Packaging Engineer

Stellantis•Center Line, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The On-Site Packaging Engineer is the plant’s primary owner of packaging specifications, execution, and compliance, with direct accountability for how parts are packaged, handled, and processed within the facility. This role ensures packaging solutions effectively balance quality, damage prevention, cost control, safety, ergonomics, and operational efficiency. The Packaging Engineer maintains a strong daily presence on the dock and production floor to identify inbound packaging changes, risks, and improvement opportunities. Reporting to the Packaging Engineering Manager, this position operates with a dotted-line relationship to the Plant Manager and Operations Manager to support plant objectives while maintaining clear lines of demarcation in a unionized manufacturing environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering (required)
Strong understanding of material flow, dock operations, and production environments
Demonstrated ability to balance quality, damage, cost, and safety trade-offs
Experience working in a unionized environment with clear respect for roles, responsibilities, and lines of demarcation
Strong communication skills and agility to work in a dynamic workplace

Nice To Haves

Experience in an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment
Hands-on experience with returnable and expendable packaging systems
Experience assigning or validating machine compatibility for parts and packaging
Familiarity with material handling equipment and ergonomic standards
Experience identifying and managing inbound packaging changes or supplier deviations
Prior experience working directly with suppliers and purchasing teams
Ability to operate independently and make sound, floor-level decisions in a fast-paced plant environment

Responsibilities

Own and maintain all packaging specifications used within the plant, including containers, racks, dunnage, and expendable packaging
Assign and approve the machine(s), processing paths, and material handling methods for parts based on packaging design and plant capabilities
Serve as the on-site authority for packaging-related decisions impacting quality, damage, cost, safety, ergonomics, and throughput
Routinely walk the dock and production floor to monitor inbound packaging and identify unauthorized changes or non-compliance
Investigate and resolve packaging-related quality issues, part damage, safety concerns, and material flow disruptions
Balance competing priorities across quality protection, damage prevention, cost control, and operator safety
Ensure inbound packaging aligns with approved specifications and escalate deviations through proper channels
Partner with Operations, Quality, Logistics, and Maintenance while respecting defined roles and union work rules
Support Purchasing and suppliers on packaging compliance, changes, and cost-related discussions
Lead packaging validation activities including trials, audits, corrective actions, and plant readiness reviews
Ensure all packaging solutions comply with corporate standards, plant safety requirements, and union agreements
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on packaging performance, standardization, and cost reduction