Product Development Engineer - Flexible Packaging, adhesive & extrusion lamination

I'm recruiting for Product Development Engineer for a global manufacturer of specialty packaging and sealing technologies that has been in business for more than 100 years.

I've worked with this company for over 20 years and know its leadership team well.

The company is expanding its global product development capabilities and has plans to establish a new R&D laboratory and potentially a pilot facility in the Chicago area over the next few years.

They're looking for an engineer with experience in flexible packaging, particularly adhesive lamination or extrusion lamination, who enjoys developing new products and working directly with manufacturing operations.

This is a hands-on engineering position, not a people-management role. You'll be responsible for taking new products from concept through manufacturing trials and commercialization while collaborating with engineering and manufacturing teams globally.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead new product development projects from concept through testing, validation, and commercialization.
• Develop and improve multilayer packaging structures involving plastic films, foil, paper, adhesives, and coatings.
• Conduct manufacturing trials and troubleshoot material, equipment, and process issues.
• Work with manufacturing teams to establish process parameters and successfully introduce new products into production.
• Evaluate new materials, technologies, and manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and other technical teams across multiple locations.
• Contribute to the company's expanding product development and R&D capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in product development, R&D, process engineering, or a related engineering position.
• Hands-on experience with adhesive lamination or extrusion lamination processes.
• Experience working with manufacturing equipment, conducting trials, and troubleshooting technical or process issues.
• Experience developing or improving products and supporting their introduction into commercial manufacturing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in flexible packaging manufacturing or converting.
• Experience with multilayer packaging structures involving plastic films, aluminum foil, paper, adhesives, or coatings.
• Knowledge of solvent-based, solventless, or extrusion lamination technologies.
• Experience with extrusion coating, film converting, or related manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with cross-functional or international engineering teams.
• Experience with laboratory testing, pilot equipment, or establishing new product development capabilities.

Experience with caps, closures, or induction sealing is a plus but not required.

Why Consider This Position?

This is an opportunity to join an established global manufacturer that's investing in new product development and technology.

You'll have the opportunity to work on new materials and products, collaborate with technical teams around the world, and potentially contribute to the development of a new R&D laboratory and pilot facility.

The company needs someone who understands both the science behind packaging materials and the practical challenges of manufacturing them.

If you enjoy solving technical problems, working with manufacturing equipment, and developing products that make it into commercial production, this could be an interesting opportunity.

Interested?

If you have experience with adhesive lamination, extrusion lamination, or flexible packaging product development, I'd welcome a conversation.