Corrugated Packaging Designer

Summary:

This position is responsible for creating, developing, and refining corrugated packaging designs that meet customer requirements, manufacturing capabilities, and industry standards. This role works closely with sales, production, and customer service to produce accurate structural layouts, samples, and specifications.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Design & Drafting

Design corrugated packaging for all in house manufactured items.
Create 2D structural drawings using ArtiosCAD based on customer requirements and manufacturing limitations.
Modify existing designs to improve performance, cost efficiency, or manufacturability.
Develop samples for customer approval.
Collaborate with tooling vendors, customers, and graphic designer to coordinate artwork for printing plates.
Material & Specification Expertise
Apply knowledge of corrugated materials (ECT, Mullen grades, fluting, board combinations) to ensure structural integrity and cost effectiveness.
Determine correct board grade based on product protection, shipping requirements, and stacking strength.
Prepare manufacturing specs for production.
Production & Tooling Support
Work closely with the design, tooling, and production teams to ensure all designs are manufacturable on company equipment (flexos, die cutter, gluer).
Assist with troubleshooting design or fit issues during production.
Manage Tooling Inventory
Track locations of active and back up tooling
Purge dies as needed
Manage tooling repairs by communicating any issues to our tooling vendors and coordinating pick ups and returns
Inspect incoming new and repaired tooling to ensure they are undamaged and meet our production needs
Obtain all associated tooling costs
Quantify the amount of rule for each cutting die based on the design to estimate a cost during quoting phase
Customer & Sales Collaboration
Work with sales reps to understand customer needs and translate them into practical packaging solutions.
Provide design input during customer visits, presentations, or technical reviews.
Develop samples or prototypes for customer demonstrations.
Utilize TOPs program to provide requested information to customers
Documentation & Quality
Maintain organized records of all design files, revisions, print plates, and board specifications.
Ensure all designs meet customer, industry, and internal quality standards.
Follow revision control and change management procedures.
Required Skills
Experience designing corrugated packaging (RSC, FOL, die cuts, displays, inserts).
Proficiency with CAD software such as ArtiosCAD, AutoCAD, or equivalent.
Strong understanding of corrugated materials, flutes, board grades, stack strength, and packaging performance.
Ability to read and create technical drawings and manufacturing blueprints.
Strong math and spatial reasoning skills.
Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects.
Customer service mindset
Preferred
Experience with digital cutting tables (Kongsberg)
Knowledge of flexographic printing processes
Familiarity with TOPS or packaging performance standards.
Graphic design knowledge (Adobe Illustrator) a plus.

Education & Experience

Associate degree in Packaging, Engineering, Industrial Design, CAD Drafting, or relevant field (or equivalent experience).
2+ years of experience in corrugated packaging or a related manufacturing environment preferred.

Working Conditions
Office/design lab environment with periodic visits to plant floor.
Use of cutting tools, plotters, sample tables, and measuring equipment.
May require occasional customer site visits.