Packaging Engineer

Job Title: Packaging EngineerJob Description

This role focuses on end-to-end ownership of paper-based, consumer-facing packaging across the full product lifecycle. The Packaging Engineer will design structural packaging, develop and validate solutions, test performance, and support production while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams in a recognizable consumer-product environment. The position offers the opportunity to work with advanced packaging CAD tools, lead performance and distribution testing, and quickly make a meaningful impact on the packaging function.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop structural paper-based packaging solutions, including paperboard and corrugated formats, for consumer-facing and retail products.
• Create and refine packaging concepts, dielines, and structural layouts using packaging CAD tools such as ArtiosCAD and SolidWorks.
• Own packaging activities across the full product lifecycle, from concept and development through validation, production support, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct packaging performance testing, including distribution and transit testing, following ISTA and ASTM standards and other relevant packaging testing protocols.
• Analyze test results and performance data to optimize packaging designs for durability, protection, cost-effectiveness, and customer experience.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Marketing, Product Development, Purchasing, and external suppliers to align packaging solutions with product, branding, and business requirements.
• Develop and maintain packaging documentation, including drawings, specifications, and bills of material within product lifecycle management systems.
• Support validation and qualification of new packaging designs, ensuring they meet functional, regulatory, and quality requirements.
• Provide production support for packaging, helping troubleshoot issues, refine designs, and ensure manufacturability and consistency.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and project reviews, clearly communicating packaging concepts, constraints, and recommendations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in packaging design, testing methods, and documentation processes.
• Manage multiple packaging projects concurrently, meeting deadlines and maintaining alignment with the working hours of the Mountain Time team when working remotely.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 4+ years of packaging engineering or packaging project experience.
• Bachelors degree in Packaging or Engineering is required; Mechanical Engineering degrees are acceptable with relevant packaging experience.
• Demonstrated experience in paper-based packaging, including paperboard, corrugated, and structural paper-based packaging.
• Hands-on experience with consumer-facing or retail packaging, ideally in consumer goods, consumer electronics, or similar environments.
• Proficiency in packaging CAD and structural design tools, with a strong preference for ArtiosCAD.
• Ability to create and interpret dielines and structural packaging drawings for production and testing.
• Experience using SolidWorks for structural packaging design, or equivalent CAD tools, when ArtiosCAD experience is limited.
• Proven experience in packaging performance testing, including distribution and transit testing.
• Familiarity with ISTA standards and ASTM methods as they relate to packaging and performance testing.
• Strong capability to analyze test results and translate findings into design improvements and validation decisions.
• Packaging engineering and CAD experience combined, with the ability to move seamlessly between design, testing, and production support activities.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in consumer goods, consumer electronics, retail packaging, or other consumer-facing structural packaging environments is highly preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with Agile PLM or similar product lifecycle management systems for managing bills of material is beneficial.
• Ability to learn and build packaging bills of material within PLM systems, with training available as needed.
• Comfort working across disciplines and collaborating with Engineering, Marketing, Product Development, Purchasing, and suppliers.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail in both design and testing contexts.
• Ability to take ownership of packaging projects and quickly assume meaningful responsibility within the team.
• Effective communication skills to present packaging concepts, testing results, and recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Adaptability to work in a hybrid or fully remote setting while maintaining alignment with team schedules and project timelines.

Work Environment

The role operates within a recognizable consumer-product environment that values collaboration and cross-functional interaction. Team members work closely with Engineering, Marketing, Product Development, Purchasing, and external suppliers, creating a dynamic setting that spans structural design, testing, development, validation, and production support. The position was originally structured as a hybrid role in Colorado with approximately two to three days onsite per week, but fully remote arrangements are now considered due to candidate availability and successful remote precedents on the team. Remote employees are expected to maintain working availability that generally aligns with Mountain Time business hours. Travel requirements are very light and minimal. The team uses packaging CAD tools such as ArtiosCAD and SolidWorks and manages bills of material in Agile PLM, with training available for building packaging BOMs within the system. The environment emphasizes ownership, impact, and the opportunity to work across the full packaging lifecycle rather than being limited to a narrow portion of the process.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fort Collins, CO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $48.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fort Collins, CO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 19, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.