Packaging Engineer

Packaging Engineer (Greenville, SC)
Our client that develops, manufactures, and distributes generic medicines, is hiring a Packaging Engineer (Direct Hire,  ideally start this year!  11/23 would be ideal , however, if the right person needs to start in December, we can make that work)!  If you’re motivated to start a new role this year, this one’s for you!

The person needs to be very hands- on, they will be expected to lead equipment specifications and procurement, FAT/SAT, commissioning, IQ/OQ/PQ, troubleshooting, serialization, vendor coordination, and cGMP documentation. Client has a specialty in oral liquids and unit-dose products for hospitals and other healthcare providers; Experience with liquid is preferred.

Job Summary:
The Equipment Packaging Engineer is responsible for specifying, designing, implementing, and optimizing packaging machinery and automated packaging lines used in the production of pharmaceutical and consumer health products. This role focuses on equipment performance, reliability, integration, validation, and continuous improvement to ensure operational efficiency, product quality, and compliance with cGMP and regulatory standards.

Help design, install, and improve automated packaging lines for pharmaceutical and consumer health products. You’ll partner with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and equipment vendors to start up machinery, troubleshoot issues, boost performance, and ensure equipment meets quality and regulatory requirements.

What you’ll bring: Packaging equipment experience, automated packaging systems, equipment startup and qualification (FAT/SAT, IQ/OQ/PQ), and cGMP requirements. Experience with PLCs, serialization, CAD, and continuous improvement is also valuable.

Duties and Responsibilities: 
Equipment & Line Design- Lead the design, specification, and procurement of packaging equipment including blister machines, bottle lines, cartoners, labelers, pouching systems, serialization stations, and case packing equipment.
Develop URS, equipment specifications, functional requirements, and design documentation for new or upgraded machinery.
Evaluate equipment designs for manufacturability, reliability, and integration with existing systems, utilities, and facility layouts.
Equipment Installation, Commissioning & Qualification- Manage equipment installation, FAT/SAT, commissioning, and validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ).
Coordinate with vendors, system integrators, and internal maintenance teams to ensure equipment is installed and qualified per project requirements.
Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and control-system issues during startup and post-launch phases.
Line Optimization & Performance Improvement – Analyze packaging line performance to identify productivity constraints, material handling challenges, and automation improvement opportunities.
Implement upgrades that improve throughput, reduce downtime, enhance quality, and support continuous improvement goals.
Perform root-cause analysis on recurring equipment issues and develop sustainable corrective actions.
Technical Documentation & Compliance- Develop and maintain technical documentation including equipment validations, specifications, drawings, change controls, SOPs, and preventive maintenance plans.
Ensure compliance with cGMP, FDA/EMA regulations, internal quality systems, and safety standards.
Support internal audits, regulatory inspections, and technical reviews related to equipment and packaging operations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, EHS, and Supply Chain teams to ensure equipment readiness and operational alignment.
Partner with suppliers, OEMs, and contractors to resolve equipment-related issues and evaluate new technologies.
Provide technical training to operators, technicians, and maintenance staff.

Required Skills/Abilities:
Experience with serialization systems (track-and-trace, vision systems, coding/printing technologies).
Familiarity with PLCs, HMIs, robotics, sensors, and line controls.
Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.
Experience leading equipment start-ups and managing vendor relationships.
Knowledge of materials handling, conveyors, and automated packaging technologies.

Education and Experience:
5–10 years of experience working with packaging equipment in the pharmaceutical, biotech, food, beverage, or consumer products industry. Liquids experience preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field preferred.
Strong knowledge of packaging equipment design, automation, mechanical systems, controls, and integration.
Experience with FAT/SAT, commissioning, and qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ).
Understanding of cGMP, FDA/regulated environments, and packaging line compliance requirements.
Proficiency with CAD tools and equipment layout design.
Strong problem-solving, project management, and cross-functional communication skills.

This is your opportunity to take hands-on ownership of packaging equipment and projects that help deliver essential medicines to hospitals and healthcare providers. You’ll work across engineering, operations, quality, maintenance, and equipment vendors to bring new capabilities online, solve complex challenges, and improve packaging-line performance in a cGMP environment. This is a direct-hire, urgent opening that will  be filled this year. An earlier start is preferred; however, a December start may be possible for the right candidate—so if you’re ready to make a move, we encourage you to apply now.
 

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