Engineer - Innovation​/Intelligence Packaging

Locations: Rochester, NY | Menasha, WI | Hanover Park, IL

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Travel: Approximately 30%

Salary Range: $90,000 - $105,000 annually

Job Category: Innovation/R&D Full-Time

At Pro Ampac, innovation is more than a department. It is a commitment to developing packaging solutions that create value for customers, consumers, and the environment.

We are seeking a highly motivated Innovation Engineer, Active & Intelligent Packaging to join our growing Innovation and Technology team. This role is ideal for a scientist or engineer who is energized by research and development, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and wants to transform breakthrough ideas into commercially successful products.

You will work alongside technical experts, manufacturing teams, commercial partners, suppliers, and some of the world's most recognized brands to develop next-generation active and intelligent packaging solutions. From concept development and laboratory evaluation to plant trials and market launch, you will play a key role in advancing innovative technologies that help define the future of flexible packaging.

• Support the development and commercialization of active and intelligent packaging technologies.
• Evaluate new concepts through laboratory testing, product validation, and customer trials.
• Design and execute food shelf-life, microbiology, physical property, and performance testing protocols.
• Partner with R&D, manufacturing, quality, procurement, sales, suppliers, and customers to advance innovative packaging solutions.
• Support the qualification of substrates, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Lead and support plant trials and scale-up activities from development through commercialization.
• Research emerging technologies, industry trends, scientific literature, and regulatory developments.
• Assist in troubleshooting technical and product quality issues.
• Support customer innovation workshops and collaborative product development initiatives.
• Develop technical documentation, specifications, and performance reports.
• Ensure compliance with applicable FDA requirements and industry standards.
• Apply project management and cost-analysis techniques to drive successful innovation projects.

• Master’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Packaging Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting product development, research, innovation, or commercialization activities in packaging, food, materials, or related industries.
• Working knowledge of microbiology, chemistry, packaging science, material science, and statistical methodologies.
• Experience working with FDA regulations and quality standards.
• Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across technical and commercial teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and Word.

• PhD in Food Science, Microbiology, Packaging Science, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience with active packaging, intelligent packaging, food preservation technologies, flexible packaging, materials development, or related innovation initiatives.
• Experience supporting manufacturing scale-up, process validation, or customer trials.

• Develop next-generation packaging technologies.
• Collaborate with industry experts and leading consumer brands.
• Take concepts from research through commercialization.
• Influence innovation strategy and product development.
• Work in a collaborative culture that values curiosity,…