Packaging Engineer Senior - On-site bei Johnson Outdoors

Packaging Engineer Senior - On-site

At Johnson Outdoors, the Senior Packaging Engineer plays a pivotal role in shaping the customer experience through innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective packaging solutions. This role leads packaging design for new product development and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring product protection, brand impact, and operational efficiency. Collaborating across engineering, marketing, and supply chain teams, the Senior Packaging Engineer drives packaging strategies that reflect our commitment to quality, sustainability, and outdoor adventure. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• As part of new product development teams, designs cost-effective packaging solutions that can withstand the rigors of both small parcel, last mile, and LTL freight-shipping environments and arrive defect-free.
• Collaborates with the product integrity team to outline comprehensive test specifications (shock, vibration, compression) and works with outside labs as necessary to conduct requisite testing to confirm design requirements.
• Partners with Brand and Product Management to understand customer expectations and ensure packaging aligns with outdoor brand storytelling.
• Ensures packaging solutions align with current e-commerce standards and trends as required, including frustration-free packaging and omnichannel requirements, to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
• Lead packaging design and validation efforts to ensure compliance with UN 38.3 testing requirements for lithium batteries, including proper containment, labeling, and documentation for safe transport across all modes of shipping.
• Leads the expansion of an existing internal returnable packaging system downstream to component suppliers with the goals of streamlining operational efficiency and reducing overall enterprise costs.
• Supports Value Analysis/Value Engineering initiatives by working with Purchasing, Finance, and Operations to identify ongoing opportunities to reduce material, labor, and indirect costs while improving quality.  
• Working with Compliance teams, supports any regulatory requirements for packaging based on international environmental standards and proactively applies those standards to our packaging designs.
• Supports Quality Engineering with routine audits to ensure our designs are adequate and that suppliers are delivering materials to specification.
• Attends annual packaging trade expos as needed to stay current with industry best practices and new innovative packaging technologies.
• Must work well in a highly collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams supporting multiple domestic and international facilities and suppliers of contract-manufactured goods. Ongoing production problem-solving support will be required to maintain product quality.
• Supports initiatives in sustainable packaging, including material reduction, recyclable/biodegradable alternatives, and closed-loop systems.
• Partner in supplier development efforts related to packaging, including onboarding, audits, and performance evaluations to ensure quality and compliance.
• Develop packaging cost models and ROI analyses to support decision-making and budgeting for new packaging initiatives.
• Mentor team members and contribute to building internal packaging expertise and best practices.
• Utilize data analytics to monitor packaging performance, damage rates, and customer feedback to drive continuous improvement.

SUPERVISORY/MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• None

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Education:       Bachelor’s degree in packaging engineering.

Experience:     Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of expertise in packaging design within a high volume manufacturing of consumer or industrial products environment. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Complete understanding of the shock, vibration, and stacking conditions encountered in shipping, and creative thinking to create CAD designs that can be prototyped, tested, and ultimately used by Purchasing to obtain competitive quotes.
• Experience in corrugated, pulp, and foam packaging design and testing.
• Experience with multi-color printed point of sale packaging and clamshells is desirable.
• Knowledge of UN 38.3 testing protocols and regulatory requirements for lithium battery packaging, with the ability to design compliant solutions that meet safety and transportation standards.
• Growth mindset of continuous improvement and the determination to challenge the status quo.
• Strategic thinking to align packaging solutions with brand positioning, customer expectations, and business objectives.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing methodologies and principles.
• Complete understanding of current ASTM/ISTA industry testing and standards and related governmental and international environmental regulations.
• Demonstrated understanding of transit and packaging testing equipment utilized by ASTM/ISTA certified facilities.
• Ability to create, read, and interpret drawing requirements and specifications.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities simultaneously and meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong initiative, curiosity, and the ability to work autonomously.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to work effectively with internal teams and external suppliers across multiple geographic cultures. Ability to represent the company professionally to both customers and suppliers.
• Flexible and adaptable to navigate internal processes, advocate change where needed, and mitigate delays and unexpected events.
• Proficiency in using CAD engineering software and Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work extended hours as required, including overtime and weekends.
• Ability to travel up to 20% to domestic and/or international sites.
• Project management skills to lead cross-functional packaging initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Familiarity with e-commerce packaging standards and trends, including frustration-free packaging and omnichannel considerations.
• Ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority, driving alignment and execution.
• Knowledge of sustainability certifications (e.g., FSC, SFI, How2Recycle) and life cycle analysis tools.
• Compensation range $89k - $115k (depends upon experience).

A few pointers about our culture:

• Entrepreneurial spirit and innovation are in our bones! We authentically innovate trusted equipment that gets people out there.
• We are laser-focused on our consumers, and passionate about inspiring people to actively engage with the amazing awe of the outdoors again and again.
• We strive to create meaningful, healthy change in the world as individuals and as a family of brands.
• We value diversity and team members who are willing to wear multiple hats; who take personal initiative, anticipating what needs to be done, and figuring things out to make them happen; but who are also willing to ask for help, to assist others and work together.

 What you will receive: 

• Share in the company’s success - Competitive base salary, with additional earning potential through participation in the annual discretionary cash profit sharing program, and eligibility for annual pay increases.
• Find your work/life balance with generous paid time off and holiday benefits, health insurance and wellness plans.
• Further your career with training opportunities including our tuition assistance program.
• Plan for your future with our 401k with company match and deferred retirement contributions, Sons & Daughters Scholarship program, life and LTD insurance, and more.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at Johnson Outdoors (and all subsidiaries) without regard to race; creed; color; religion; national origin; sex; age; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; genetic predisposition or carrier status; veteran, marital, or citizenship status; or any other status protected by law. Johnson Outdoors is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. 

About Us: 

JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors. The company designs, manufactures, and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping. Johnson Outdoors' iconic brands include.: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak™; Carlisle® paddles; Minn Kota® fishing motors, batteries, and anchors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems. Founded in 1970 by Samuel C. Johnson, the Company has delivered double-digit compound annual growth over its history, evolving from a single brand into a nearly $663 million global enterprise with around 1,300 employees across 20 countries.