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Food Packaging Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Packaging Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$84 - $109/hr

... and food safety on all product lines.* Act as the main point of contact and spokesperson for ... S. Degree in Packaging Engineering or equivalent* 2-5 years experience in consumer products or ...

Packaging Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$84 - $109/hr

The Packaging Engineer leads the distribution testing of packaged products to ensure product ... and food safety on all product lines. Act as the main point of contact and spokesperson for ...

Packaging Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$83K - $108K/yr

The Packaging Engineer leads the distribution testing of packaged products to ensure product ... and food safety on all product lines. * Act as the main point of contact and spokesperson for ...

Packaging Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$83K - $108K/yr

The Packaging Engineer leads the distribution testing of packaged products to ensure product ... and food safety on all product lines. * Act as the main point of contact and spokesperson for ...

From household cleaning solutions to personal care products, and food to automotive lubricants, PLZ ... The Packaging Engineer designs, tests, and implements packaging designs that emphasize ...

... food category. This role has critical responsibility to work very closely with multi-functional ... Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or a related Engineering degree. 5+ years of experience ...

Senior Packaging Engineer

Visalia, CA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or a related Engineering degree * 5+ years of experience in consumer goods packaging, preferably food or beverage, within an end-user or vendor * Advanced ...

Packaging Engineer II

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$85K - $103K/yr

Engineering Excellence: Engineer superior primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions ... Experience: 2-4 years of CPG packaging development (diapers, personal care, or food experience ...

Packaging Engineer II

Vista, CA · On-site

$85K - $103K/yr

Engineering Excellence: Engineer superior primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions ... Experience: 2-4 years of CPG packaging development (diapers, personal care, or food experience ...

Destiny Packaging, a Bunzl company, is seeking a Flexible Packaging Engineer to act as a technical ... Bunzl North America is a global leader in the Cleaning & Hygiene, Food Processing, Grocery, Health ...

Destiny Packaging, a Bunzl company, is seeking a Flexible Packaging Engineer to act as a technical ... Bunzl North America is a global leader in the Cleaning & Hygiene, Food Processing, Grocery, Health ...

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Showing results 1-20

Food Packaging Engineer information

See California salary details

$19

$41

$66

How much do food packaging engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for food packaging engineer in California is $41.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.26 and $48.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food packaging engineer?

A Food Packaging Engineer designs and develops packaging solutions to ensure food products remain safe, fresh, and cost-effective throughout storage and transportation. They work with materials, sustainability, and compliance regulations to optimize packaging for efficiency and environmental impact. Their role involves testing, innovation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to enhance product protection and consumer experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food packaging engineer?

To thrive as a Food Packaging Engineer, you need a solid background in packaging design, materials science, and food safety regulations, typically supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, packaging testing equipment, and relevant industry certifications (such as Six Sigma or HACCP) is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and effective communication are essential for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and innovating solutions. These abilities ensure the development of safe, efficient, and sustainable packaging that meets both regulatory standards and consumer expectations.

What are the typical challenges faced by food packaging engineers in their daily work?

Food Packaging Engineers often navigate challenges such as selecting materials that balance cost, sustainability, and product protection, while also complying with food safety regulations. They may need to troubleshoot and optimize packaging methods to enhance shelf life, reduce waste, and support large-scale production. Collaboration with teams in production, quality assurance, and marketing is frequent, requiring strong communication to align technical solutions with business goals. Adaptability and continuous learning are important, as industry demands and regulatory standards can change rapidly, offering opportunities for professional growth and innovation.

What job categories do people searching Food Packaging Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Packaging Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Food Packaging Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Food Packaging Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Packaging Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,966 per year, or $41.8 per hour.

Packaging Engineer

Ghirardelli Chocolate

San Leandro, CA • On-site

$84 - $109/hr

Other

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

WHO WE AREAt Ghirardelli, we honor tradition and drive innovation, aiming to be the top choice for premium chocolate. Our commitment to Making Life A Bite Better inspires both our products and the way we do business. We support personal and professional growth, recognizing that each employee’s contribution directly impacts Ghirardelli’s growth and success. Join our dynamic team and help shape Ghirardelli's future.Job SummaryThe primary focus of the Packaging Engineer at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is to design and develop packaging solutions for new and existing products. This position is responsible for working cross-functionally to commercialize packaging designs for retail, foodservice and inter-company products. This role also works to improve designs and efficiency on existing items both structurally and in production on the plant floor. The Packaging Engineer leads the distribution testing of packaged products to ensure product integrity through the distribution cycle.The work environment is focused on cross functional collaboration with Marketing, Purchasing, Operations, QA, R&D, Consumer Affairs, Regulatory, Project Management, and Sales. This position, by ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures, is responsible for recommending, developing and implementing packaging quality and food safety on all product lines.Act as the main point of contact and spokesperson for packaging across multiple brands.Design, develop, and commercialize new packages, line extensions and package improvements.Provide technical leadership in developing packages to create new business opportunities, enhance quality and/or drive down costs.Identify and implement productivity projects that include package redesign, component consolidation, and production line efficiencies.Conduct packaging line trials, distribution testing, and package performance testing for new and existing products.Active partner and contributor on cross-functional teams (which include teams such as Marketing, Procurement, Creative Services).Work with Plant Operations, Suppliers and Co-packers to ensure packaging components are of high quality and can easily run on packaging lines to be efficiently produced.Develop and maintain packaging specifications, pallet configurations, and packaging procedures.Maintain accurate, up-to-date records and databases.Oversee packaging design, development and efficiency improvements at co-packing and co-manufacturing locations throughout Northern California.B.S. Degree in Packaging Engineering or equivalent2-5 years experience in consumer products or related industry – food-related packaging development is preferredOccasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 poundsRequired to regularly sitMust be able to work seated or standing for at least 8 hoursMust be able to concentrate for extended periods of time paying close attention to detailMust be able to travel up to 25% of the timeWorks in a regular office environmentSalary Range $83,800 - $108,929 #J-18808-Ljbffr