Packaging Design Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

1. Design & Engineering
   1. Generate creative, protective packaging solutions using corrugated structures (dividers, reinforced exteriors, custom boxes), foam inserts, hybrid materials, and specialty materials for both inside and outside components.
   2. Produce detailed CAD designs, technical drawings, and specifications for custom packaging (interiors & exteriors); create and maintain associated ERP records including part numbers, bills of materials, and production time standards. All records must be established at project initiation and kept current and accurate as designs evolve.
   3. Specify and integrate graphics, labeling, or brand elements where required.
   4. Evaluate designs for manufacturability and cost feasibility prior to prototyping or customer presentation, ensuring proposed solutions can be produced within market-bearing price ranges.
2. Materials & Performance Evaluation
   1. Select materials (corrugated board types, foam varieties, adhesives, coatings, etc.) that balance protection, cost, weight, sustainability, and aesthetics.
   2. Conduct or oversee testing (drop, vibration, compression, environmental, static/anti-static where needed) to validate that designs meet customer/productivity/delivery requirements.
3. Prototyping & Validation
   1. Work with in-house equipment to create prototypes.
   2. Utilize vendor expertise and capacity to support and enhance design prototypes.
   3. Evaluate prototypes, identify failure modes, iterate designs.
4. Cost & Efficiency Optimization
   1. Analyze cost drivers in designs (material usage, manufacturing complexity, shipping weight/size).
   2. Propose structure or process improvements to reduce waste, improve strength, reduce cost, or improve sustainability.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration
   1. Partner with Sales/Customer to understand customer constraints: product fragility, distribution modes, environmental exposure, brand presentation, volume/hurdle requirements.
   2. Coordinate with production to ensure manufacturability, lead times, quality and smooth handoff.
   3. Participate in packaging assessments and customer packaging audits.
6. Sustainability & Compliance
   1. Stay up to date on regulatory requirements, industry standards (static/antistatic, clean room, medical packaging, etc.), and sustainable packaging materials/practices.
   2. Incorporate sustainability metrics into design decisions when feasible (recycled content, reusability, right sizing, etc.).
   3. Assist production with first article of inspection and quality assurance where necessary.
   4. Work with Quality leadership to follow ISO 9001:2015 standards and document processes to ensure compliance.
7. Other essential functions
   1. Continually look for ways to improve processes and systems to make them more efficient and effective.
   2. Comply with all company policies and procedures.
   3. Responsible for working safely at all times and providing a safe work environment for all employees.
   4. All other duties as assigned.

1. Bachelor’s degree in packaging, manufacturing design engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial design or related field, or equivalent experience.
2. 3-7 years of hands-on experience designing protective packaging, especially with corrugated structures, foam inserts, specialty packaging materials.
3. Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., ArtiosCAD, SolidWorks for 3D/2D design.
4. Experience in performance testing (drop, vibration, compression, static/anti-static) and validating packaging under real-world distribution scenarios.
5. Effective communication skills – able to present designs to internal teams and customers, explain trade-offs, and make recommendations.
6. Strong project management and ability to lead cross-functional groups.
7. Strong understanding of material properties: corrugated grades, flute types, foam densities, finishes, etc.
8. Intermediate skills using Microsoft Office products (Excel, Outlook, Word, etc.).
9. Ability to perform math calculations (measurements, decimals, fractions, etc.).
10. Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
11. ERP system familiarity, including creating and maintaining part numbers, bills of materials, and production time standards; ensuring records remain current and accurate as designs evolve.
12. Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail across all work product, including design specifications, ERP data, test records, cost analyses, and customer-facing documentation. Errors in these areas have direct operational and financial impact.

1. Work will be performed both in an office environment and manufacturing environment.
2. Must be able to bend, stoop, reach and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
3. Work includes the use of computers, phones, and general office equipment as well as equipment and machinery used to create prototypes and samples.
4. Some work will be performed at Customer locations.
5. See complete Job Analysis for details.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Shippers Supply does not provide employment visa sponsorship, including H-1B sponsorship. Employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) will be required upon hire.

We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Background checks and drug tests required.

Salary Transparency

The pay range for this position is $70,000-$90,000 per year. Please note that the higher end of the pay range is reserved for candidates with extensive experience and qualifications that exceed the requirements of the role. Most new hires typically start at the beginning of the pay range, with opportunities for growth and increases based on performance and tenure.

Shippers Supply, Inc. offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, healthy savings account (HSA), a 401(k) with company match, paid time off (PTO), Volunteer Time Off (VTO), company-paid life insurance and Long-Term Disability (LTD), and other wellness programs.