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Plastic Packaging Technology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Brown & Root

Packaging Tech

Narrows, VA

$14.75 - $18/hr

... plastics, or chemicals, into things such as wheelbarrows, scrap trucks, or barrels. - May occasionally operate fork lift, truck or electric hoist to assist in loading or moving materials and products ...

Brown and Root

Packaging Tech

Narrows, VA

$14.75 - $18/hr

... plastics, or chemicals, into things such as wheelbarrows, scrap trucks, or barrels. - May occasionally operate fork lift, truck or electric hoist to assist in loading or moving materials and products ...

Bausch+Lomb Companies Inc.

Serve as the plastics packaging and sustainability SME on project teams, providing guidance on ... Lead technology transfer of new packaging materials and processes. Conduct and interpret packaging ...

Brown & Root

Packaging Tech

Narrows, VA · On-site

$15 - $17.75/hr

... plastics, or chemicals, into things such as wheelbarrows, scrap trucks, or barrels. - May occasionally operate fork lift, truck or electric hoist to assist in loading or moving materials and products ...

Serioplast

Plastic Extrusion Operator

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

Serioplast , a Global Leader in Rigid Plastic Packaging , is Looking for a Injection Molding Technician for the plants in St. Louis, Missouri! Are you a professional technologist looking for an ...

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Plastic Packaging Technology information

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$12

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$27

How much do plastic packaging technology jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for plastic packaging technology in the United States is $18.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $19.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Plastic Packaging Technology vs Plastic Packaging Engineer?

AspectPlastic Packaging TechnologyPlastic Packaging Engineer
Primary FocusDeveloping and optimizing plastic packaging materials and processesDesigning, testing, and improving plastic packaging products and systems
Required CredentialsTechnical diploma or degree in plastics, packaging, or related fieldsBachelor's or higher in engineering or plastics technology
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, R&D labs, production linesDesign offices, R&D labs, manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageUsed by packaging companies, manufacturers, and material suppliersEmployed by packaging design firms, manufacturers, and engineering consultancies

Plastic Packaging Technology focuses on developing and optimizing packaging materials and processes, often involving research and production. In contrast, Plastic Packaging Engineers design and improve packaging products, combining engineering principles with material science. Both roles require technical knowledge and often overlap, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and application.

What is plastic packaging technology?

Plastic packaging technology refers to the field focused on designing, producing, and improving packaging materials and solutions made from plastics. This technology is used to protect, preserve, and transport a wide variety of products, including food, beverages, medicines, and consumer goods. Professionals in this area work on developing materials that are durable, lightweight, cost-effective, and increasingly sustainable. They also address challenges related to recycling, environmental impact, and compliance with safety regulations.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Plastic Packaging Technology, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Plastic Packaging Technology often face challenges such as staying updated with evolving environmental regulations, ensuring material sustainability, and optimizing packaging for both cost and performance. Addressing these challenges involves continuous learning about new materials and recycling technologies, collaborating closely with design, production, and compliance teams, and actively participating in industry forums. Effective communication and adaptability are key to developing innovative, sustainable packaging solutions that meet both client and regulatory requirements.

What other jobs can I get with a degree in packaging?

A degree in packaging can lead to roles such as Packaging Engineer, Quality Control Specialist, or Product Development Coordinator, which involve designing, testing, and improving packaging solutions. Skills in materials science, manufacturing processes, and industry standards are valuable in these positions, often requiring knowledge of CAD software and quality assurance protocols.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

In the field of plastic packaging technology, high-paying roles such as senior process engineers, plant managers, or technical consultants can earn around $2,000 per day, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and leadership responsibilities. These positions often require advanced technical knowledge, certifications, and management expertise, and may involve working in large manufacturing facilities or overseeing complex production processes.

What do packaging technologists do?

Packaging technologists design, develop, and test packaging materials and systems for products, ensuring they meet safety, durability, and regulatory standards. They often work with manufacturing teams, use specialized software, and may require knowledge of materials science and quality control processes.

What skills do you need to be a packaging technician?

A packaging technician needs strong technical skills related to packaging machinery operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Attention to detail, manual dexterity, and the ability to follow safety protocols are essential. Basic knowledge of quality control, reading technical diagrams, and sometimes certifications in manufacturing or safety are also beneficial.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Plastic Packaging Technologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Plastic Packaging Technologist, you need a solid background in polymer science, materials engineering, and packaging design, often supported by a relevant degree or diploma. Familiarity with CAD software, laboratory testing equipment, and regulatory standards like FDA or ISO is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective collaboration skills set outstanding professionals apart in this field. These competencies are crucial for developing innovative, safe, and sustainable packaging solutions that meet industry and client requirements.
More about Plastic Packaging Technology jobs
What cities are hiring for Plastic Packaging Technology jobs? Cities with the most Plastic Packaging Technology job openings:
What job categories do people searching Plastic Packaging Technology jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Plastic Packaging Technology jobs are:
Plastic Packaging Technology jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plastic Packaging Technology job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,198 per year, or $18.8 per hour.
Sr Manager, R&D - Plastic Rigid Materials

Sr Manager, R&D - Plastic Rigid Materials

Kraft Heinz Company

Glenview, IL • On-site

$111K - $154K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Kraft Heinz rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 119 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

193rd of 385 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Job Description
Job Purpose
As the Rigid Plastic Packaging Senior Manager within the Sustainability & Materials Center of Excellence, you will lead a team of technical experts charged with developing rigid plastic packaging solutions to serve the North American portfolio. The objective of the team is to develop material and format solutions that meet sustainability requirements, addressing innovation, compliance, and value engineering initiatives. The team will develop and lead technical strategies and deliver novel, functional, cost-competitive solutions. In this role you will partner with Innovation, Process, and Platform packaging teams as well as cross-functional stakeholders to translate technical and sustainability requirements into viable, commercial, manufacturable solutions. The role includes leading the team to identify material/polymer/packaging technology solutions and research pathways, and leading proof of concept, technology scale-up, and seamless transition of technologies to the business units. The ideal candidate combines deep technical packaging expertise with strong sustainability knowledge and proven experience managing complex projects and technical teams.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
  • Lead and prioritize a portfolio of complex rigid plastic packaging technology strategies and initiatives, including balancing technology exploration with proof of concept of novel technologies and managing complex partnerships across the value chain, demonstrating value and business case for technology applications.

  • Build, coordinate and manage relationships and partnerships with suppliers and technology providers (e.g., resin, coating, material suppliers; packaging manufacturers), and external partners (e.g., universities, institutes, start-ups, open innovation networks).

  • Identify material/polymer/packaging technology solutions that avoid material bans and regulatory risks.

  • Advance recyclable, reusable, and compliant rigid packaging formats aligned with enterprise sustainability goals and legislative requirements.

  • Deliver packaging designs to Performance-Based Specifications (PBS), ensuring solutions meet defined functional, quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance outcomes (rather than prescriptive designs).

  • Provide technical leadership and oversight on packaging reviews, ensuring design decisions align with enterprise standards, manufacturability, sustainability, and long-term platform strategy.

  • Own project and portfolio-level budgets, resourcing strategies and capacity planning, ensuring delivery within approved financial guardrails; develop and maintain project plans, schedules, budgets, and resource allocations; monitor progress, assess risk, and proactively escalate tradeoffs.

  • Serve as an accountable owner for governance, escalation and go/no-go decisions; represent packaging steering forums and influence stakeholders.

  • Act as technical expert for junior developers and direct team to flex onto projects requiring problem solving.

  • Partner with legal to build robust IP strategies; conduct exploration to build an IP portfolio to drive competitive advantage.

  • Mentor, coach and train junior project team members and contribute to PMO best practices and templates.

  • Build and sustain a high-performing technical team; manage, coach, mentor and retain employees, including goal-setting, performance management, salary planning and hiring.

  • Build strong succession and upskilling plans for junior talent, maximizing apprenticeship with more senior/experienced team members.

People Management Responsibilities
  • Team (salaried): targeting 3 direct reports

Key Outputs & Deliverables
  • Deliver technology strategy and prioritize a portfolio of complex rigid plastic packaging technology/format initiatives to deliver against sustainability, innovation and value engineering initiatives.

  • Lead and deploy a team of packaging technical experts to deliver 7 to 10 concurrent complex packaging technology projects annually, meeting committed timelines, budgets, and technical performance targets from concept through proof of concept and handover.

  • Ensure full compliance with evolving sustainability and regulatory requirements for portfolio projects, including:

  • Minimizing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees

  • Designing packaging solutions that avoid material bans and regulatory risks

  • Advancing recyclable, reusable, and compliant packaging formats aligned with enterprise sustainability goals and legislative requirements

  • Deliver packaging designs to PBS, ensuring solutions meet defined functional, quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance outcomes.

Expected Experience & Required Skills
  • BS/MS/PhD degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering preferred or related discipline.

  • Minimum 8 years of R&D technology development and commercialization experience in packaging and project leadership experience (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred).

  • Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end development projects, identifying and driving packaging technology initiatives, leading external partnerships, and coordinating cross-functional teams.

  • Demonstrated experience in people management

  • Strong technical knowledge of materials (polymers, barriers and additives, etc.) and manufacturing constraints, including converting processes (e.g., filling, labeling, molding, injection molding, extrusion blow molding, thermoforming), bottle closure and dispensing systems.

  • Proven project management/PMO skills; experience with governance, risk management, budget management, and stakeholder reporting.

  • Expert knowledge of design of experiments and statistics; strong technical problem solving.

  • Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills; ability to influence at all levels.

  • Previous experience leading complex, multisite or global packaging or technology launches.

  • Expert knowledge of sustainable packaging solutions, material/package industry standards and regulations.

  • Experience with pilot line setups and scale-up to industrial production.

  • Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Work Environment & Schedule
This position operates primarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center (Glenview, IL).
Physical demands include but not limited to
  • Regular office work

  • Physical presence at labs and manufacturing sites (internal and external) to perform experimental and validation testing

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz' strategy and values.
New Hire Base Salary Range:
$120,800.00 - $151,000.00
Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.
The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors
Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family's needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
You'll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:
  • Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
  • Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
  • Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
  • Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)
Glenview R&D Center
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.

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