Location:
Roseville, MI | Discipline:
Manufacturing | Posting Date:
10/09/2025 |
Packaging/Dunnage Engineer
Location: Roseville, MI - onsite, no WFH
Duration: 3 months with strong possibility of extension
Job summary
The Packaging/Dunnage Engineer will lead the design and development of innovative, cost-effective, and safe packaging and dunnage for all products. This role ensures customer specifications are met, manages the packaging submission process, and works with suppliers and internal teams to guarantee parts are protected throughout the supply chain. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of packaging materials, excellent communication skills, and is proficient in NX or CATIA software.
Responsibilities
- Design and development: Design and engineer custom packaging and dunnage (e.g., returnable racks, expendable containers, thermoformed trays) using CAD software; NX or CATIA. Review Customer Packaging Requirements to fully understand the parameters of the Packaging
- Size Limitations
- Pack Size
- Style – such as lids, expendable, returnable, stackable
- Customer liaison: Act as the primary contact for customers regarding packaging requirements. Translate customer specifications into clear internal requirements and manage the entire packaging submission and approval process.
- Clarification and analysis: Thoroughly review and clarify customer-provided packaging specifications, drawings, and standards to ensure full compliance and avoid misinterpretations.
- Damage prevention: Analyze potential risks for damage during transit and handling. Develop and test solutions that ensure parts are handled safely and arrive at the customer's facility without defects.
- Material and cost optimization: Evaluate packaging materials and designs to minimize material usage, optimize costs, and improve manufacturing and labor efficiencies. Lead initiatives to convert expendable packaging to more cost-effective and sustainable returnable solutions.
- Validation and testing: Create and execute packaging test plans, including drop, vibration, and climate testing, to validate design performance against industry and customer standards (e.g., ISTA, ASTM).
- Supplier collaboration: Work with external packaging suppliers to ensure designs meet quality standards and manufacturing specifications. Participate in selecting and managing packaging vendors.
- Coordinate with Purchasing: Facilitate quoting and Purchase Order release to suppliers. Fill out and submit Packaging Proposals. Fill out RFQ for Packaging.
- Documentation and data management: Create and maintain detailed packaging specifications, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and engineering drawings. Manage all packaging-related documentation within the ERP system (Epicor). Track Timing to ensure documentation is submitted as required and Packaging is in place when it is needed.
- Continuous improvement: Identify and drive opportunities for continuous improvement in packaging processes, quality, and cost, addressing any quality issues related to packaging.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience: 5 – 10 years of experience in packaging design, preferably within the automotive or manufacturing industry, with specific experience in dunnage design.
- Technical skills: Proficiency in CAD software: NX or CATIA.
- Communication skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
- Problem-solving: Proven problem-solving and analytical abilities, with high attention to detail.
- Industry knowledge: Familiarity with automotive manufacturing processes, industry standards (e.g., IATF 16949), and packaging regulations is highly desirable.
- Project management: Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.
