Job Description

The Project Engineer position is a position at GPI’s Foodservice Technical Center with responsibilities for designing and developing innovative foodservice packaging. The candidate will work with internal and external resources to conceive, develop, and drive the launch of new packaging products that provide a balanced blend of form and function that exceed customer expectations. The candidate will focus primarily on plastic foodservice product design while also developing skills and supporting new fiber-based packaging. The candidate will work with other innovation resources to lead and support prototyping capabilities and activities. The position is part of a world class talented engineering & technical team in the Foodservice Technical Center and will report to the Senior Manager, Research & Development.

JOB FUNCTIONS: Job functions include but are not limited to the following .

• Design and develop new, functionally innovative, and visually appealing plastic food packaging products.
• Drive improvement in existing product designs to meet customer needs, improve manufacturability, or reduce material usage.
• Support design and development of new fiber-based products.
• Develop subject matter expertise in foodservice-focused plastic and fiber converting process and materials.
• Work directly with internal and external customers throughout the development process.
• Lead and support product prototyping utilizing both internal and external capabilities.
• Develop and manage relationships with tooling and material vendors to support design and prototyping efforts.
• Lead and support analytical testing of new and existing foodservice packaging.
• Create technical drawings and maintain documentation within a PDM environment.
• Facilitate, encourage, promote, and engage in teamwork activities.
• Other duties as assigned.  

BACKGROUND / EXPERIENCE:

• 3 years of experience in plastic packaging part or tooling design. Experience with plastic food packaging is a plus.
• Must have extensive practical CAD design experience modeling complex surfaces. Experience with SolidWorks is strongly preferred.
• Experience designing plastic parts made with a thermoforming process is strongly preferred.
• Experience designing components for and operating of equipment for both additive and subtractive manufacturing. 

EDUCATION / KNOWLEDGE:

• BS degree in Mechanical Engineering or 10 years of directly relevant experience is required.
• Fundamental knowledge of common plastics converting processes such as extrusion, thermoforming, injection molding, and blow molding. 

SKILLS:

• Must have demonstratable CAD design skills. Experience with SolidWorks is strongly preferred.
• Must have a demonstrated ability to blend functional product design with an appealing form.
• Must have demonstrated oral and written communication skills, and the ability to drive multiple concurrent assignments to completion.
• Must have the ability to be self-directed and manage priorities.  

SCHEDULE DEMANDS:

• General schedule is an 8-hour M-F assignment, however, employee must be willing to work alternate schedules in some situations which may include extended hours, early mornings, nights, and/or weekends.
• Position may require up to 20% travel.
• Occasional overnight travel to include flying, driving, riding or by rail.
• Occasional ability to work remotely.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time up to 8-hours.
• Occasional Lifting up to 40 lbs.
• Reading computer screen or other electronic devices.
• Use of various office hand and electrical tools or equipment.
• Work in areas of fluctuating temperature.

  KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Integrity & Trust
• Action Oriented
• Drive for Results
• Problem Solving
• Technical Learning

Required Skills

• • Must have demonstratable CAD design skills. Experience with SolidWorks is strongly preferred.
  • Must have a demonstrated ability to blend functional product design with an appealing form.
  • Must have demonstrated oral and written communication skills, and the ability to drive multiple concurrent assignments to completion.
  • Must have the ability to be self-directed and manage priorities.  

Required Experience

• • BS degree in Mechanical Engineering or 10 years of directly relevant experience is required.
  • Fundamental knowledge of common plastics converting processes such as extrusion, thermoforming, injection molding, and blow molding. 

At Graphic Packaging International (NYSE: GPK), we produce the box you may have poured your child's cereal from this morning, the microwaveable tray that heated your lunch, the paper cup that held your coffee throughout the day, and the carrier of those bottles of craft beer you may enjoy tonight! We're one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world's most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet care products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are a team of collaborative, innovative, passionate individuals who are committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. 

With almost 18,000 employees working in more than 70 locations in North and South America, Europe and the Pacific Rim, we strive to be an environmentally responsible leader in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry's best to reward the talented people who make our company successful. 


If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we'd love to hear from you. Learn more about us at


Inspired Packaging. A World of Difference. 

Graphic Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decision on an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, age, gender or sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, genetic information, disability, veteran/military status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.  Click here to view the EEO is the Law Poster

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