Packaging Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Packaging Engineer jobs in Virginia are active across the state's food and beverage manufacturing, defense and government contracting, pharmaceutical, and consumer products sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level roles through senior and principal engineers. The busiest hiring metros are Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads area, where established employers such as Nestlé, Leidos, and Unilever maintain significant operations. The most in-demand specialties include sustainable packaging design, materials testing and validation, and regulatory compliance for FDA-regulated products. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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POSITION SUMMARY
The Packaging Process Engineer II will function as an integral part in the creation of pen assembly and packaging operations at Civica's first fill-finish manufacturing facility dedicated to the manufacture and supply of essential generic sterile injectable medications in Petersburg, Virginia.
Key duties include coordinating equipment vendor activities through design, fabrication, installation, qualification and serving as front-line technical support to Manufacturing. Responsible for pen assembly, packaging equipment, and line-level serialization systems. The successful candidate will routinely interface with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and other internal functions as well as outside suppliers.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Management of equipment vendors including the execution of FAT & SAT, on-site maintenance visits, management of continuous improvement projects & spare parts criticality assessments.
- Complete FAT, SAT, Commissioning and Engineering Studies.
- Support Validation activities such as IQ, OQ, and PQ.
- Prepare the required cGMP documentation to support production operations.
- Coordinate technical deliverables across all business functions to support successful processes and product launches.
- Lead and participate in cross-functional teams to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, drive continuous improvement, and process optimization using tools such as DMAIC and FMEA.
- Ability to quickly adapt and adjust priorities in response to unforeseen disruptions in operations.
- Manage changes for responsible equipment as per site change control procedures.
- Participate in regulatory inspections (e.g. FDA, DEA audits).
- Lead improvement of equipment reliability through CI and TPM processes to support the transition from project level to sustainable manufacturing/ramp up production.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)
- Exposure to pharmaceutical manufacturing and operations including pen assembly, packaging equipment, and line-level serialization systems preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to quickly adapt and adjust priorities.
- Project management experience.
- Ability to work effectively with outside suppliers.
- Knowledge of Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on approach.
- Familiarity with engineering and architectural/construction drawings is highly advantageous.
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to accept ownership of new technical challenges and assigned projects.
- Passion for Civica's mission to provide affordable quality generic medicines that are accessible to all.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- 5+ years of experience within the discipline is required.
- B.S. in Engineering or Science discipline required.
- Experience working in a cGMP environment preferred.
- Ability to manage teams to execute activities on the manufacturing floor.
- Experience in a data-driven approach to root cause analysis and prioritization of continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Six Sigma, 5-why, fishbone diagram).
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities as project demands and business needs change.
- CQV experience and greenfield facility start-up experience preferred.
- Ability to explain complex technical issues to external customers/agencies.
- Demonstrated excellence in planning and organizational skills.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands or fingers and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
See All 5 Packaging Engineer Jobs in Virginia
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Find Packaging Engineer JobsPackaging Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Packaging Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
- Chemicals & Materials
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in packaging engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in packaging science, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in CAD software and packaging design tools such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD
- Experience with materials testing, structural analysis, and package validation processes
- Familiarity with FDA, ISTA, and ASTM packaging standards relevant to regulated industries
- Knowledge of sustainable packaging materials and environmental compliance requirements
- Strong project management skills with the ability to coordinate across cross-functional teams
Packaging Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a packaging engineer in Virginia?
Becoming a packaging engineer in Virginia typically starts with a bachelor's degree in packaging science, mechanical engineering, or industrial engineering. Virginia does not require a state-issued license specific to packaging engineering, but employers in pharmaceutical and defense sectors often prefer candidates who hold or are pursuing a Professional Engineer credential through the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects. Relevant certifications from the Institute of Packaging Professionals, such as the Certified Packaging Professional designation, strengthen candidacy considerably.
Which companies hire packaging engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring packaging engineers in Virginia right now include Lidl, PepsiCo, and Civica Rx, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's mix of food manufacturing, life sciences, and defense contracting means packaging engineers here often work within highly regulated supply chains that demand strong compliance and validation experience.
Which Virginia cities have the most packaging engineer jobs?
Richmond, Arlington, and Petersburg have the most packaging engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia's concentration of defense contractors and government-adjacent technology firms drives demand there, while Richmond's deep food and beverage manufacturing base and Hampton Roads' logistics and consumer goods operations account for strong hiring in those markets.
Are there remote packaging engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. Packaging engineering is largely a hands-on role requiring lab testing, production floor access, and physical prototype evaluation, which limits full remote options. About 0% of packaging engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be project management, specification writing, or supplier qualification tasks that do not require daily on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a packaging engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or co-op during a packaging science or engineering degree program, as Virginia-based food manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies in the Richmond corridor regularly take on students for hands-on development cycles. New graduates can also target quality assurance technician or materials testing associate roles as lateral entries. Pursuing the Associate Packaging Professional credential from the Institute of Packaging Professionals and building a portfolio of design or testing projects gives candidates a measurable edge with Virginia employers.
Where can I find and apply to packaging engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to packaging engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings updated regularly. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
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