Principal Engineer, R&D - Packaging Materials & Performance

About the role

Kraft Heinz is looking for a Principal Engineer, R&D in Packaging Materials & Performance in Glenview, IL. Working with Packaging R&D, Innovation, Platform and Process Packaging, Quality, Operations, Procurement and external partners, you will set the technical foundation so that packaging systems meet functional, quality, shelf-life, manufacturing, consumer, sustainability and regulatory expectations. The role focuses on technical packaging leadership and requirement development rather than specification administration.

Key responsibilities

• Define enterprise requirements for packaging materials, package systems and packaging technologies across the portfolio, and turn product, consumer, operational, supply chain, sustainability, regulatory and business needs into measurable performance targets and technical acceptance requirements.
• Provide expertise in barrier properties, mechanical performance, seal integrity, distribution durability, compatibility, machinability, sustainability performance and consumer use, and guide material and design decisions.
• Establish testing methods, validation strategies and acceptance criteria, and design and oversee validation activities including laboratory testing, pilot plant evaluations, manufacturing trials, distribution testing and commercial production startup support.
• Identify, assess and mitigate technical risks related to materials, structures, manufacturing processes and package performance.
• Build performance verification plans supporting concept development, proof of concept, scale-up, launch and ongoing product support, and solve complex performance problems using experimental design and data analysis.
• Develop tools, training and coaching, and mentor team members and cross-functional stakeholders in packaging materials, validation and technical problem solving.
• Track outcomes such as commercialization success, reduced rework and improved launch readiness, and maintain requirement governance through documented change control.

Required profile

• BS/MS/PhD in Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering, or a related discipline, preferred.
• 6+ years of experience in packaging R&D, packaging development, materials engineering, commercialization or related technical leadership roles (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred).
• Deep understanding of packaging material functionality, package-system interactions, manufacturing processes and their impact on product quality, consumer experience, operations and sustainability.
• Proven experience setting technical requirements, performance targets, validation methods and acceptance criteria for packaging systems.
• Strong knowledge of packaging manufacturing and converting processes, and familiarity with sustainable packaging technologies, circularity initiatives, regulatory requirements and packaging legislation.
• Experience leading packaging development programs from concept through commercialization.
• Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders in a matrixed organization, with strong communication skills and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time.

Required skills

• Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis
• Package testing methodologies and data interpretation
• Structured technical problem solving