Packaging Engineer
Sparrows Point, Maryland
Full-time | 100% On-Site
Location: 1900 Finishing Mill Road, Suite 100, Sparrows Point, MD 21219
About Arnold Packaging
For over 90 years, Arnold Packaging has been a trusted industry leader, going beyond traditional distribution to act as an in-house manufacturer and custom design partner. We combine advanced material science, expert packaging engineering, and automation capabilities to protect our clients’ products and maximize their profitability. Whether designing heavy-duty wood containers, high-performance corrugated solutions (such as our proprietary ECORRCRATE™), or precision foam cushioning, our engineering team delivers innovation from concept to production.
Position Summary
We are seeking a detail-oriented, innovative Packaging Engineer to lead the structural design and optimization of custom packaging solutions across our corrugate and wood manufacturing operations. In this role, on site at our new modern facility at Tradepoint Atlantic in Sparrows Point, MD, you will bridge the gap between client requirements and shop-floor production, engineering high-performance, cost-effective, and sustainable packaging. You will work closely with our sales, customer service, and manufacturing teams to design containers that minimize damage, reduce shipping weights, and comply with strict industrial and military standards (MIL-SPEC / ISPM-15).
Key Responsibilities
Custom Design & Prototyping:
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- Design custom wood containers, crates, skids, and single/double/triple-wall corrugated structures (including cross-laminated solutions like ECORRCRATE™) utilizing CAD software and structural design tools.
- Create precise 2D/3D prototypes, layout specifications, and drawings for client approval and manufacturing execution.
Material & Performance Optimization:
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- Evaluate client product specifications, fragile thresholds, and supply chain environments to engineer effective blocking, bracing, and custom foam inserts.
- Balance structural integrity with cost-efficiency, striving to reduce dimensional weight, material waste, and total cost of ownership (TCO) for customers.
Compliance & Quality Assurance:
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- Ensure wood packaging designs comply with ISPM-15 export regulations, heavy manufacturing guidelines, and complex military specifications (MIL-SPEC).
- Conduct rigorous testing (e.g., drop testing, compression testing, and shock evaluation) to guarantee performance standards are met.
Manufacturing & Cross-Functional Collaboration:
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- Act as the technical subject matter expert, translating engineering designs smoothly into the wood and corrugated manufacturing production floors.
- Collaborate with the technical sales team during client consultations to assess needs, troubleshoot field challenges, and recommend optimal packaging systems.
Qualifications & Skills
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
Experience:
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- 5+ years of experience in structural packaging design, preferably within a manufacturing or industrial packaging environment.
- Hands-on familiarity with both corrugated and wood packaging manufacturing processes.
Technical Skills:
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- Proficiency in structural design software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Pallet/Crate Design System, or similar CAPE/TOPS palletization software).
- Deep understanding of material characteristics (corrugated flute structures, lumber grades, heat-treatment standards, and protective foams).
Knowledge Base: Familiarity with ISTA test procedures, ISPM-15 export standards, and MIL-SPEC requirements is a distinct advantage.
Soft Skills: Excellent problem-solving skills, strong communication abilities to interface with both shop-floor builders and corporate clients, and the flexibility to adapt in a fast-paced environment.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
- A collaborative, family-oriented company culture backed by decades of stability and continuous growth.
- Opportunities for hands-on innovation and direct impact on high-profile commercial, industrial, and defense projects.