So Good So You

R&D Packaging Engineer

So Good So You

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Minneapolis • Minnesota • United States

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Salary

💰 $90,000 - $120,000 per year

About the role

  • Lead end-to-end packaging development across new and existing formats, from concept and material selection through validation, line trials, and commercialization.
  • Design packaging solutions that perform across both automated and manual packing environments, balancing sustainability, usability, throughput, and cost.
  • Collaborate with Marketing on packaging format, branding elements, and consumer experience to ensure product and packaging alignment with market strategy.
  • Develop and maintain packaging specifications that meet customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and internal quality standards.
  • Support plant trials, capital projects, and on-the-floor troubleshooting in close collaboration with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and QA.
  • Conduct functional testing and material qualification to ensure packaging performance, manufacturability, and supply continuity.
  • Drive cost-savings and optimization initiatives across packaging materials, formats, and suppliers while managing multiple vendor relationships.
  • Manage technical timelines, proactively identifying risks, trade-offs, and dependencies to keep projects on track in a fast-moving environment.
  • Champion sustainability at every stage of packaging and system design, embedding So Good So You’s zero-waste and renewable energy commitments into practical, scalable solutions.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in packaging engineering / R&D with hands-on involvement in development, testing and commercialization.
  • Demonstrated experience across multiple packaging formats and materials, including:
  • - Beverage bottle packaging / technology
  • - Flexible and paper-based packaging
  • - Primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging systems
  • Strong understanding of packaging development processes, including material selection, validation, line trials, and launch.
  • Experience designing packaging solutions compatible with both automated and manual packing environments.
  • Proven ability to create and maintain technical documentation, including packaging specifications, drawings, and test protocols.
  • Working knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and FDA regulatory requirements within food and beverage manufacturing.
  • Working proficiency with CAD and packaging design tools.
  • Willingness to travel up to 20%, including on-site support in Inver Grove Heights, MN, as needed.
  • Preferred:
  • - Experience with PET Bottles
  • - Experience with aluminum can packaging
  • - Working knowledge of manufacturing packaging equipment
  • - Experience with eco-friendly, recyclable, or compostable packaging solutions.
  • - Experience leading new packaging line start-ups, extensions, and equipment upgrades
  • - Spanish language proficiency—ability to communicate with Spanish-speaking team members is a strong plus.
Benefits
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401k
  • Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
  • Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance and AD&D, Primary and Secondary Caregiver Leave
  • Hired candidates may be eligible to receive additional compensation in the form of annual bonus
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
packaging engineeringpackaging developmentmaterial selectionvalidationline trialspackaging specificationsfunctional testingmaterial qualificationpackaging designtechnical documentation
Soft Skills
collaborationproject managementrisk identificationproblem-solvingcommunication