_{03rd December, 2025}

Our client in Vista, California, is looking for an R&D Packaging Engineer to join their team!

This is an on-site/full-time/direct-hire position
Salary based on experience: $110K-$116K
 
POSITION SUMMARY
The R&D Packaging Engineer is responsible for developing and optimizing packaging solutions that ensure product integrity, stability, regulatory compliance, and consumer appeal. This role involves evaluating packaging materials for compatibility with dietary supplements, supporting technology transfers, and conducting plant trials to validate performance. The engineer collaborates with suppliers, manufacturing teams, co-packers, and cross-functional stakeholders to source innovative and cost-effective materials while maintaining quality and sustainability standards. They also ensure compliance with FDA, cGMP, and industry regulations, troubleshoot packaging-related challenges in production, and implement continuous improvement initiatives. Their work bridges product development and large-scale manufacturing, ensuring high-quality, efficient, and sustainable packaging solutions. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects and competing priorities with excellence and efficiency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Packaging Development & Optimization: Design, test, and optimize packaging solutions for dietary supplements, primarily bottles, cartons, jars, and case packs, but also potentially blister packs, pouches, sample packs, displays, and other formats, ensuring product protection and consumer appeal
• Material Selection & Compatibility: Evaluate and qualify packaging materials (plastics, glass, films, foils, etc.) to ensure compatibility with dietary supplements, preventing degradation, moisture ingress, or other stability issues.
• Technology Transfer & Scale-Up: Support the transition of new packaging concepts from front-end innovation to full-scale production across different manufacturing facilities, ensuring seamless implementation and efficiency.
• Plant Trial Execution: Plan and conduct packaging trials at manufacturing scales to validate packaging performance, filling line compatibility, and production feasibility.
• Supplier Collaboration & Sourcing: Work with procurement and suppliers to identify and qualify new packaging materials, improve supply chain resilience, and evaluate cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
• Regulatory Compliance & Sustainability: Ensure all packaging solutions meet FDA, cGMP, and other relevant regulatory standards while supporting sustainability initiatives such as recyclable or biodegradable materials.
• Packaging Equipment & Process Validation: Partner with engineering and operations teams to test and validate packaging lines, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and compliance with industry standards.
• Quality & Stability Testing: Collaborate with quality assurance and formulation teams to assess the impact of packaging on product stability, shelf life, and consumer safety.
• Process Documentation & SOPs: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), technical specifications, and packaging instructions to ensure consistency and knowledge retention.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Identify opportunities for packaging innovation, automation, and cost optimization while maintaining product integrity and enhancing the consumer experience.
• Troubleshooting & Technical Support: Address packaging-related issues in production, including defects, material inconsistencies, and machine compatibility challenges, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product R&D, production, procurement, marketing, and regulatory teams to align packaging solutions with product development goals and brand positioning.
• Technology & Innovation Integration: Evaluate and recommend new technologies, materials, and processing techniques to enhance product performance and scalability.
• Supports the team through the process of perfecting finished goods and processes across various locations
• Manage multiple projects in different stages at a high level of quality with attention to detail
• Research, quote, and qualify new packaging and turn-key finished services
• Address issues associated with internal and external packaging, planned and unplanned deviations
• Establish and continue building viable working relationships with Manufacturing and HQ, communicating project goals, timelines, and criteria for completion
• Support the startup and maintenance of pilot plant operations as appropriate
• Implementation of knowledge management strategies to improve access and accuracy of technical data to the appropriate functions

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Positive - Ability to view all situations with a positive attitude.
• Innovative - Ability to look beyond the standard solutions.
• Communication - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken and written word clearly and concisely.
• Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
• Detail-Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.
• Research Skills - Ability to design and conduct a systematic, objective, and critical investigation.

SKILLS & ABILITIES
Computer Skills

• Must be proficient with MS Office and have excellent Excel skills.

 
Other Requirements

• BS in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field plus 8 years of experience in formula and/or process development or equivalent combination of education and experience.

 
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

We are an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual based on race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws.

Apply For Job