Packaging Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Packaging Engineer jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in food and beverage manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, and pharmaceutical production at every level from entry-level associate to senior principal. Chicago, Schaumburg, and Libertyville anchor most of the hiring, where established companies like Abbott Laboratories, Kraft Heinz, and Illinois Tool Works maintain large packaging engineering teams. Sustainable packaging design, materials selection, and validation testing are the most in-demand specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 20+ Packaging Engineer jobs
- Design and develop primary and secondary packaging components such as bottles, jars, tubes, pumps, caps, droppers, compacts, cartons, and labels for cosmetic products
- Collaborate with Product Development and Marketing to translate brand, consumer, and formula requirements into technically sound packaging solutions
- Lead packaging feasibility assessments, specifications, and timelines from concept through commercialization
- Conduct and oversee packaging testing including compatibility, stability, transport, drop, compression, leakage, and line trials
- Support qualification and onboarding of new packaging materials, components, and suppliers
- Identify and implement cost-saving, sustainability, and performance improvement opportunities
- Ensure packaging designs comply with applicable regulatory, sustainability, and quality standards (e.g., FDA, ISO, ASTM, sustainability guidelines)
- Develop and maintain packaging specifications, drawings, BOMs, and technical documentation
- Provide technical support during manufacturing scale-up, validation, and production launch
- Troubleshoot packaging-related issues in manufacturing, filling, and distribution
- Stay current on cosmetic packaging trends, materials, innovations, and sustainability solutions
- Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
- 2–5+ years of packaging engineering experience, preferably in cosmetics, personal care, or consumer packaged goods (CPG)
- Strong knowledge of cosmetic packaging materials (plastics, glass, aluminum, paperboard) and component functionality
- Experience with packaging testing methods and standards
- Familiarity with cosmetic filling lines and manufacturing processes
- Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, ArtiosCAD, or similar)
- Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Experience with sustainable packaging initiatives (recyclability, PCR materials, material reduction)
- Knowledge of global cosmetic regulatory requirements
- Prior experience working directly with overseas packaging suppliers
- Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing experience
- Technical problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Effective communication and collaboration
- Innovation mindset
- Results-driven and solutions-oriented
- Primarily sedentary work performed in an office environment, including extended periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Frequent walking and standing required when working on the production floor, attending meetings, or engaging with customers.
- Exposure to manufacturing environments, which may include noise, dust, temperature variations, and the need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Ability to lift and carry materials such as files, laptops, or lab equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Occasional travel between manufacturing sites or to attend off-site meetings, trainings, or conferences.
See All 20 Packaging Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Packaging Engineer JobsPackaging Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Packaging Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
- Transportation & Logistics
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in packaging engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in packaging engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related technical field
- Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD for packaging design and development
- Hands-on experience with packaging materials including corrugated, flexible film, and rigid plastic
- Familiarity with ISTA or ASTM testing standards for packaging performance validation
- Knowledge of FDA regulations and GMP requirements relevant to food or pharmaceutical packaging
- Experience coordinating with contract manufacturers and suppliers throughout the packaging development cycle
Packaging Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a packaging engineer in Illinois?
Most packaging engineers in Illinois enter the field with a bachelor's degree in packaging science, mechanical engineering, or materials science, as Illinois does not require a state-issued license specific to packaging engineering. Employers in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs favor candidates who have completed internships with consumer goods or pharmaceutical manufacturers. Professional credentials such as the Certified Packaging Professional designation from the Institute of Packaging Professionals, headquartered in Illinois, strengthen a candidate's profile considerably.
Which companies hire packaging engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring packaging engineers in Illinois right now include Conagra Brands, ADM, and Shure, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of food, beverage, and healthcare manufacturers means demand is spread across both global headquarters and large regional production facilities throughout the Chicago metro and collar counties.
Which Illinois cities have the most packaging engineer jobs?
Chicago, Oak Brook, and Buffalo Grove are the Illinois cities with the most packaging engineer openings. Chicago drives volume through its headquarters density for consumer packaged goods and pharmaceutical companies, while Schaumburg and Libertyville attract openings from major corporate campuses like those operated by Abbott Laboratories and Motorola Solutions, which anchor significant engineering headcount in the northern suburbs.
Are there remote packaging engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 63% of packaging engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most packaging roles, which require physical access to materials, testing equipment, and production lines. The portions of the role most compatible with remote work are specifications writing, supplier communication, and design review rather than prototyping or line validation.
How can I get hired as a packaging engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a co-op or internship with a large Illinois consumer goods or pharmaceutical employer, several of which recruit directly from packaging science and engineering programs at Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Illinois. Entry-level titles like packaging technician, quality associate, or materials coordinator at companies like Kraft Heinz or Baxter International often serve as the first step. Earning the Institute of Packaging Professionals' Fundamentals of Packaging Technology certificate also signals commitment to hiring managers when your experience is limited.
Where can I find and apply to packaging engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to packaging engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 20 Packaging Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Packaging Engineer Jobs