Packaging Engineer III

Rheem•Montgomery, AL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Packaging Engineer III is a senior level engineering role responsible for leading complex packaging development initiatives supporting new product launches, cost optimization, and supply chain efficiency. This position emphasizes advanced packaging design, testing, and implementation to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable product delivery. The role also plays a key part in driving innovation and providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers. This position supports Rheem North America and will be based in Montgomery, AL. The selected candidate should be prepared for up to 10% travel to collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing sites in alignment with strategic business needs. This position will serve our Water Heating Division , located in Montgomery, AL (onsite).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science or Mechanical Engineering.
5+ years of experience in packaging design and application.
Exposure to engineering/manufacturing change processes.
General knowledge of ISTA testing and system development tools.
Hands-on experience with ISTA testing and system development tools.
Exposure to regulatory compliance and environmental impact considerations.
Advanced experience in engineering/manufacturing change processes and leading packaging portions of product development projects.
Expertise in packaging design optimization for cost, functionality, and manufacturability.
Mastery of CAD tools and simulation software for complex packaging challenges
Extensive experience managing engineering/manufacturing change processes and integrating packaging systems with production workflows.
Awareness of package design processes and tools; ability to assist in converting basic requirements into packaging concepts.
Introductory understanding of Design of Experiments (DOE) and test engineering concepts.
Knowledge of package design methodologies; ability to convert customer and market requirements into manufacturable designs.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Packaging Science or Mechanical Engineering.
Expertise in Design of Experiments (DOE) for complex packaging challenges.
Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.
Basic knowledge of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for simulating loads and stresses.
Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations: Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) or Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional (CPLP)

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain packaging test protocols aligned with supply chain, regulatory, and customer requirements.
Design, prototype, and test packaging solutions using internal and external resources.
Create preliminary packaging layouts, including dielines (.dxf), dimensions, tolerances, and 3D models.
Interpret engineering drawings and specifications to determine design factors such as size, shape, materials, and component arrangement.
Plan, review, and verify packaging engineering changes prior to production release.
Ensure packaging designs comply with engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications.
Prepare certification documentation and coordinate testing with internal and external laboratories.
Collaborate with suppliers and vendors to develop, refine, and qualify packaging components.
Lead and manage packaging projects, including timelines, deliverables, success metrics, and performance audits.
Investigate and resolve packaging-related issues, implementing corrective and continuous improvement actions.
Identify and implement opportunities for cost reduction, sustainability improvements, and material optimization.
Design and optimize packaging systems for manufacturability, durability, cost efficiency, and supply chain performance.
Support production start-ups, pilot runs, and equipment trials for new packaging designs.
Stay current on emerging packaging technologies, materials, and industry standards.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams and business leaders to align objectives and lead special project initiatives.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and project team members.
Develop evaluation and validation test plans, including test setup, data collection, and results analysis.