Staff Engineer - Packaging Innovation

The Staff Engineer - Packaging Innovation at Niagara leads technology scouting, evaluation, and development initiatives to support low-cost leadership, operational scalability, and sustainable packaging innovation. The role involves cross-functional collaboration, experimental research, and strategic development to create new products and improve manufacturing processes.

Location: Remote

Salary: $107,514.38 - $153,208.01 / Yearly

Responsibilities

• Lead technology scouting, evaluation, and development initiatives aligned with low-cost leadership, manufacturing scalability, and sustainable packaging innovation.
• Design, develop, and implement R&D projects, including material evaluations, process-property relationship studies, virtual engineering/modeling, and development of new testing methodologies.
• Plan and execute experimental trials on manufacturing lines and pilot systems; collect, analyze, and interpret data to support technical recommendations and scalable implementation.
• Develop predictive models and data-driven insights to improve product performance, process robustness, and operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for product, packaging, and process optimization through analytical and engineering-based approaches.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality, Supply Chain, and external partners/suppliers to support strategic innovation initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and external partnerships for technical feasibility, commercial viability, and strategic fit.
• Design and conduct laboratory testing using R&D equipment, including development of SOPs, technical reports, and validation protocols.
• Support manufacturing trials, commercialization activities, and product launches across multiple production facilities.
• Present technical findings, strategic recommendations, and project updates to internal and external stakeholders, including leadership teams.
• Support intellectual property development, technical documentation, and innovation strategy initiatives.

Requirements

• Minimum 6 years of experience in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mechanics, or Material Science.
• Experience in a position, industry, or research laboratory.
• Experience working with engineers, graduate researchers, interns, or lab assistants.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off for holidays, sick time, and vacation time.
• Paid parental and caregiver leaves.
• Medical, including virtual care options.
• Dental.
• Vision.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Health Savings Account with company match.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Expanded mental wellbeing benefits including free counseling sessions.
• Family Building Benefits including fertility benefits, adoption, surrogacy, and Doula reimbursements.
• Income protection including Life and AD&D, short and long-term disability, critical illness, and an accident plan.
• Discount programs including pet plans, legal services, identity theft, car rental, airport parking.
• Tuition reimbursement, college savings plan, and scholarship opportunities.

Additional Information

• Position embodies Niagara’s LIFE competency model, focusing on safety, innovation, problem-solving, and personal growth.
• Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical/Materials engineering or related fields; Master's preferred.
• Proficiency in data analysis, laboratory equipment, and analysis tools like Matlab and Python.
• Physical demands include lifting up to 40 lbs, travel up to 15%, and working in various environments.