Automotive Packaging Engineer - Metal

General Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Automotive Packaging Engineer to design and develop innovative packaging products and solutions for the automotive industry, within UFP Packaging’s Metal Fabricated Solutions business unit. The role will primarily be focused on returnable packaging and rack design, using materials such as steel tubing and other structural shapes, foam, plastics, and other dunnage materials. A strong background in automotive packaging, including expertise in material handling racks, returnable packaging systems, and dunnage design, is preferred. The role requires the ability to work independently, manage complex projects, and deliver high-quality solutions that align with customer needs and manufacturing operations.  

Works under general direction of the Packaging Design Manager; who exercises discretion and judgment on work priority and training on a regular basis; a wide degree of creativity is expected.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop strong working relationships with customers, vendors and co-workers using proven communication skills

• Responsible to manage and execute new product development processes, based on customer needs, design structural packaging basics, utilizing SolidWorks and other CAD programs suitable for the purpose intended. 

• Create packaging designs consistent with Automotive Industry standards, while continuing to drive innovation through development of alternative material usage and designs. Routinely offers alternative designs of existing packaging or alternate material solutions.

• Develop and maintain vendor relationships for packaging materials used in designs

• Develops weldment and assembly drawings and specifications that meet customer requirements and ensure accurate production. These specifications are used in the manufacturing of our products.

• Develops and maintains bills of materials and product costing using strong working knowledge of materials and production processes. Utilize design and production practices to optimize product cost to drive sales and margin growth.

• Drive efficiency in product manufacturing through design methods and assist production team in efficiency initiatives where applicable

• Utilizes solid modeling and FEA or other computational analysis processes to develop, analyze, and optimize product designs. Understands and communicates these results with our customers and sales team.

• Responsible for corrective action as required per ECO, DCR and plant production needs.

• Prepares various reports as required.

• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Packaging Engineering, other related field of study, or equivalent work experience is required.

• Strong working knowledge and 3-5+ years of experience in automotive packaging design and engineering, returnable packaging design, and dunnage design is strongly preferred.

• Experience in packaging distribution environment with major manufactures.

• Experience in intermodal transportation requirements.

• Experience in ISTA packaging testing, to design efficient packaging based on test.

• Experience in designing packaging for production workflow and ergonomics.

• Strong working knowledge of metal types, grades, shapes, and properties, common dunnage materials, and the ability to select optimal materials for the intended usage when designing products.

• Working knowledge of fabrication and welding, and ability to determine and specify welds to use on various products (weldment drawings), optimized for the purpose intended

• Experience presenting to customers, ability to describe benefits and features of solutions.

• Experience in asking probing design criteria questions to understand needs and pain points.

• Experience in lifecycle management of products, for preservation and storage requirements.

• Ability to understand customer comments and needs and pivot if our design is not in alignment.

• Proficiency in the use of MS Office Suites

• Proficiency in solid modeling software (Inventor/Solidworks/other) and FEA is required.

• Preferred experience in an automotive packaging design firm or manufacturing environment

• Advanced packaging certifications based on individual role and needs.

• Ability to be mobile in the work environment, travel as required.

Conduct

• Self-starting and the ability to operate with limited supervision

• Highly motivated and enthusiastic

• Good interpersonal skills; a good listener and communicator

• Process oriented

• Eagerness to learn

• Be a team player and support the Company’s goals

• Ability to pass a drug test

Working Conditions

Requires standing and walking for at least 50% of the time; talking, hearing and seeing are essential duties of the job; sitting at a desk for long periods of time are also required. Some traveling is required.

Disclaimer Statement

This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.