Packaging Science Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:  Manufacturing Engineer, Corporate Packaging       FLSA STATUS:  Exempt

SUMMARY

The Manufacturing Engineer, Packaging provides technical expertise for the design, development, quoting, validation, and implementation of returnable and expendable packaging for customer shipments, supplier components, production materials, and intercompany movement between SPI facilities. This role supports new program launches, customer packaging requirements, supplier coordination, fleet-size calculations, cost estimates, and plant delivery timing to ensure packaging solutions meet quality, safety, logistics, cost, reuse, and recycling objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Under general supervision, the Manufacturing Engineer, Packaging is responsible for:

• Supporting Estimating by developing packaging concepts, cost estimates, assumptions, and quote inputs for new and major programs.
• Interpreting customer packaging requirements and working with customer packaging engineers to develop compliant, economical packaging solutions.
• Working with Plant Launch Champions, Manufacturing Engineers, suppliers, and internal teams to develop packaging for new programs that meets quality, safety, logistics, timing, and quoted-cost objectives.
• Coordinating packaging program activities, including supplier specifications, supplier quotes, sample development, customer approvals, fleet-size calculations, purchase order support, and delivery timing to plants.
• Troubleshooting packaging issues across the corporation and supporting timely, practical, and cost-effective resolutions.
• Supporting initiatives for the reuse, recycling, storage, and disposal of packaging materials at Summit facilities.
• Assisting Purchasing with incoming packaging solutions for purchased components, with emphasis on cost, protection, reuse, and recycling opportunities.
• Supporting improvements to existing production packaging related to cost, quality, ergonomics, logistics, and material flow.
• Reviewing packaging ROI, cost, and status information for accuracy and presenting updates to management as needed.
• Completing other packaging-related projects as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered.
• Two to five years of packaging development, manufacturing engineering, automotive launch, or related manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience with returnable and expendable packaging, customer packaging requirements, supplier coordination, cost estimating, and fleet-size calculations preferred.
• Automotive manufacturing or program launch experience preferred.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to interpret customer packaging standards and translate requirements into practical, cost-effective packaging solutions.
• Strong analytical skills related to packaging cost estimates, supplier quotes, fleet sizing, logistics assumptions, and packaging budgets.
• Strong problem-solving skills related to packaging quality, damage prevention, ergonomics, logistics, launch readiness, and plant support.
• Ability to coordinate multiple programs, suppliers, customers, and internal deadlines under general supervision.
• Effective communication skills with customers, suppliers, plants, Purchasing, Estimating, Finance, and launch teams.
• Ability to support packaging reuse, recycling, cost-reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; experience with CAD, and packaging specification preferred.

• A minimum score of 50  on the Wonderlic Assessment (Traditional score of 26 on the cognitive portion).

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This position typically does require up to 10% travel.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job.  Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Agreement to complete all post-hire required training.

Rev 6/30/2026