Packaging Engineer
BS-level Product Development roles on Crosslinked list a median of $119k (191 that show pay).
Design, test, and commercialize primary and secondary packaging for cosmetic and personal care products.
Worth knowing
Why it is interesting. Own packaging from concept to commercialization for a Fast Company top-3 beauty company.
Might not be for you. Primarily office-based with some production floor time; not a deep R&D lab role.
Adjacent materials roleStrong knowledge of cosmetic packaging materials (plastics, glass, aluminum, paperboard) and component functionality
- Seniority
- Mid-level
- Work
- On-site
- Type
- Full-time
- Degree
- BS
- Experience
- 2–5 yrs
- Industry
- Consumer goods
- Role
- Product Development
- Visa
- No sponsorship
Role details
Packaging Engineer
JOB DESCRIPTION
Department: Commercial / Brand Partnerships
Status: Full Time Salary
Location: Bolingbrook
Last date revised: August 2026
ABOUT US: We are a rapidly growing company named Fast Company’s #2 Most Innovative Beauty Company for 2023. Our mission is to enhance lives through healthy skin, partnering with beauty brands to develop and manufacture products that promote skin health for all. We believe the future of sun care is the future of beauty™.
ABOUT THE POSITION: (why does job exist)
The Packaging Engineer is responsible for the design, development, testing, and commercialization of primary and secondary packaging solutions for cosmetic and personal care products. This role partners closely with Product Development, Marketing, Quality, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to deliver innovative, functional, sustainable, and cost-effective packaging that meets brand aesthetics, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing capabilities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and develop primary and secondary packaging components such as bottles, jars, tubes, pumps, caps, droppers, compacts, cartons, and labels for cosmetic products
- Collaborate with Product Development and Marketing to translate brand, consumer, and formula requirements into technically sound packaging solutions
- Lead packaging feasibility assessments, specifications, and timelines from concept through commercialization
- Conduct and oversee packaging testing including compatibility, stability, transport, drop, compression, leakage, and line trials
- Support qualification and onboarding of new packaging materials, components, and suppliers
- Identify and implement cost-saving, sustainability, and performance improvement opportunities
- Ensure packaging designs comply with applicable regulatory, sustainability, and quality standards (e.g., FDA, ISO, ASTM, sustainability guidelines)
- Develop and maintain packaging specifications, drawings, BOMs, and technical documentation
- Provide technical support during manufacturing scale-up, validation, and production launch
- Troubleshoot packaging-related issues in manufacturing, filling, and distribution
- Stay current on cosmetic packaging trends, materials, innovations, and sustainability solutions
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
- 2–5+ years of packaging engineering experience, preferably in cosmetics, personal care, or consumer packaged goods (CPG)
- Strong knowledge of cosmetic packaging materials (plastics, glass, aluminum, paperboard) and component functionality
- Experience with packaging testing methods and standards
- Familiarity with cosmetic filling lines and manufacturing processes
- Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, ArtiosCAD, or similar)
- Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple projects simultaneously
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with sustainable packaging initiatives (recyclability, PCR materials, material reduction)
- Knowledge of global cosmetic regulatory requirements
- Prior experience working directly with overseas packaging suppliers
- Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing experience
Key Competencies
- Technical problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Effective communication and collaboration
- Innovation mindset
- Results-driven and solutions-oriented
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position in a manufacturing setting:
- Primarily sedentary work performed in an office environment, including extended periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Frequent walking and standing required when working on the production floor, attending meetings, or engaging with customers.
- Exposure to manufacturing environments, which may include noise, dust, temperature variations, and the need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Ability to lift and carry materials such as files, laptops, or lab equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Occasional travel between manufacturing sites or to attend off-site meetings, trainings, or conferences.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYER
Solésence Beauty Science is an Equal Employment Opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.
The compensation offered will be determined by factors such as level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986, employers must verify both the identity and employment authorization of every employee. Therefore, employees and applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship. While our current hiring plans do not include sponsorship, we remain open to evaluating individual circumstances based on company needs and future opportunities.
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