Packaging Engineer

The On-Site Packaging Engineer is the plant's primary owner of packaging specifications, execution, and compliance, with direct accountability for how parts are packaged, handled, and processed within the facility. This role ensures packaging solutions effectively balance quality, damage prevention, cost control, safety, ergonomics, and operational efficiency. The Packaging Engineer maintains a strong daily presence on the dock and production floor to identify inbound packaging changes, risks, and improvement opportunities. Reporting to the Packaging Engineering Manager, this position operates with a dotted-line relationship to the Plant Manager and Operations Manager to support plant objectives while maintaining clear lines of demarcation in a unionized manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own and maintain all packaging specifications used within the plant, including containers, racks, dunnage, and expendable packaging
• Assign and approve the machine(s), processing paths, and material handling methods for parts based on packaging design and plant capabilities
• Serve as the on-site authority for packaging-related decisions impacting quality, damage, cost, safety, ergonomics, and throughput
• Routinely walk the dock and production floor to monitor inbound packaging and identify unauthorized changes or non-compliance
• Investigate and resolve packaging-related quality issues, part damage, safety concerns, and material flow disruptions
• Balance competing priorities across quality protection, damage prevention, cost control, and operator safety
• Ensure inbound packaging aligns with approved specifications and escalate deviations through proper channels
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Logistics, and Maintenance while respecting defined roles and union work rules
• Support Purchasing and suppliers on packaging compliance, changes, and cost-related discussions
• Lead packaging validation activities including trials, audits, corrective actions, and plant readiness reviews
• Ensure all packaging solutions comply with corporate standards, plant safety requirements, and union agreements
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on packaging performance, standardization, and cost reduction

Location:

• On-site: Center Line, Michigan
• Facility relocation to Van Buren Township, Michigan planned for 2027
• Full-time, on-site role
• Occasional travel to suppliers, other Stellantis locations, and CTC (Auburn Hills) as required

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering (required)
• Strong understanding of material flow, dock operations, and production environments
• Demonstrated ability to balance quality, damage, cost, and safety trade-offs
• Experience working in a unionized environment with clear respect for roles, responsibilities, and lines of demarcation
• Strong communication skills and agility to work in a dynamic workplace

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment
• Hands-on experience with returnable and expendable packaging systems
• Experience assigning or validating machine compatibility for parts and packaging
• Familiarity with material handling equipment and ergonomic standards
• Experience identifying and managing inbound packaging changes or supplier deviations
• Prior experience working directly with suppliers and purchasing teams
• Ability to operate independently and make sound, floor-level decisions in a fast-paced plant environment