Senior Applications Engineer Jobs in Howell, MI (NOW HIRING)

This role strengthens the paper materials workstream by adding senior-level technical ownership for supplier readiness, plant execution, qualification discipline, and converting performance. This position will continue to improve speed, consistency, and technical follow-through across paper material qualifications and paper-related manufacturing support.

The Senior Paper Materials Engineer leads paper material support across procurement, supplier qualification, material trials, plant issue resolution, and manufacturing readiness for Dart's paper-based product platforms. This role supports paperboard, coated paper, cup stock, plate stock, lid materials, and related fiber-based materials used in cups, lids, plates, and other converted paper products.

The role works closely with Procurement, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Sustainability, Product Development, suppliers, and plant teams to qualify materials, troubleshoot performance issues, support supplier transitions, and ensure paper materials are ready for production use. This position requires strong hands-on converting experience and the ability to spend significant time in plants, supplier facilities, and trial locations.

What You'll Do...

• Lead paper material qualification projects from supplier evaluation through testing, production trials, approval, and implementation.
• Partner with Procurement to assess new suppliers, alternative sourcing options, supplier transitions, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Review material specifications, supplier capabilities, coating technologies, and performance requirements for food packaging applications.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing plants, troubleshooting material and converting issues related to quality, performance, and production efficiency.
• Plan and execute production trials, analyze results, lead root cause investigations, and recommend corrective actions.
• Apply expertise in paper converting processes, including forming, die cutting, printing, coating, laminating, slitting, and packaging.
• Support material selection and specification development to ensure compatibility with manufacturing processes, customer requirements, and product performance expectations.
• Maintain qualification records, material specifications, testing documentation, and regulatory or customer compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Sustainability, Product Development, and suppliers to drive successful material qualifications and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Communicate technical findings, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders and ensure projects stay on track from qualification through commercialization.

Key Focus Areas: 

What You'll Need... 

• Requires one of the following:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Paper Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials science, or a related technical field.
  • Associate's degree and twelve (12) years of related engineering experience
• Senior-level experience supporting paper materials, coated paper, paperboard, fiber-based packaging, or paper converting operations.
• Direct experience with converting paper for cups, lids, plates, or similar formed and converted food packaging applications.
• Demonstrated ability to support manufacturing trials, supplier qualifications, material testing, plant troubleshooting, and cross-functional technical decision-making.
• Strong understanding of how paper material properties affect converting performance and finished product quality.
• Ability to travel up to 50% to manufacturing plants, supplier locations, trials, technical reviews, and qualification activities.
• Strong communication, ability to influence, documentation, organization, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work independently in plant environments and provide practical technical recommendations under real production conditions.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Experience with cup stock, plate stock, coated paperboard, poly-coated paper, barrier-coated paper, lid materials, molded or fiber-based packaging, or food-contact paper materials.
• Experience supporting supplier transitions, second-source qualifications, material cost-savings projects, or new material commercialization.
• Familiarity with paper material testing, coating performance, sealing behavior, converting defects, curl, moisture effects, stiffness, density, caliper, printability, and runnability.
• Experience working directly with Procurement, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Sustainability, suppliers, and plant leadership.
• Experience developing material specifications, qualification reports, trial plans, technical recommendations, and approval documentation.

#LI-KS1

Overview: Dart makes everyday products that give people the freedom to enjoy the food & drinks they love, wherever they are. From to-go containers and dinnerware to tamper-evident food packaging and even the red SOLO cup, Dart products have been keeping people on the go and having fun for 65 years.  We're a family-owned, family-focused company of 12,000 employees united by a shared set of values and dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Mason, MI, with 30 locations in three countries, we're proud of our ability to innovate, manufacture and lead the way with each new generation of quality products.

Benefits: Dart Container full-time employees enjoy great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company matching contributions, paid vacation, paid holidays, short-term disability, tuition assistance, product discounts and more.

Dart Container is a drug-free workplace.  Candidates are subject to a drug test (excluding THC*/marijuana/cannabis) and background check at the time of offer.

*THC testing ONLY when such testing is required by law.
Dart Container is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all candidates for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

https://www.dartcontainer.com/eeoaa/

If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access this website or for the application process, you should call Dart at (800) 545-3278 Ext 3370 or email us at ADArequests@dart.biz. Relay calls can be made by dialing 711 or the relay number for your state.

If you experience difficulty applying online, you may call (800) 545-3278 Ext 3390 or email us at applicationassistance@dart.biz for assistance.