Packaging Engineer

Job Title: Packaging Engineer

Job Description

This Packaging Engineer role is a high-priority, 12-month contract-to-hire opportunity focused on packaging systems, automation controls, troubleshooting, continuous improvement, and capital project execution in an FDA-regulated manufacturing environment. You will primarily support a large personal care and OTC manufacturing facility, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver complex capital projects and improve liquid packaging and filling operations. The position offers strong conversion potential, significant exposure to large-scale capital programs, and clear opportunities for career growth as the organization continues to expand.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support capital projects ranging from approximately $1M to $34M, with a primary focus on liquid packaging and filling operations in an FDA-regulated environment.
• Provide engineering support for liquid packaging lines, including deodorant filling, bottling, labeling, scrambling systems, conveyors, and secondary packaging equipment.
• Troubleshoot packaging line issues and automation controls problems to minimize downtime and improve overall equipment effectiveness.
• Perform root cause analysis on equipment and process issues, develop corrective and preventive actions, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Understand and explain automation system functionality and equipment operation to maintenance, operations, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Quality, R&D, Manufacturing, Site Engineering, and Plant Leadership to ensure successful project execution and manufacturing support.
• Support manufacturing operations by optimizing processes, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and enhancing packaging line performance.
• Contribute to strategic planning for capital investments and packaging system upgrades, aligning engineering activities with business priorities.
• Support validation activities in an FDA-regulated environment, including IQ/OQ/PQ efforts and related documentation for packaging and process equipment.
• Ensure compliance with FDA and applicable regulatory requirements in all packaging and automation engineering activities.
• Prepare and maintain engineering and validation documentation, including specifications, test protocols, reports, and change control records.
• Participate in controls investigations and work with automation and maintenance teams to improve system reliability and performance.
• Engage in cross-functional meetings and project reviews to communicate progress, risks, and technical recommendations.
• Provide on-floor support during installations, shutdowns, and major project milestones, including occasional extra hours as needed.
• Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement in safety, quality, throughput, and cost within packaging operations.

Essential Skills

• 35+ years of experience supporting liquid packaging and filling operations in environments such as personal care, pharmaceutical, OTC manufacturing, or liquid food and beverage production.
• Hands-on experience with liquid packaging processes, including deodorant filling, bottling, labeling, scrambling systems, conveyors, and secondary packaging.
• Practical understanding of automation and controls systems in a manufacturing environment, with the ability to troubleshoot controls issues and understand system functionality.
• Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis and develop effective corrective and preventive actions for packaging and process issues.
• Experience working in an FDA-regulated manufacturing environment, with strong familiarity with compliance expectations and documentation requirements.
• Exposure to validation activities, with IQ/OQ/PQ experience preferred and validation documentation knowledge strongly desired.
• Experience supporting or working within OTC drug manufacturing, personal care products, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or similarly regulated industries.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Production, Quality, R&D, Manufacturing, Maintenance, and Plant Leadership.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain equipment operation, system functionality, and technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Willingness and ability to work primarily onsite in a manufacturing facility and provide on-floor support as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in highly automated packaging environments, particularly with liquid-process packaging, is highly valued.
• Background in liquid food and beverage manufacturing is considered relevant and transferable.
• PLC programming experience is a plus, though not required, provided there is a strong understanding of how automation systems operate.
• Demonstrated experience driving continuous improvement and process optimization within packaging or manufacturing operations.
• Prior involvement in large-scale capital projects within manufacturing, especially in regulated industries.
• Interest in long-term career growth within an expanding engineering organization, with openness to taking on broader responsibilities over time.

Work Environment

This role is primarily onsite in a manufacturing facility, with an expectation of being on the production floor to support packaging lines, installations, and ongoing operations. Some hybrid flexibility may be possible, with an anticipated minimum of approximately three days onsite per week, depending on business needs. The plant operates multiple lines with varying schedules, including 24/7, 24/5, and 20/5 operations, so you will work in a dynamic environment where production is often continuous. During installations, shutdowns, or major project activities, additional hours may occasionally be required, and compensatory time is provided to support work-life balance. You will work closely with cross-functional teams in a highly automated, FDA-regulated setting, using modern packaging, filling, and conveyor systems. The role involves regular presence on the floor in an industrial manufacturing environment, where appropriate safety attire and adherence to plant safety and quality procedures are expected.

This is a Permanent position based out of Raeford, NC.

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $75.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Permanent position based out of Raeford, NC.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 4, 2026.

This is a hybrid position in Raeford,NC.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.