Sterling Engineering Inc.
Packaging Engineer
19 days ago
Knoxville
Job Description Job Title: Packaging Engineer Location: Knoxville, TN Industry: Food & Beverage ManufacturingTarget Pay Range: $90K-$130K Employment Type: Full-TimeBenefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401K We are seeking a Packaging Engineer to lead the development, qualification, and optimization of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging systems across our operations. This role is a key technical authority and hands-on contributor supporting packaging design, supplier qualification, plant implementation, and packaging-related food safety and quality issues.The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with experience in packaging for food, beverage, or consumer goods. You’ll work cross-functionally with operations, quality, R&D, and supply chain to ensure packaging materials and processes meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards. Key Responsibilities Packaging Specifications & Technical Ownership (50%) • Own and manage packaging material and equipment specifications, • Lead packaging qualification and validation activities, • Provide technical oversight for supplier assessments and integrate packaging controls into manufacturing, • Develop and maintain pallet configuration, truck loading, stretch film, and MOD pallet requirements, • Act as a technical liaison between suppliers and plant operations, • Lead supplier-focused technical teams and plant trialsProjects & Continuous Improvement (30%), • Support new packaging development and cost-savings initiatives, • Conduct pilot trials, verification tests, and performance analysis, • Assist with the qualification of new suppliers and materials, • Drive packaging-related process improvements in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, • Stay current with industry innovations and implement best practicesManufacturing & Problem Solving (20%), • Own the seaming program across different can sizes and lines, • Troubleshoot packaging performance issues internally and at co-manufacturer sites, • Support packaging line studies and capacity enhancements, • Assist with equipment design, installation, and commissioning for packaging applications, • Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Material Science, or related field (with packaging emphasis)Experience:, • 3+ years in food, beverage, or CPG industry, • Background in manufacturing, product development, or technical servicesPreferred Certifications:, • Six Sigma or other continuous improvement training, • Better Process Control School (BPCS), • Food Safety or Preventative Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI)Key Skills & Competencies, • Strong systems/process mindset and technical writing ability, • Proficiency in packaging validation and statistical process control (SPC), • Effective communicator across technical and non-technical groups, • Hands-on and collaborative approach to plant operations, • Experience in hermetic sealing and metal can packaging is a plus, • Strong time management, problem solving, and cross-functional leadershipQualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.