Corrugated Packaging Designer

Job # : 26-00091

Job Title : Corrugated Packaging Designer

Job Location : Baltimore, MD 21213

Position Type : Direct Placement

Job Description :

Role Overview: The Corrugated Packaging Designer is responsible for creating, developing, and refining structural packaging solutions that align with customer requirements, manufacturing capabilities, and industry standards. This role bridges the gap between conceptual design and physical production by collaborating with Sales, Production, and Customer Service to deliver accurate structural layouts and prototypes.

Responsibilities & Duties:

Design & Structural Engineering:

CAD Drafting: Create detailed 2D structural drawings using ArtiosCAD based on specific customer needs and manufacturing constraints.

Product Development: Design corrugated packaging for all in-house manufactured items, including RSC, FOL, die cuts, displays, and inserts.

Prototyping: Develop physical samples and prototypes for customer approval using digital cutting tables.

Optimization: Modify existing designs to enhance structural performance, improve cost efficiency, and streamline manufacturability.

Graphics Coordination: Collaborate with tooling vendors and graphic designers to coordinate artwork for printing plates.

Technical Specifications & Materials:

Material Expertise: Apply deep knowledge of corrugated materials, including ECT, Mullen grades, fluting, and board combinations.

Integrity Analysis: Determine appropriate board grades based on product protection requirements, shipping conditions, and stacking strength.

Production Mapping: Prepare comprehensive manufacturing specifications and blueprints for the production team.

Performance Testing: Utilize TOPS software to provide technical data and packaging performance standards to customers.

Tooling & Inventory Management:

Inventory Tracking: Manage the location and status of all active and backup tooling.

Lifecycle Management: Conduct regular purges of obsolete dies and coordinate repairs with external vendors.

Quality Control: Inspect all incoming new and repaired tooling to ensure they are undamaged and meet production specifications.

Cost Estimation: Quantify the amount of rule for each cutting die to provide accurate cost estimates during the quoting phase.

Collaboration & Quality Assurance:

Sales Support: Partner with Sales representatives to translate customer concepts into practical, manufacturable packaging solutions.

Production Troubleshooting: Assist the production floor in resolving design or fit issues during the manufacturing process (flexos, die cutters, gluers).

Document Control: Maintain organized records of all design files, revisions, print plates, and board specifications.

Quality Standards: Ensure all designs adhere to customer requirements, industry regulations, and internal quality control procedures.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Technical Skills:

CAD Proficiency: Advanced skill in ArtiosCAD, AutoCAD, or equivalent structural design software.

Packaging Software: Familiarity with TOPS or similar packaging performance and palletization programs.

Material Science: Strong understanding of corrugated flutes, board grades, and stack strength calculations.

Equipment Operation: Experience using digital cutting tables (e.g., Kongsberg) and measuring equipment.

Functional & Behavioral Skills:

Spatial Reasoning: Excellent mathematical and 3D spatial visualization abilities.

Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.

Communication: Strong interpersonal skills for conducting customer presentations and technical reviews.

Detail Orientation: High level of accuracy in creating technical drawings and manufacturing specs.

Education & Experience:

Education: Associate degree in Packaging, Engineering, Industrial Design, CAD Drafting, or a related field.

Experience: Minimum of 2+ years of experience in corrugated packaging or a related manufacturing environment is preferred.

Plus Skills: Knowledge of flexographic printing processes and Adobe Illustrator is a significant advantage.