Structural Packaging Designer

Overview

Responsibilities

• Create detailed technical drawings and dielines for secondary and tertiary packaging structures.
• Develop functional prototypes using CNC cutting tables, 3D printers, and manual assembly techniques.
• Conduct material performance testing to validate structural integrity and product protection levels.
• Collaborate with graphic designers to ensure visual elements align correctly with physical folds and seams.
• Optimize packaging dimensions to maximize palletization efficiency and reduce shipping costs.
• Evaluate manufacturing feasibility by consulting with vendors and production engineers.
• Audit existing packaging portfolios to identify opportunities for material reduction and sustainability improvements.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in packaging science, industrial design, or a related engineering field is standard.
• Proficiency in industry-standard CAD software such as ArtiosCAD, SolidWorks, or Rhino is essential.
• Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing processes including die-cutting, injection molding, and thermoforming.
• Experience performing standard ISTA and ASTM physical testing procedures on packaging materials.
• Advanced understanding of material properties for paper, corrugated board, and various polymers.

Nice to have

• Professional certification from the Institute of Packaging Professionals is highly regarded.
• Experience with life cycle assessment software to measure the environmental impact of design choices.
• Knowledge of luxury finishing techniques such as foil stamping, embossing, and specialized coatings.

Work environment

• Work is primarily conducted in design studios equipped with high-end workstations and prototyping labs.
• The role requires regular collaboration with marketing, supply chain, and quality assurance departments.
• Standard office hours are common, though deadlines for major product launches may necessitate overtime.
• Occasional travel to manufacturing facilities or vendor sites for production line trials is expected.
• Tools include physical measuring instruments, sample making tables, and specialized structural design software.

Benefits & growth

• Career progression typically leads from junior designer to senior designer, then into design management or technical directorship.
• Compensation packages in corporate environments often include performance-based bonuses and health benefits.
• Professional development is supported through attendance at international packaging trade shows and material science seminars.
• Opportunities for specialization exist in high-growth areas such as sustainable material innovation or medical device packaging.
• The role offers high job stability as physical goods require increasingly complex and efficient containment solutions.