Packaging Engineer

Role details

Job Summary

---------------

Clark Associates is a family of companies serving the foodservice industry through multiple distribution channels, including the industry-leading ecommerce platform WebstaurantStore.com, The Restaurant Store retail locations, and Clark National Accounts. As our catalog grows, we're expanding our engineering team by adding a Packaging Engineer to help lead that growth.

We're hiring a Packaging Engineer to design, develop, validate, and optimize packaging systems for new and existing products. This is a hands-on role: you'll spend time in our design lab prototyping and testing packaging, and in our warehouses identifying opportunities for improvement. You'll partner closely with Procurement, Quality, Compliance, and Supply Chain to ensure packaging meets performance, compliance, cost, and sustainability requirements.

Responsibilities

--------------------

• Design and develop structural packaging solutions for new and existing products
• Lead packaging development projects from concept through commercialization
• Design structural packaging using design software, then build and test physical prototypes in our design lab
• Plan and execute package validation testing, including drop, vibration, compression, transit, and distribution for new and existing products
• Evaluate packaging materials — plastics, paperboard, corrugated, labels, films, foams, or pulp molds — for functionality, quality, and cost-effectiveness
• Identify opportunities to cut shipping costs through DIM weight optimization and carrier-specific packaging strategies to minimize dimensional weight fees and in-transit damage across our delivery partners
• Develop packaging specifications, drawings, and technical documentation
• Analyze carrier damage claims, return rates, and customer complaint data to identify root causes and prioritize corrective actions for packaging-related issues
• Track key packaging KPIs — damage rate, cost per package, DIM savings, and complaint rate — to measure program effectiveness and guide priorities
• Ensure compliance with GMP, FDA, ISO, ASTM, and ISTA standards
• Partner with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Quality, Compliance, Operations, and Procurement — including developing packaging SOPs, training DC staff, and auditing adherence across facilities
• Work with Procurement and Global Sourcing to build the business case weighing the cost of packaging improvements against damage costs, customer experience, and other impacts

Physical Requirements

-------------------------

• Work is performed while sitting/standing and interfacing with a personal computer.
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision, and hearing.
• Requires the regular use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations.
• Requires occasional bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, and reaching.
• Requires the ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull medium weights, up to 50lbs.

Remote Work Qualifications

------------------------------

• Access to a reliable and secure high-speed internet connection. Cable or fiber internet connections (at least 75mbps download/10mbps upload) are preferred, as satellite connections often cannot support the technologies used to perform day-to-day tasks.
• Access to a home router and modem.
• A dedicated home office space that is noise- and distraction-free. The space should have strong wireless connection or a wired Ethernet connection (wired connection is preferred, if possible).
• A valid, physical address (apartment, suite, etc.). PO Boxes are not supported, as a physical address is required for you to receive your computer equipment.
• The desire and ability to work and communicate with other team members via chat, webcam, etc.
• Legal residents of one of the following states: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, or WY). H-1B Visa Sponsorship Not Available, W2 only.

Experience

--------------

• 2–5 years of experience in packaging development or package engineering
• Hands-on prototyping and testing experience — not just CAD design work
• Experience with ArtiosCAD, Solidworks, or similar structural packaging design software
• Knowledge of packaging validation and performance testing
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Occasional overnight travel to our warehouse network (less than 15% of the time), plus occasional international travel to work with overseas manufacturing partners
• 5 days per week on-site at our Lancaster campus under normal circumstances.

Education

-------------

This role does not require a degree. We value relevant skills and experience and alignment with our core values above all else.

Desired Traits & Skills

---------------------------

• Industrial engineering background, particularly process optimization, Lean, Six Sigma, or Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• Experience in pharmaceutical, medical device, biotech, consumer products, food & beverage, or manufacturing industries
• Knowledge of ISTA, ASTM, ISO 11607, FDA, and GMP requirements
• Experience with packaging line equipment, automation, and supplier qualification/commercialization
• Experience with drag knife tables, CNC equipment, and 3D printers
• IOPP certification

Company Overview

--------------------

A rapidly growing, multi-divisional company headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with services supporting all of Clark’s distribution methods in the food service industry.

Benefits

------------

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• PTO
• Paid Maternity Leave
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life Insurance
• Disability
• Dependent Care FSA
• 401(k) matching
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Incentives
• Company Discounts
• AT&T & Verizon Discount
• Bonus Opportunities
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Adoption Assistance

Available at HQ Locations Only

• On-Site Fitness Centers
• Dog-friendly Offices