Designer - Packaging Engineer

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence.

We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.

People
• Customers
• Trust

Under limited supervision, the Designer collaborates with customers and sales representatives to create designs for new products, redesign packaging for existing products, and develop new uses for existing packages for the purpose of securing new business and expanding present business. The Designer is integral to the total service team accessible to our customers. PCA offers customers the expertise of our Designers to develop the optimal design solutions for their business.

Designers utilizes PCA design software and techniques to create packaging and Point of Purchase (POP) displays to help customers get noticed and get results in the marketplace.

Apply advanced design skills in the creation of designs for packaging and/or point of service displays for new and existing products in accordance with PCA design and safety standards.

Evaluate customer needs and expectations and translates them into drawings, designs, and prototypes within the manufacturing capabilities of the plant.

Develop, design, and recommend materials and production methods that will meet customer requirements and most efficiently utilize existing plant facilities and equipment.

Create or secure samples of designs for customer inspection, production orders, and/or division operation.

Perform packaging and component testing, evaluate results, and advise sales, manufacturing, and customers of findings.

Evaluate existing customer or prospective customer packaging for possible improvement in style, function, appearance, cost, and/or ease of packaging as directed by supervisor.

Conduct design reviews with customers.

Generate product cost data, including estimation of run speeds, packaging costs, material usages, and scrap factors.

Coordinate activities related to developing graphics, prototypes and samples, including vendor negotiations, designing dies, material availability, direction, troubleshooting, reviewing samples, testing, and redirection based on feedback and results.

Provide technical assistance to the Sales Representatives and Customer Service Representative regarding layouts, estimating, die making, order specifications, customer packaging procedures, material handling techniques, detailed artwork, printing dies, and approve printing press and die cut set‑ups for initial order of new designs.

Provide training, guidance and support to junior designers.

Education equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, structural design, art, engineering, or packaging required.

Strong working knowledge of production methods, printing methods, materials, styles, and standard design forms and retail usage of packaging and point of purchase displays required.

Minimum of three (3) years’ previous experience with packaging and point of purchase display creation and design.

Strong working knowledge computer systems including experience with including experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Computer Assisted Design (CAD) software.

Experience in corrugated industry with a technical understanding of corrugated packaging design, cutting dies, converting machinery and printing.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle numerous details, deadlines, and requests.

Able to work in a fast paced, deadline‑oriented environment, prioritize assignments, and handle multiple tasks concurrently.

Solid financial and business…