STEM OPT Packaging Engineer Jobs
Packaging Engineer roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in engineering or materials science. That gives you up to 36 months of work authorization, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and signs your I-983 training plan.
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INTRODUCTION
The SR, Packaging Engineer position typically reports to a senior leader in the Packaging and Device Technology department. The Senior Packaging Engineer is a technical resource responsible for assisting in the day-to-day operations ensuring the timely packaging of OAPI’s products. The position’s key responsibilities include the package and device development, component specifications and graphic arts related activities utilized in OAPI’s product portfolio.
This position is as an individual contributor role under general direction from his/her supervisor. The individual must have experience in managing complex multiple projects simultaneously involving both internal and external team members.
The position requires interfacing with various company entities including but not limited OPCJ, OPDC, and OCPI teams to provide support for packaging processes for new and life cycle products and devices. The position requires an individual who has sufficient knowledge and experience with packaging and device development as well as support systems.
This individual also supports packaging innovation and development projects within P&DT department. The individual may also work on department initiatives that may include but not limited to cost savings, line extensions, packaging transfers, line trials and packaging specification management. They work with internal resources and packaging suppliers to achieve functional packaging goals.
The position may involve travel up to 10 - 25% mainly to US CMO’s and Testing Lab facilities in the tri-state area but may include trips to Maryland or other US states.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ability to work with minimal manager oversight on daily work and new assignments.
- Assist and or lead in the packaging development process, including the creation of packaging designs, prototype development, and performance testing.
- Troubleshoot packaging concerns involving designs, materials and processes and provide creative, timely, and cost-effective recommendations or solutions.
- Generate component specifications and Bill-of-Materials (BOM) in coordination with CMOs.
- Generate protocols and reports in support of package testing including shipping and distribution, temperature controlled/refrigerated distribution, as well as engineering trials at CMOs.
- Work with various document management systems to generate and approve packaging documentation.
- Analyze product and/or device attributes and specifications to determine physical characteristics of item, special handling, environmental and safety requirements, and types of materials required for Quality and Safety of product packaging.
- Evaluate and recommend packaging suppliers/vendors; periodically assist in conducting vendor reviews. Have an understanding of packaging graphics development with an understanding of printing methods, color spaces, design capabilities.
- Work with commercial operations (package engineering, technical services, supply chain and distribution), quality management, marketing, finance and sourcing, as well as with packaging suppliers and CMOs.
- Assist in the identification and implementation of cost saving initiatives related to packaging materials, labor, efficiency, transportation, and storage.
- Work with CMOs to ensure that the packaging designs are optimized for manufacturability, to provide support to P&DT during new product-packaging qualifications and start-ups, oversee packaging activities and help support troubleshooting activities.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge/ Experience and Skills:
- Minimum of 2 to 5 years of related package development and engineering experience in pharmaceutical, medical device, or related field or other FDA regulated product environment.
- Demonstrated effective technical and leadership skills with track record of completing projects on time and accomplishing goals.
- Good planning, multi-tasking, and project management skills.
- Ability to function under direction of a manager as well as part of a team.
- Experienced in managing multiple priorities/projects simultaneously in fast-paced environment.
- Fundamental technical knowledge of packaging materials.
- Experienced in working with CMOs.
- Basic knowledge of pharmaceutical product dosage forms including tablets and parenterals, as well as devices.
- Basic understanding of the supply chain and distribution process.
- Sound understanding of qualification (IOQ), validation, stability testing, process validation/verification, quality assurance, and regulatory requirements as they pertain to packaging and devices.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective communications internally and with external manufacturing partners.
- Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud design software is a plus.
- Experience with Global Vision proofreading software a plus.
- Competency in use of business and project management computer software (such as MS Project and MS Office).
- Capable of transporting self to various work locations. If using own motor vehicle, must have current, valid US driver's license and proof of insurance coverage that at least meets current minimum requirements of the licensing state.
- Ability to communicate orally with customers, management, and coworkers is crucial. Regular use of the telephone and e-mail for communication is essential.
- Good reasoning ability is required to solve a wide range of business problems.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in Package Engineering (or equivalent) is preferred.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Competencies
Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.
Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.
Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.
Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.
Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.
COMPENSATION
- Minimum $96,112.00 - Maximum $143,750.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidate’s job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.
COMPANY BENEFITS
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.
Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://www.otsuka-us.com/careers-join-otsuka.
DISCLAIMER
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Accommodation Request.
STATEMENT REGARDING JOB RECRUITING FRAUD SCAMS
At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives. They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.
Please understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.
Otsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters.
To ensure that you are communicating about a legitimate job opportunity at Otsuka, please only deal directly with Otsuka through its official Otsuka Career website https://vhr-otsuka.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External.
Otsuka will not be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages or expenses resulting from job recruiting scams. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Otsuka’s call center at: 800-363-5670. If you believe you are the victim of fraud resulting from a job recruiting scam, please contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov, or your local authorities.
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Packaging Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Packaging Engineering roles typically align with CIP codes in mechanical, materials, or industrial engineering. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying, since a mismatch between your degree field and the role can disqualify you from the 24-month STEM extension.
Check E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension starts. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name to confirm enrollment status. A verbal promise from HR doesn't satisfy the USCIS requirement.
Target manufacturers with structured engineering rotations
Consumer goods, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical manufacturers frequently hire Packaging Engineers into rotational programs, which are easier to document in the I-983 training plan because learning objectives are already codified by the employer.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for STEM OPT employers
Search Migrate Mate for Packaging Engineer roles at companies with verified E-Verify enrollment and active engineering hiring. Filtering by STEM OPT eligibility upfront cuts the time you'd otherwise spend vetting individual employers manually.
Draft your I-983 training plan around measurable engineering goals
USCIS requires your I-983 to list concrete learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. For Packaging Engineers, frame goals around specific skills: structural design, material selection, sustainability standards, or validation testing. Generic descriptions increase the risk of a DSO or USCIS rejection.
Benchmark your offer against OFLC Wage Search data
Before signing an offer, run your job title and location through the OFLC Wage Search to confirm your salary meets the prevailing wage for Packaging Engineers in that area. Underpayment can signal a compliance problem that creates complications if the employer later files an H-1B visa petition for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Packaging Engineering role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title alone. Packaging Engineer positions typically qualify when your degree is classified under mechanical engineering, materials science, industrial engineering, or a related STEM field with an approved CIP code. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific degree qualifies. If it does, you're eligible for the 24-month extension on top of your initial 12-month OPT.
What does the I-983 training plan need to include for a Packaging Engineering role?
Your I-983 must list specific, measurable learning objectives that connect your day-to-day work to your STEM degree. For Packaging Engineers, that means documenting skills like package structural design, material compatibility testing, regulatory compliance, or sustainability optimization, not just restating your job description. Your employer signs the form and accepts responsibility for providing the training. USCIS or your DSO may review it, so vague language creates risk.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Use the E-Verify employer search tool to look up the company by name before your extension start date. Enrollment must be active at the time your STEM OPT begins, not just promised by an HR contact. If the company isn't listed, your extension cannot proceed with that employer. Many smaller packaging operations and contract manufacturers are not enrolled, so verify early in your offer negotiation.
What happens to my work authorization if my H-1B petition is filed before my STEM OPT expires?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT end date and the petition is timely filed for the October 1 start date, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization through September 30. You can continue working as a Packaging Engineer during that gap without interruption. USCIS issues a cap-gap extension automatically through your EAD and I-20 update from your DSO.
Where can I find Packaging Engineer jobs where employers already understand STEM OPT requirements?
Migrate Mate lists Packaging Engineer roles at employers with verified E-Verify enrollment, so you're not spending time on companies that can't legally hire you for STEM OPT. Searching there lets you focus on employers who have already demonstrated familiarity with work authorization requirements, which also tends to make the I-983 training plan process smoother since HR teams are more prepared.