Job Information
Actalent Senior Packaging Engineer in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Senior Packaging Engineer
Job Description:
The Senior Packaging Engineer delivers both remote and onsite support to evaluate, design, and advance secondary packaging solutions for NextGen cytokines and cell and gene therapy products. This role ensures that packaging strategies align with regulatory expectations, sustainability goals, variable product volumes, and future packaging automation, while maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and compliance.
Responsibilities:
Evaluate potential packaging materials to ensure alignment with internal requirements and applicable regulatory and industry standards, including USP, EP, ISO 11607, ISO 13485, EPR, and other global packaging standards.
Assess secondary packaging materials and clean room sleeves to protect closed-process systems from mechanical stress and cold storage conditions, including ambient and cryogenic temperatures.
Identify, define, and develop a range of packaging sizes and configurations that meet diverse customer needs and product formats.
Identify, recommend, and help implement testing methods to support design verification and validation, materials evaluation, vendor qualification, and packaging validation activities.
Develop recommendations for automated secondary packaging solutions that can scale with increasing production volumes and evolving product portfolios.
Lead process optimization initiatives focused on improving packaging line efficiency, reducing scrap, enhancing robustness, and increasing sustainability.
Design and troubleshoot installation, operational, and performance qualification (IOPQ) protocols, as well as transit simulations and cryogenic stress tests for packaging systems.
Create and recommend testing protocols that are consistent with industry standards and best practices for sterile barrier systems and aseptic packaging.
Evaluate supplier data, challenge assumptions, and qualify new packaging materials or components to ensure they meet performance and regulatory requirements.
Apply FMEA, hazard analysis, and root-cause investigation techniques to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve packaging-related issues.
Navigate and interpret regulatory documentation to ensure packaging solutions meet global compliance requirements.
Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Laboratory Operations, Facilities, and other cross-functional partners to integrate packaging solutions into operational workflows.
Document packaging designs, testing protocols, qualification activities, and results with a high level of accuracy and clarity.
Participate in problem-solving activities that improve packaging performance, product protection, and overall system reliability.
Contribute to a data-driven, fast-paced, and iterative development environment by providing technical insights and continuous improvement recommendations.
Essential Skills:
Strong hands-on understanding of aseptic packaging, sterile barrier systems, and packaging materials.
Ability to evaluate different packaging materials, sizes, volumes, and systems under a range of mechanical stresses and temperatures, including ambient and down to approximately -80°C.
Proficiency in materials science, including mechanical properties, barrier performance, and failure mechanisms relevant to packaging applications.
Ability to create and recommend testing protocols that align with industry standards for packaging verification and validation.
Experience designing and troubleshooting IOPQ protocols, transit simulations, and cryogenic stress tests for packaging and shipping systems.
Comfort and fluency in navigating regulatory documentation such as USP, EP, ISO 11607, ISO 13485, EPR, and other global packaging standards.
Skill in using FMEA, hazard analysis, and root-cause investigation tools to address packaging issues and improve system robustness.
Ability to evaluate supplier data critically, challenge assumptions, and qualify new packaging materials or components.
Familiarity with thermal modeling, shipper qualification, and temperature-excursion mitigation strategies.
Strong documentation skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate, and compliant technical records.
Effective verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and reporting.
A safety- and compliance-oriented mindset in all aspects of packaging design and execution.
Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
5–10 years of experience in packaging engineering, ideally within biologics, cell therapy, gene therapy, or sterile pharmaceutical environments.
Experience with aseptic fill-finish operations, cryogenic storage systems, and packaging validation activities.
Experience working with regulatory documentation, including USP, EP, ISO 11607, ISO 13485, EPR, and other relevant standards.
Additional Skills & Qualifications:
Preferred experience with global regulatory submissions related to packaging and product distribution.
Independence and initiative, with the ability to set up, maintain, and troubleshoot packaging systems with minimal oversight.
Comfort working with fast-changing priorities and rapid iteration cycles in a development or manufacturing setting.
Strong teamwork and collaboration skills to coordinate effectively with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Laboratory Operations, Facilities, and other stakeholders.
Demonstrated problem-solving abilities and a passion for hands-on work with a variety of packaging and laboratory equipment.
Interest in ensuring quality and compliance while achieving tangible, measurable accomplishments in packaging performance and efficiency.
Ability to work within a data-driven decision-making culture and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Minneapolis, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $65.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 29, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.