R&D Packaging Engineer

Responsibilities:

Structural Packaging Design & Development

• Develop new structural packaging designs and improve existing designs for corrugated cartons, EPE foam, wooden crates, and pallet systems.

• Translate customer concepts and requirements into functional designs that meet protection, aesthetic, and logistics needs.

• Use CAD and 3D modelling to support design-to-validation cycles and rapid prototyping.

• Prepare structural drawings, mock-ups, and prototypes for customer evaluation and approval.

Material Knowledge & Application

• Apply working knowledge of packaging materials: corrugated board, foam cushioning (EPE, PU, PS), moulded pulp, plastic, and paper-based solutions.

• Recommend material usage that balances cost, performance, and sustainability.

• Evaluate new materials and packaging concepts that align with customer needs and industry trends.

Packaging Testing & Validation

• Conduct ISTA, ASTM, and other standard tests — including drop, vibration, compression, and transit tests — in coordination with the in-house certified packaging testing lab.

• Document and analyse test results, recommend improvements, and validate final packaging performance and compliance.

Customer & Project Support

• Work with customers’ engineering teams to gather requirements, propose designs, and present packaging solutions.

• Support project timelines and deliverables to ensure on-time execution aligned with customer milestones.

• Maintain responsiveness and design agility in a fast-paced production environment.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work with production teams to ensure packaging designs are practical and machine-compatible for manufacturing.

• Optimise packaging for container loading, assembly speed, and operational efficiency.

• Provide input into packaging line automation or integration projects where applicable.

Continuous Improvement

• Support the improvement of design processes, documentation standards, and project workflows.

• Contribute to brainstorming sessions and design reviews to support an innovation-driven culture.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field.

• 1–3 years of experience in packaging design, packaging engineering, or product development, preferably in the E&E or manufacturing sectors.

• Knowledge of corrugated packaging, foam cushioning, and wooden packaging systems.

• Working command of CAD and packaging design software.

• Understanding of packaging testing methods and product-protection principles.

• Bonus: familiarity with packaging automation equipment (e.g. case erectors, tapers, pick-and-place systems).

• Strong problem-solving, communication, and customer-engagement skills.

• Fluent in English; additional languages an advantage.