Packaging Engineer | Traverse City, MI

Salary Range: $69,000 - $108,000 depending on experience

Are you a dedicated professional with a passion for excelling in packaging engineer? The Pivot Group is committed to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career growth. We partner with leading manufacturing companies in Traverse City, seeking experienced Packaging Engineers to strengthen their teams.

The Opportunity

We partner with manufacturers across Traverse City seeking Packaging Engineers who want more than a lateral move. These companies hire intentionally, and we connect them with professionals ready for roles that fit.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test new packaging solutions for manufactured products.
• Select and qualify appropriate packaging materials and components, ensuring cost-effectiveness and performance.
• Optimize existing packaging for cost reduction, improved line efficiency, and sustainability initiatives.
• Develop and maintain detailed packaging specifications, test methods, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, marketing, and supply chain teams on new product introductions and packaging improvements.
• Troubleshoot packaging-related issues on production lines and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage packaging projects from concept through implementation, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.

Recommended Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 2+ years of experience in packaging development and engineering within a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) for packaging design and specification.
• Strong knowledge of various packaging materials, testing methodologies, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated experience in packaging optimization for cost, efficiency, and sustainability.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with sustainable packaging materials, design, and lifecycle assessment (LCA).
• Proficiency in packaging-specific design and optimization software (e.g., CAPE, TOPS, ArtiosCAD).
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., IoPP Certified Packaging Professional, ISTA Certified Packaging Lab Professional).
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience with packaging for highly regulated industries (e.g., medical devices, pharmaceuticals, food safety).

Job Titles That Should Apply

Packaging Engineer, Senior Packaging Engineer, Packaging Development Engineer, Packaging Design Engineer, Packaging Specialist, Structural Packaging Engineer, Packaging R&D Engineer, Packaging Solutions Engineer

Why Pivot Group

The Pivot Group was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out. The Pivot Group offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.