Food Packaging Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

PLZ is committed to product stewardship and innovation, strong ethical standards, sustainable operations and most importantly, the development of our people. Whether at our manufacturing facilities or corporate headquarters, PLZ prioritizes health and safety, and offers you the support you need to create the career you want, through engagement, equity and inclusion, and opportunity.

From household cleaning solutions to personal care products, and food to automotive lubricants, PLZ produces more than 2,500 different aerosol and liquid products in our facilities across the continent. We know that being the partner of choice for our clients starts with being the partner of choice for our employees. Learn more at www.plzcorp.com/careers or visit https://youtu.be/XYNIFpLQIJY

PLZ is hiring a Packaging Engineer to support the Personal Care Strategic Business Unit. The Packaging Engineer designs, tests, and implements packaging designs that emphasize sustainability and are an integral part of the organization’s Product Development process. They also review and improve existing packaging designs to ensure safe and efficient product storage and transportation as well as to continuously improve sustainability and product quality and cost.

 Key Responsibility:

• Lead R&D-driven packaging development for new and reformulated products, with a primary focus on component selection, compatibility, and performance for aerosol and liquid delivery systems.
• Source, evaluate, and qualify primary packaging components (e.g., valves, actuators, containers, pumps, caps) to ensure compatibility with formulations, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
• Design and develop secondary packaging solutions (e.g., cartons, labeling, shipper configurations) to support product protection, branding, and supply chain efficiency.
• Conduct package/formula compatibility assessments, including pressure, leakage, corrosion, and performance testing for aerosol systems and dispensing functionality for liquid products.
• Partner closely with R&D to match packaging systems to formulation rheology, chemistry, and delivery requirements, ensuring optimal product performance and consumer experience.
• Drive technical troubleshooting and root cause analysis related to packaging performance issues (e.g., spray quality, clogging, leakage, component interaction), delivering timely, data-driven solutions.
• Establish and maintain technical packaging specifications, including component drawings, performance standards, and test methods.
• Build and manage relationships with packaging suppliers, leading component sourcing, qualification, and ongoing performance evaluation.
• Support innovation and cost optimization initiatives through alternative component sourcing, material selection, and packaging design improvements without compromising performance or quality.
• Champion sustainable packaging solutions, including material reduction, recyclability, and responsible sourcing aligned with company and customer goals.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, procurement, engineering, operations, and commercial teams to transition packaging concepts from lab to scale-up and commercialization.
• Participate in new product development teams, contributing packaging expertise from concept through commercialization.
• Develop and utilize test methods, validation protocols, and performance metrics to ensure packaging systems meet functional, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Ensure packaging designs are scalable and manufacturable, supporting efficient filling line performance and minimizing production risk.
• Effectively manage multiple development projects in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.

 Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in packaging engineering is required.
• 5+ years of experience in designing packaging for consumer-packaged goods that deliver via all modes of transportation (small parcel, LTL, TL)
• Technical knowledge of various end user packaging designs for liquids and/or aerosols (cartons, containers, closures, etc.) and associated packaging materials (corrugate, aluminum, HDPE, PET, etc.)
• Demonstrated success in process and quality improvements via packaging design modifications
• Working knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint & SAP
• Effective communication skills to influence, problem solve, and make decisions in a cross-functional organization.
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 25%.

Compensation:

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $70,000/year in our lowest geographic market up to $110,000/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

PLZ Corp offers a robust suite of benefits including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision benefits.
• Company paid Life and Short-Term disability.
• Voluntary benefits including additional life, disability, and hospital/accident insurance.
• 401k & company provided match.
• Paid Time Off
• Bonus incentive programs (Note, bonuses are subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.)

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or other protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.