Protective Packaging Design Engineer

Protective Packaging Design Engineer Reports To: Chief Operating Officer Position Type: Full-Time Position Summary The Protective Packaging Design Engineer is responsible for developing innovative, functional, and manufacturable packaging solutions that protect customers’ products throughout storage, handling, and shipment. This role combines customer consultation, engineering design, CAD development, and hands-on prototype production to translate customer requirements into effective, production-ready packaging solutions. Working closely with customers, internal sales representatives, and production personnel, this individual will gather technical requirements, understand product vulnerabilities and distribution environments, and develop packaging concepts that balance product protection, material efficiency, cost, customer expectations, and manufacturing capabilities. The ideal candidate has an engineering background, strong technical and spatial reasoning skills, proficiency or aptitude in CAD software, and a practical understanding of manufacturing processes. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys solving engineering challenges, collaborating directly with customers, and bringing concepts to life through physical prototypes and samples. Key Responsibilities 1. Customer Consultation & Requirements Development  Conduct consultative calls and meetings with customers and internal sales representatives to understand packaging objectives, product requirements, and customer expectations.  Gather and evaluate critical product specifications, including dimensions, weight, fragility, orientation, handling requirements, and other characteristics that influence packaging design.  Assess shipping, storage, handling, and distribution conditions to determine potential risks and appropriate protective packaging requirements.  Translate customer needs and product requirements into clear design criteria, technical specifications, and packaging concepts.  Collaborate with sales representatives to develop solutions that address customer challenges while balancing functionality, cost, manufacturability, and overall value.  Communicate design concepts, technical recommendations, and proposed solutions clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences. 2. CAD Design & Engineering Development  Develop 2D and 3D packaging concepts, layouts, and detailed designs using CAD software, including Autodesk Inventor and ArtiosCAD.  Create technical drawings, design files, and supporting documentation for customer presentations, prototype development, and production implementation.  Design protective packaging solutions that account for product geometry, cushioning requirements, structural integrity, material selection, and shipping conditions.  Evaluate multiple design approaches to identify the most effective balance of protection, material usage, cost, and ease of manufacturing.  Revise and refine designs based on customer feedback, prototype evaluations, testing results, and internal production input.  Maintain accurate design files, revisions, specifications, and other documentation necessary to support repeatability and production consistency. 3. Prototype & Sample Development  Produce physical samples and prototypes that accurately represent proposed packaging designs and allow for customer review, evaluation, and testing.  Independently learn, set up, and operate a variety of sample-making and production equipment used in the packaging development process.  Convert CAD designs into practical prototypes while ensuring dimensional accuracy, structural integrity, and alignment with design intent.  Manage prototype and sample requests to meet customer deadlines and support sales activities, design approvals, and new business opportunities.  Troubleshoot design and equipment challenges, identify opportunities to improve sample-making processes, and resolve issues efficiently.  Evaluate prototypes for fit, fu…

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