Packaging Engineer
Packaging engineers design, develop, and test packaging systems for consumer products, food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial goods. They select materials, optimize packaging for shipping efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, and work toward sustainability goals like recyclability and waste reduction. The BLS reports a median salary of $96,000 with 6% projected growth as e-commerce and sustainability demands drive innovation.
A Day in the Life
A typical day starts with reviewing drop-test results from a new corrugated shipping box design. Mid-morning involves meeting with the marketing team to discuss branding requirements for a product relaunch. After lunch, the engineer uses CAD software to adjust die-cut patterns for a retail display box, then runs compression tests on prototype samples. The afternoon wraps up with a supplier call about transitioning to post-consumer recycled material.
Key Stats
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Salary Range
Entry: $62,000
Median: $96,000
Senior: $132,000
Job Growth