from an accredited university

• 401(k)
• Bonus based on performance
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance