Plastics Engineering Manager Jobs in Rochester, NY

Lead and execute packaging development and sustainability initiatives in support of R&D projects and evolving global packaging requirements. The engineer will drive the design, qualification, and continuous improvement of primary plastic packaging, including rigid plastics, flexible films, and injection‑molded formats, along with associated secondary packaging. The candidate will work closely with cross‑functional teams and external suppliers to embed sustainable packaging principles, life‑cycle thinking, and global regulatory requirements into new and existing product packaging.

• Serve as the plastics packaging and sustainability SME on project teams, providing guidance on polymer selection, plastic packaging design and conversion processes, performance testing, and global recyclability and end‑of‑life requirements.
• Research, identify, develop, and qualify plastics packaging solutions including lightweighting, mono‑material structures, multi‑material structures, recycled content, bio‑based, and recyclable designs.
• Explore potential new manufacturing processes and technologies; support existing manufacturing processes, quality improvements, and cost reductions including plastics conversion processes.
• Manage activities with external suppliers, material suppliers, and packaging vendors, and recycling/end‑of‑life partners to identify and qualify new sustainable packaging options.
• Lead technology transfer of new packaging materials and processes.
• Conduct and interpret packaging performance testing and life‑cycle assessments (LCA) to evaluate sustainability trade‑offs and substantiate environmental claims.
• Monitor evolving global packaging regulations and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes; translate requirements into design changes and compliance roadmaps.
• May serve as engineering lead on projects; may provide daily direction to technical team members assigned to project teams.

• BS in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related Engineering/Scientific discipline required.
• MS in Packaging Science, Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related discipline preferred.

• ISO‑9000, GMP, and DFSS experience; Six Sigma/DOE methodology a plus.
• Experience with plastics conversion processes such as injection molding, thermoforming, form‑fill‑seal, etc.
• Strong understanding of polymer structure‑property relationships and plastics/materials behavior.
• Working knowledge of sustainable packaging principles, including recyclability design guidelines, life‑cycle assessment (LCA) tools, and global packaging sustainability regulations (e.g., EU PPWR, EPR, recycled content mandates).
• Design software (SolidWorks or AutoCAD); Statistical software (Minitab, JMP, or equivalent).
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent packaging projects, timelines and stakeholders; PMP certification or formal project management training a plus.
• Strong communication, documentation, organization, and presentation skills required.

• 7+ years in Plastics/Packaging Engineering, Sustainable Packaging Development, and/or Packaging Process Development.
• Hands‑on technical expertise in a development environment required.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments, translating high‑level or loosely defined direction into clear, actionable plans and sustainable processes.
• Demonstrated success building structure, defining requirements, and establishing new capabilities where none previously existed.
• Demonstrated experience designing and qualifying sustainable packaging.
• Medical device or FDA‑regulated product experience strongly preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical capabilities with experience in DOE and Design for Manufacturing.
• Experience executing packaging sustainability programs and quantifying environmental impact through LCA or comparable methodologies preferred.
• Must be able to develop working relationships with various internal core competencies and work as a team member.

We offer competitive salary & excellent benefits including:

• Medical, Dental, Eye Health, Disability and Life Insurance begins on your hire date
• 401(k) Plan with company match and ongoing company contribution
• Paid time off – vacation (3 weeks – prorated upon hire), floating holidays and sick time
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with company match
• Employee Incentive Bonus
• Tuition Reimbursement (select degrees)
• Ongoing performance feedback and annual compensation review

For U.S. locations that require disclosure of compensation, the starting pay for this role is between $95,000 and $115,000. The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors.

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short‑term and/or long‑term incentives. They may also be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, disability and life insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, a tuition reimbursement program (select degrees), company holidays, and well‑being benefits, among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive sick time, floating holidays and paid vacation.

This position may be available in the following location(s): US – Rochester, NY (GEHC)

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.