Packaging Engineer

Job Title: Principal Packaging Engineer (Contract)

Location: Round Lake, Illinois (Onsite; up to 2 days per week remote may be available based on business needs)

Employment Type: W2 Contract

Duration: 12 Months

Job Summary:

Our client, a global leader in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, is seeking a Principal Packaging Engineer to support its Pharmaceutical Research & Development team in Round Lake, Illinois. This position focuses on sustaining engineering activities for existing product packaging and packaging processes while supporting new product development initiatives. The role partners with cross-functional teams to ensure packaging solutions meet quality, regulatory, manufacturing, and business objectives through design, testing, validation, and implementation.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and support packaging engineering projects related to quality improvements, CAPA initiatives, regulatory compliance, supplier changes, cost reduction, and new product introductions.
• Independently manage multiple packaging projects of moderate complexity while meeting project timelines and business objectives.
• Develop packaging validation and verification protocols and coordinate Change Control activities with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Collaborate with manufacturing facilities, suppliers, quality, regulatory, and engineering teams to implement packaging changes.
• Evaluate, qualify, and approve new packaging materials, components, and packaging systems.
• Prepare packaging specifications, engineering drawings, technical documentation, and procedural instructions.
• Recommend design improvements and material changes that enhance product performance, quality, manufacturability, and cost efficiency.
• Investigate and resolve complex packaging challenges using structured problem-solving methodologies, including DMAIC and statistical analysis.
• Support financial analysis and business justification for packaging projects and process improvements.
• Participate in new product development activities by contributing to packaging design, development, testing, and manufacturing qualification.
• Maintain documentation in compliance with applicable quality systems, regulatory requirements, and internal procedures.
• Travel occasionally to domestic and international manufacturing facilities or supplier locations as business needs require.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or a related engineering discipline, such as Mechanical, Chemical, Biomedical, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in packaging engineering or a related engineering environment.
• Experience with packaging materials and manufacturing processes, including flexible and rigid packaging systems.
• Knowledge of packaging development methodologies, change control processes, and verification/validation activities.
• Experience managing engineering projects with demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple assignments.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Experience applying statistical methods and Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical information to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional technical and business teams.
• Working knowledge of Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device industry.
• Familiarity with thermoforming, flow-wrap, form/fill/seal systems, corrugated packaging, protective packaging, HDPE and foil pouches, printing technologies, and related packaging processes.

Work Requirements:

• Work onsite in Round Lake, Illinois, with the possibility of working remotely up to two days per week based on business needs and manager approval.
• Standard schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Ability to travel occasionally to manufacturing facilities and supplier locations, including domestic and international travel, as required.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

$50.00–$55.00 per hour (W2)

In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws, the listed hourly pay range represents the client's good-faith estimate of compensation for this position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, market conditions, and other business considerations.

This is a W2 contract position. No employer-provided benefits are included unless otherwise specified in a written employment agreement.

Equal Opportunity

Employer:

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age,…