Lead Packaging Engineer

Role details

Shippers Supply, Inc. has been solving packaging challenges for customers since 1928. We’re an independently owned distributor of packaging, shipping, and industrial supplies and packaging equipment. We back that up with equipment service, inventory management programs, and packaging assessments that help our customers run more efficiently. Our custom packaging division designs and manufactures protective and transit packaging for OEMs and manufacturers in medical equipment, electronics, furniture and fixtures, and industrial equipment. We support businesses nationwide with culture built on teamwork, professionalism, and entrepreneurial spirit.

About the Role

The Lead Packaging Engineer is the senior technical role in our growing custom packaging division, and a supervisory role. You own custom packaging projects from the first customer conversation through production release: design, specification, costing, BOM and ERP setup, sourcing, prototyping, and hand-off to production. The work is hands-on. You cut your own prototypes on our Kongsberg digital cutting table and are on the floor for first production runs.

You’ll also lead and supervise the engineering team: assign and review work, train and mentor, conduct performance reviews, and make hiring and pay recommendations. You set the technical standards the team works to and have a real voice in where the division goes next.

This position reports to the Director of Custom Packaging.

What You’ll Do

• Design protective and transit packaging in fabricated foam, corrugated, wood crates and skids, and hybrid constructions using SolidWorks and ArtiosCAD, and release complete, production-ready drawing packages.

• Produce samples and prototypes on our Kongsberg digital cutting table; run drop, vibration, and compression testing; identify failure modes and refine designs.

• Develop cost estimates and set up part numbers, bills of materials, and routings in our ERP so every quote and production run starts from accurate data; maintain revision control on CAD files, drawings, and specifications.

• Lead and supervise the packaging engineering team: assign and review work, train and mentor, conduct performance reviews, and make hiring and pay recommendations. Review and approve all design work before release.

• Join Sales on customer meetings and site visits; present design options, costs, and trade-offs; conduct packaging assessments that reduce customers’ costs and damage rates.

• Manage schedules and priorities across the custom team, and coordinate hand-offs with Sales, Customer Service, Purchasing, and Production.

• Work with Purchasing to qualify vendors, evaluate quotes, and weigh make-versus-buy decisions.

• Document the division’s workflows, standards, and templates, and support our ISO 9001:2015 quality system.

What You Bring

• 7+ years of hands-on custom packaging design experience across foam, corrugated, and wood crating

• Proficiency in SolidWorks and ArtiosCAD (required)

• Experience with product costing, BOM and routing setup in an ERP, and revision control

• 3+ years of direct people management (hiring, performance reviews, and coaching) leading designers or engineers

• 3+ years of sourcing and vendor management, including quote evaluation and make-versus-buy analysis

• 3+ years managing multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines

• Strong materials knowledge: foam types and densities, corrugated grades and flute profiles, and crate construction

• Experience presenting designs, costs, and trade-offs to customers

• Advanced Excel skills

• Bachelor’s degree in packaging, mechanical, or manufacturing engineering, industrial design, or a related field, or equivalent experience

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Nice to Have

• Hands-on experience operating a digital cutting table (Kongsberg preferred)

• Familiarity with ISTA and ASTM D4169 testing standards

• Experience with ISO 9001 quality systems

• Background in custom or build-to-order manufacturing

Work Environment & Location

You’ll split your time between the office, the production floor, and customer sites. The role involves bending, reaching, and occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs.

We are located at the corner of Douglas Drive and Hwy 55 in Golden Valley, next to Hwy 100.

Pay & Benefits

The pay range for this position is $105,000-$135,000 per year. The higher end of the range is reserved for candidates whose experience and qualifications exceed the requirements of the role; most new hires start near the beginning of the range, with increases based on performance and tenure.

Shippers Supply offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a health savings account (HSA), a 401(k) with company match, profit sharing, paid time off (PTO), volunteer time off (VTO), company-paid life insurance and long-term disability (LTD), and other wellness programs.

Equal Opportunity

We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Background checks and drug tests required (we do not test for cannabis at new hire).