Principal Engineer, R&D - Packaging Materials & Performance

Location: Glenview R&D Center, Illinois, United States of America

Department: Packaging Development

Work Location: hybrid

• Lead packaging performance requirements. Define enterprise requirements for packaging materials, package systems, and packaging technologies across the portfolio.
• Serve as a technical authority. Provide expertise in barrier properties, mechanical performance, seal integrity, distribution durability, compatibility, machinability, sustainability performance, and consumer use.
• Translate needs into measurable criteria. Convert product, consumer, operational, supply chain, sustainability, regulatory, and business needs into clear performance targets and technical acceptance requirements.
• Guide material and design decisions. Establish performance targets that inform package development, material selection, supplier engagement, and commercialization choices.
• Define and execute validation. Establish testing methods, validation strategies, and acceptance criteria required to demonstrate package performance. Design and oversee packaging validation activities including laboratory testing, pilot plant evaluations, manufacturing trials, distribution testing, and commercial production startup support.
• Manage technical risk. Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to packaging materials, structures, manufacturing processes, and package performance.
• Enable commercialization. Build performance verification plans that support concept development, proof of concept, scale-up, launch, and ongoing product support.
• Solve complex performance problems. Use scientific and engineering principles, experimental design, and data analysis to investigate failures, close performance gaps, and reduce commercialization risk.
• Build organizational capability. Develop tools, training, and coaching that strengthen performance-based packaging development and technical requirement definition.
• Build technical capability. Coach and mentor team members in packaging materials, package performance, validation methodologies, commercialization, and technical problem solving. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to cross-functional packaging teams and project stakeholders.
• Measure effectiveness. Track outcomes such as commercialization success, reduced rework, improved launch readiness, fewer late-stage changes, and stronger package performance.
• Maintain requirement governance. Ensure performance requirements are measurable, technically justified, current, approved, and communicated through effective documentation and change-control practices.

• Enterprise packaging performance standards and requirements.
• Material and package-system performance criteria for major packaging platforms.
• Validation strategies, testing methodologies, and technical acceptance criteria.
• Project-ready performance requirements that support innovation, productivity, quality, sustainability, and commercialization objectives.
• Technical risk assessments and mitigation plans for packaging systems and material technologies.
• Governed performance-requirement documentation that enables clear communication, supplier alignment, and consistent execution.
• Training materials, tools, and resources that strengthen packaging development practices across the organization.

• BS/MS/PhD degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering preferred, or related discipline.
• 6+ years of experience in packaging R&D, packaging development, materials engineering, commercialization, or related technical leadership roles (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred).
• Packaging-system understanding. Deep understanding of packaging material functionality, package-system interactions, manufacturing processes, and the impact of packaging decisions on product quality, consumer experience, operational performance, and sustainability outcomes. Proven experience establishing technical requirements, performance targets, validation methods, and acceptance criteria for packaging systems. Strong knowledge of packaging manufacturing and converting processes and their effect on package performance and commercialization. Familiarity with sustainable packaging technologies, circularity initiatives, regulatory requirements, and evolving packaging legislation.
• Commercialization leadership. Strong experience leading packaging development programs from concept through commercialization. Demonstrated ability to translate consumer, business, manufacturing, supply chain, and product needs into measurable technical requirements.
• Experimental design and analysis. Strong understanding of package testing methodologies, Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, data interpretation, and structured technical problem solving.
• Learning agility. Strong learning agility and ability to make sound technical decisions in ambiguous, dynamic, and fast-paced environments.
• Influence and stakeholder leadership. Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, build alignment across a complex network of partners, and lead technical decisions within a matrixed organization.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

• Regular office work
• Physical presence at labs and manufacturing sites (internal and external) to perform experimental and validation testing

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability