Product Development Engineer

Job DescriptionJob Description
Job Title: Product Development Engineer
We’re seeking a driven and collaborative professional to join a leading organization in the rigid packaging space, focused on innovation and new product development. This position plays a key role in driving successful commercialization efforts and enhancing customer experience.Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with customers, sales, marketing, manufacturing, and operations to ensure smooth and timely launches of new packaging products.
• Lead project management efforts related to new product development initiatives.
• Develop and refine commercial specifications that balance customer requirements with manufacturing capabilities.
• Utilize statistical tools to gather and analyze technical and performance data.
• Lead customer technical discussions, plant visits, and trials to accelerate the path from concept to commercialization.
• Drive division-wide initiatives in raw materials and converting technologies, identifying innovation opportunities and sharing insights with cross-functional teams.
• Provide on-site support for plant trials and new product implementations.
• Proactively identify packaging features that add end-user value.
• Seek and propose cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or performance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Packaging Science, Materials Science, or equivalent professional experience.
• Background in the packaging industry strongly .
• Familiarity with rigid materials such as PET, PE, PS, or PP films, sheets, adhesives, extrusion, and inks is a plus.
• Experience in thermoforming (including trim-in-place and remote trim), extrusion blow molding, injection molding, or other rigid packaging processes is highly desirable.
• Prior involvement in product development or process engineering with customer-facing project leadership is beneficial.
• PMP certification or training is an added advantage.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

About Spark Packaging:Spark Packaging is a Michigan-headquartered recruiting and staffing company that connects great talent with great employers. We understand that finding a new position can be stressful and identifying top talent can be challenging. For us to maximize successful placement and retention, we start by listening to and understanding each of our clients. We believe in face-to-face interaction and having a solid understanding of our client’s business before placement. We pride ourselves in team development as it matches our purpose as an organization to continually create career opportunities.