Packaging Engineer
Description
Adept Group offers an award-winning workplace for exceptional packaging industry talent. We work on a range of innovative projects for iconic brand owners. Our technically gifted team collaborates to produce unparalleled results.
We offer a great place to showcase your expertise and build upon your skillset. All while having fun with amazing people from a variety of diverse backgrounds. We’re driven, inspirational and most importantly, human.
We offer a flexible, creative culture focusing on 3 pillars - our environment, our communities, and our health and well-being. Join a team committed to building a sustainable future!
The Opportunity
Adept Group is seeking a Packaging Engineer (1099 Contractor). The ideal candidate would have 5+ years of hands-on packaging engineering experience in industrial, machinery, or heavy-equipment manufacturing. It is preferred that this person be located in CST or be willing to work CST hours.
This is a 1099 Contractor (Independent Contractor) opportunity for 20-40 hours per week for 3 months with possibility of extension.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct packaging assessments on-site at multiple client facilities, mainly in WI and AR, to review how dock levelers and related components (controller boxes, hydraulic cylinders, hardware kits, seals, and enclosures) are currently packaged, secured, and shipped.
- Evaluate and document existing packaging, blocking, and strapping methods used for large welded steel assemblies shipped on flatbeds and open trailers.
- Identify why damage is happening during transit, such as paint scratches, shifting components, loose strapping, or weather exposure, and determine whether it’s caused by materials, handling methods, or lack of process control.
- Review current labeling practices (placement, materials, and adhesives) and recommend practical fixes to improve durability, weather resistance, and legibility.
- Work closely with the Quality and Operations teams at both sites to understand how packaging is being handled today and capture any tribal knowledge that isn’t documented.
- Develop clear, visual packaging and labeling SOPs that outline the right materials, steps, and inspection points for each dock leveler design.
- Define acceptance standards for shipped products — such as what level of cosmetic damage is acceptable, how labels should appear, and what must be included with each unit.
- Create and present a prioritized improvement plan that lists quick fixes, higher-risk problems, and longer-term changes needed across the two facilities.
- Share findings and recommendations with client’s leadership team and support follow-up discussions around process alignment between plants.
Typical Day-to-Day:
- While On-Site:
- Spend time on the production floor observing and documenting how dock levelers and accessories are packaged, blocked, strapped, and prepared for shipping.
- Talk with operators, supervisors, and quality staff to gather “tribal knowledge” and understand how packaging decisions are currently made.
- Review the packaging materials being used, straps, edge protectors, wood blocking, pallets, adhesives, and labels, to evaluate consistency and performance.
- Assess how finished units are stored outdoors before shipment and identify risks like moisture, fading, or label failure.
- While Remote:
- Meet regularly with client's Quality and Operations leaders to connect packaging conditions with customer complaints or warranty issues.
- Draft and refine packaging documentation and process maps based on what’s observed at both Germantown and Malvern facilities.
- Check in with Adept’s internal team to share progress and confirm that the proposed approach and deliverables stay aligned with project goals.
- Develop and deliver visual summaries or presentations that include annotated photos, key observations, and clear improvement recommendations.
- Help create simple training tools and reference materials so operators can follow the new SOPs consistently once finalized.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of hands-on packaging engineering experience in industrial, machinery, or heavy-equipment manufacturing (for example, metal fabrication, automotive, or dock systems).
- Proven experience developing & testing protective packaging systems such as blocking, bracing, and load securement solutions for large, heavy, non-crated products shipped on flatbeds or open trailers.
- Experience developing and testing durable labels to withstand use environments
- Experience evaluating and developing corrugated packaging systems for products and kits
- Strong background in assessing packaging processes on-site and converting findings into clear SOPs and easy-to-follow documentation.
- Good understanding of labeling materials and adhesives for metal parts that are exposed to outdoor conditions, including how to test for adhesion, legibility, and durability.
- Experience developing and maintaining packaging documentation, such as acceptance criteria, inspection checklists, and process standards.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with Operations, Quality, and Manufacturing.
- Ability to work independently on-site, manage time effectively, and deliver professional documentation without daily supervision.
Nice-to-Haves:
- Experience working in industries like dock equipment, heavy machinery, automotive, or construction equipment packaging, especially handling welded or large fabricated parts.
- Comfort using specification systems (Excel-based tools, ERP spec libraries, or PLM systems such as SAP).
- Experience leading packaging standardization projects across multiple facilities or product lines.
- Basic understanding of coatings, paint protection, and corrosion prevention for products stored or used outdoors.
- Familiarity with labeling materials and adhesive suppliers (for example, 3M or Avery Dennison) and testing methods for outdoor performance.
- Awareness of sustainability practices in industrial packaging, such as reusable materials or reducing waste.
- Comfortable performing root-cause analysis using photos, inspection data, or process observations.
- Experience creating training or “how-to” visual guides to support operator training and consistent packaging execution.
Disclaimer:
This is a 1099 independent contractor position. As such, this role is not eligible for company-sponsored benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, or retirement plans. The contractor is responsible for managing their own tax withholdings, insurance coverage, and other obligations associated with independent contractor status.
This is a 1099 independent contractor position. As such, this role is not eligible for company-sponsored benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, or retirement plans. The contractor is responsible for managing their own tax withholdings, insurance coverage, and other obligations associated with independent contractor status.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.