Research and Development Packaging Engineer

With a purpose to make tomorrow a little bit better than today for each other, our customers, and our communities, Ascentek provides an environment where you can love what you do and be your best every day.

What you will enjoy by being a part of a 2025 USA Great Place to Work certified company:

A position that is: Salary, Full time, Mon-Fri

• Medical Plan options, including fertility coverage and free mental health and telehealth coverage
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• FSA/HSA options
• Paid parental leave
• Company-provided short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Supplemental Insurances, including accident, critical illness, hospital, and supplemental life insurance
• 401(k) with a generous company match
• Pet Insurance Benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• 21 Paid Days Off
• 7 Paid Holidays

• Short-term Incentive Plan (STIP), ask your Talent Partner for details
• Dress For Your Day (casual dress environment)
• Paid comprehensive on-the-job training
• Company computer provided
• Career advancement opportunities

The R&D Packaging Engineer position involves overseeing, implementing, and effectively accomplishing projects related to packaging innovation, development, sustainability, optimization, operational validation, and cost reduction projects across the business for Ascentek. As a team member, this person will play a vital role in implementing and enhancing various aspects of packaging, including processes, innovation, manufacturing, bill of materials, and specification systems, to ensure the successful introduction of assigned projects to the market. Additionally, this position will collaborate with suppliers, Supply Chain, and BU functions in manufacturing packages that meet customer and consumer expectations and are optimized to our operational capacities.

Packaging Development Skillset

• Develop, Supervise, and direct the entire process of packaging development: packaging designs, creation of prototypes, assessment of manufacturing capabilities, and performance testing.
• Address challenges in new and existing packaging, covering designs, materials, and processes. Deliver innovative, timely, and cost-efficient resolutions.
• Develop opportunities for savings, optimization, innovation, sustainability, and quality enhancements pertinent to the business and implement them.
• Collaborate with business and technical counterparts on designated projects, alongside external partners and resources. Organize, carry out, and evaluate trials or tests in plant or lab settings.
• Evaluate, sanction, interpret, and develop technical specifications.
• Effectively manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Coordinate packaging project timelines to align with organizational milestones.
• Present findings from technical reports to the business team, utilizing both written and oral communication.
• Acquire a comprehensive understanding of the packaging principles and operational systems within the business and drive improvement.
• Stay informed about technical trends and advancements in the packaging industry.
• Accumulate valuable experience across various packaging technology platforms, such as bottles, caps, pouches, film, paperboard, and corrugated.
• Forge strong working relationships with key suppliers.

Education:

• BS in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent

Experience and/or Training:

• 5+ years packaging design and engineering experience, preferably in the lubricant or other liquids markets. Creativity and excellent skills in written and verbal communication required.
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office applications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present information (both written and verbal) clearly and concisely at all levels of the organization.
• Critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills balanced with vision, creativity, and resourcefulness.
• Excellent time management, project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities within demanding timeframes and effectively shift individual or team workloads to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining consistency and accuracy of work.
• Proven success in influencing, driving change, and aligning teams beyond reporting structure while building strong, collaborative partnerships.
• Team player that is reliable, flexible, and works in a fast pace, high-growth environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 25-30%.

Physical demands: sitting, walking, twisting, squatting, reclining, climbing, kneeling, grasping, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion etc.

Mental Demands: Comprehend and follow instructions, perform assigned tasks, maintain an appropriate work pace, perform complex or varied tasks, relate to others, influence people, make decisions, direct, control, plan, interact with public or coworkers in written form, communicate orally, etc.

Environmental demands: Extreme cold or heat, noise, vibration, exposure to (dust/ gas/ fumes/steam/chemicals), work outdoors, work at heights, working around moving machinery, walking on uneven ground, PPE required, etc.

The anticipated hiring range for the role you are applying for is between $75,000 and $115,000 annually. This anticipated hiring range is based on several factors, and subject to increase based on the below:

1. Experience and qualifications: The depth of relevant experience and specific skills you bring to the position.
2. Education and certifications: Any additional qualifications that enhance your ability to succeed in the role.
3. Market and industry benchmarks: We compare compensation packages with industry standards to ensure we are competitive.
4. Internal equity: We strive to maintain pay equity across the organization to ensure fairness for all teammates performing similar work.

At Ascentek, we are committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information about our career opportunities. For the most accurate job descriptions, salary details, and benefit information, we encourage you to visit our official careers page at https://www.ascentek.com/careers/.

Ascentek is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.