J-1 Visa Packaging Engineer Jobs
Packaging Engineer roles in the United States are available to international professionals through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Intern program category, depending on your career stage. A designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 and partners with a U.S. host employer to structure a formal training program aligned with your engineering background.
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About the Role
The Packaging Engineering Co-op will support packaging engineering efforts focused on continuous improvement, cost reduction, and new product launches. This role provides hands-on experience working with real production lines, cross-functional teams, and packaging systems used in a global manufacturing environment. This position will be based out of Owatonna, Minnesota.
Responsibilities
- Provide day-to-day support for packaging change requests originating from production lines, including documentation updates and cross-functional coordination
- Support material cost-reduction and operational efficiency initiatives through data gathering, analysis, and implementation support
- Compile and finalize packaging part lists for the Owatonna and Ramsey facilities to ensure accuracy for procurement and production
- Consolidate and organize packaging documentation into a standardized “Packaging Book” to improve usability, version control, and knowledge transfer
- Identify and recommend common packaging components to reduce complexity, improve part reuse, and support standardization across product lines
- Create and maintain missing part numbers, drawings, and 3D models to expand sourcing options and improve supplier flexibility
- Assist with packaging design development, including CAD drawings and packing instructions, to support safe handling and consistent pack-out
- Support packaging readiness for new product launches by verifying materials, documentation, and line implementation details prior to ramp-up
Qualifications
- Undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related degree
- Expected graduation date between May 2027 – May 2028
- Comfortable working both independently and on cross-functional teams
- Course experience with SolidWorks and CAD required; ArtiosCAD experience preferred
- Strong problem-solving, organization, and communication skills
Requirements
- Hybrid schedule: remote Mondays and Fridays; on-site Tuesdays–Thursdays at the Owatonna, MN facility
- Available to work a full-time schedule (40 hours per week) for the duration of the co-op term
- Availability to work a minimum of one academic semester; six-month commitment preferred
- Willingness and ability to travel weekly to the Ramsey, MN site (preferred)
At Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, we think customer first, play as one team, and raise the bar on fitness innovation —in the gym and in every corner of our facilities. We persevere and get it done, with a clear purpose to inspire each other to live healthier lives. If you’re ready to bring out the best in people while powering the future of fitness manufacturing, we invite you to apply.
Want to take the next step in your career? Life Fitness / Hammer Strength takes pride in our talented employees and believes in providing opportunities for further growth and advancement. We encourage you to test your strengths, push your limits, and unleash your potential. If you feel the position is right for you, we invite you to apply. We’ll work with you closely to support you throughout the hiring process. If your CV/resume shows that your skills and experience have synergy with the job description, then we’ll hop on a call to get to know you and your experience and discuss the position in more detail. If it’s not the right opportunity this time, we’ll always let you know.
At Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, we believe in taking care of our team with a comprehensive total rewards package that includes competitive pay and a range of valuable benefits. The salary range for this position, intended for U.S. applicants, is $45,000 - $63,000 annually. This role is categorized as non-exempt and eligible for overtime in accordance with applicable law. The actual salary will vary based on applicant’s education, experience, skills, and abilities. The salary range reflected is based on a primary work location of Owatonna, MN and the actual salary may vary for applicants in a different geographic location.
Life Fitness / Hammer Strength offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time team members, including, but not limited to: a 401(k) savings plan with 4% employer match; medical, dental and vision insurance; parental, medical and military leaves of absence; paid time off, including 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year; paid vacation days beginning at 13 days annually; paid sick leave as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws; company paid short-term disability and optional long-term disability; health savings account; health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts; employee and dependent life insurance and supplemental life and AD&D insurance; hospital indemnity; identity protection; legal services; adoption assistance; tuition assistance; commuter benefits; employee discounts; and an employee assistance program that includes free counseling sessions. Eligibility for benefits is governed by the applicable plan documents and policies.
Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. Life Fitness / Hammer Strength complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding employment, recruitment and hiring. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
There continues to be a significant increase in phishing attempts across all industries where fraudsters are impersonating real employees and sending fictitious job offers to applicants in a scheme to obtain sensitive information. Please note that Life Fitness/Hammer Strength will never ask for your financial information at any part of the interview process, including the post-offer stage, and will only correspond through “@lifefitness.com” or "@indoorcycling.com" domain email addresses or “lifefitness@myworkday.com” for U.S. opportunities.
Life Fitness/Hammer Strength does not accept applications, inquiries or solicitations from unapproved staffing agencies or vendors.
Join us as we empower the world to work out, creating healthier lives together.
#LI-HYBRID
About the Role
The Packaging Engineering Co-op will support packaging engineering efforts focused on continuous improvement, cost reduction, and new product launches. This role provides hands-on experience working with real production lines, cross-functional teams, and packaging systems used in a global manufacturing environment. This position will be based out of Owatonna, Minnesota.
Responsibilities
- Provide day-to-day support for packaging change requests originating from production lines, including documentation updates and cross-functional coordination
- Support material cost-reduction and operational efficiency initiatives through data gathering, analysis, and implementation support
- Compile and finalize packaging part lists for the Owatonna and Ramsey facilities to ensure accuracy for procurement and production
- Consolidate and organize packaging documentation into a standardized “Packaging Book” to improve usability, version control, and knowledge transfer
- Identify and recommend common packaging components to reduce complexity, improve part reuse, and support standardization across product lines
- Create and maintain missing part numbers, drawings, and 3D models to expand sourcing options and improve supplier flexibility
- Assist with packaging design development, including CAD drawings and packing instructions, to support safe handling and consistent pack-out
- Support packaging readiness for new product launches by verifying materials, documentation, and line implementation details prior to ramp-up
Qualifications
- Undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related degree
- Expected graduation date between May 2027 – May 2028
- Comfortable working both independently and on cross-functional teams
- Course experience with SolidWorks and CAD required; ArtiosCAD experience preferred
- Strong problem-solving, organization, and communication skills
Requirements
- Hybrid schedule: remote Mondays and Fridays; on-site Tuesdays–Thursdays at the Owatonna, MN facility
- Available to work a full-time schedule (40 hours per week) for the duration of the co-op term
- Availability to work a minimum of one academic semester; six-month commitment preferred
- Willingness and ability to travel weekly to the Ramsey, MN site (preferred)
At Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, we think customer first, play as one team, and raise the bar on fitness innovation —in the gym and in every corner of our facilities. We persevere and get it done, with a clear purpose to inspire each other to live healthier lives. If you’re ready to bring out the best in people while powering the future of fitness manufacturing, we invite you to apply.
Want to take the next step in your career? Life Fitness / Hammer Strength takes pride in our talented employees and believes in providing opportunities for further growth and advancement. We encourage you to test your strengths, push your limits, and unleash your potential. If you feel the position is right for you, we invite you to apply. We’ll work with you closely to support you throughout the hiring process. If your CV/resume shows that your skills and experience have synergy with the job description, then we’ll hop on a call to get to know you and your experience and discuss the position in more detail. If it’s not the right opportunity this time, we’ll always let you know.
At Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, we believe in taking care of our team with a comprehensive total rewards package that includes competitive pay and a range of valuable benefits. The salary range for this position, intended for U.S. applicants, is $45,000 - $63,000 annually. This role is categorized as non-exempt and eligible for overtime in accordance with applicable law. The actual salary will vary based on applicant’s education, experience, skills, and abilities. The salary range reflected is based on a primary work location of Owatonna, MN and the actual salary may vary for applicants in a different geographic location.
Life Fitness / Hammer Strength offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time team members, including, but not limited to: a 401(k) savings plan with 4% employer match; medical, dental and vision insurance; parental, medical and military leaves of absence; paid time off, including 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year; paid vacation days beginning at 13 days annually; paid sick leave as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws; company paid short-term disability and optional long-term disability; health savings account; health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts; employee and dependent life insurance and supplemental life and AD&D insurance; hospital indemnity; identity protection; legal services; adoption assistance; tuition assistance; commuter benefits; employee discounts; and an employee assistance program that includes free counseling sessions. Eligibility for benefits is governed by the applicable plan documents and policies.
Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. Life Fitness / Hammer Strength complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding employment, recruitment and hiring. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
There continues to be a significant increase in phishing attempts across all industries where fraudsters are impersonating real employees and sending fictitious job offers to applicants in a scheme to obtain sensitive information. Please note that Life Fitness/Hammer Strength will never ask for your financial information at any part of the interview process, including the post-offer stage, and will only correspond through “@lifefitness.com” or "@indoorcycling.com" domain email addresses or “lifefitness@myworkday.com” for U.S. opportunities.
Life Fitness/Hammer Strength does not accept applications, inquiries or solicitations from unapproved staffing agencies or vendors.
See all 14+ Packaging Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Packaging Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Packaging Engineer
Document your engineering credentials before applying
Gather transcripts, degree certificates, and any professional engineering licensure from your home country. J-1 Trainee eligibility requires at least one year of post-degree work experience in packaging engineering or a directly related field, so gaps in documentation will delay your DS-2019 issuance.
Target host employers with structured training programs
Packaging engineering positions that qualify for J-1 require a formal training plan, not just a standard job offer. Prioritize manufacturers, consumer goods companies, and contract packaging firms that have previously hosted J-1 trainees and already know how to structure a compliant program.
Search J-1-aligned roles using Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter U.S. packaging engineering roles by employers with documented exchange visitor hosting history. This narrows your search to companies already familiar with the DS-2019 process, saving you from pitching the program structure from scratch.
Understand which J-1 category fits your stage
If you're a current university student, the Intern category applies. If you've graduated and have relevant work experience, apply under the Trainee category. Choosing the wrong category at the outset can invalidate your DS-2019 application entirely, regardless of employer support.
Confirm your host employer understands DS-2019 obligations
Before accepting an offer, verify that the employer is prepared to co-sign a formal Training or Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002) and coordinate with a designated sponsor organization. Many U.S. employers assume J-1 works like H-1B and are unprepared for the sponsor's oversight role.
Check home-residency requirement exposure early
Some J-1 Trainee participants are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement after their program ends. This affects your ability to change to H-1B or other work statuses. Confirm your exposure with your designated sponsor before you sign any training agreement.
Packaging Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Packaging Engineer JobsPackaging Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Packaging Engineer roles?
Most Packaging Engineer positions fall under the J-1 Trainee category, which requires a degree in a relevant field plus at least one year of post-graduation work experience. Current university students enrolled in a packaging science, materials, or engineering program may qualify under the Intern category instead. The specific category determines your maximum program duration and the structure of your DS-2019 application.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Packaging Engineer?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas or AIPT, not your host employer. The designated sponsor issues the DS-2019 form, reviews your training plan, and monitors program compliance. The packaging company where you work is the host organization. The two roles are legally separate, and your employer cannot act as the visa sponsor.
How do I find U.S. packaging employers that have hosted J-1 trainees before?
Migrate Mate lets you search for packaging engineering roles at U.S. companies with documented exchange visitor hosting experience. Targeting employers who have already gone through the DS-7002 training plan process means you won't need to educate them on J-1 basics during the offer stage, which significantly speeds up the DS-2019 submission timeline.
What does the training plan requirement mean for Packaging Engineers on J-1?
Your host employer must complete Form DS-7002, a structured Training or Internship Placement Plan, that outlines specific skills you'll develop, supervision arrangements, and a phase-by-phase schedule. For packaging roles, this typically covers areas like materials testing, production line processes, quality systems, and regulatory compliance. Generic job descriptions don't satisfy this requirement.
Can the two-year home residency requirement affect my plans after the J-1 program?
Yes. Depending on your home country's funding agreements with the U.S. and your field of specialization, you may be required to return home for two years before changing to an H-1B or applying for a green card. Packaging engineering is not automatically exempt. Confirm your exposure with your designated sponsor before you finalize your training agreement, since waivers exist but take time to obtain.
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