Principal Engineer, R&D - Packaging Materials & Performance

Job Description

As the Principal Engineer, Packaging Materials & Performance, you will lead the development and deployment of packaging performance requirements across the Kraft Heinz North America portfolio. The primary purpose of this role is to define the material, package, manufacturing, sustainability, and consumer performance requirements that enable successful packaging development, commercialization, and long-term business performance. These requirements will guide packaging design decisions, supplier alignment, technical validation, and commercialization activities across a diverse portfolio of packaging formats and technologies.

Success in this role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, strategic influence, prioritization, technical problem solving, thoughtful people development, and the ability to lead multiple complex initiatives simultaneously. Working closely with Packaging R&D, Innovation, Platform and Process Packaging, Quality, Operations, Procurement, and external partners, you will establish the technical foundation that ensures packaging systems meet functional, quality, shelf-life, manufacturing, consumer experience, sustainability, and regulatory expectations. Performance specifications are a key output of this work, but the role is fundamentally focused on technical packaging leadership, material performance understanding, and requirement development rather than specification administration.

This position also provides leadership for packaging sustainability compliance activities, including support of Extended Producer Responsibility requirements and emerging packaging regulations.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Lead packaging performance requirements. Define enterprise requirements for packaging materials, package systems, and packaging technologies across the portfolio.

• Serve as a technical authority. Provide expertise in barrier properties, mechanical performance, seal integrity, distribution durability, compatibility, machinability, sustainability performance, and consumer use.

• Translate needs into measurable criteria. Convert product, consumer, operational, supply chain, sustainability, regulatory, and business needs into clear performance targets and technical acceptance requirements.

• Guide material and design decisions. Establish performance targets that inform package development, material selection, supplier engagement, and commercialization choices.

• Define and execute validation. Establish testing methods, validation strategies, and acceptance criteria required to demonstrate package performance. Design and oversee packaging validation activities including laboratory testing, pilot plant evaluations, manufacturing trials, distribution testing, and commercial production startup support.

• Manage technical risk. Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to packaging materials, structures, manufacturing processes, and package performance.

• Enable commercialization. Build performance verification plans that support concept development, proof of concept, scale-up, launch, and ongoing product support.

• Solve complex performance problems. Use scientific and engineering principles, experimental design, and data analysis to investigate failures, close performance gaps, and reduce commercialization risk.

• Build organizational capability. Develop tools, training, and coaching that strengthen performance-based packaging development and technical requirement definition.

• Build technical capability. Coach and mentor team members in packaging materials, package performance, validation methodologies, commercialization, and technical problem solving. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to cross-functional packaging teams and project stakeholders.

• Measure effectiveness. Track outcomes such as commercialization success, reduced rework, improved launch readiness, fewer late-stage changes, and stronger package performance.

• Maintain requirement governance. Ensure performance requirements are measurable, technically justified, current, approved, and communicated through effective documentation and change-control practices.

People Management Responsibilities

• Direct leadership. Lead approximately one salaried team member.

Key Outputs & Deliverables

• Enterprise packaging performance standards and requirements.

• Material and package-system performance criteria for major packaging platforms.

• Validation strategies, testing methodologies, and technical acceptance criteria.

• Project-ready performance requirements that support innovation, productivity, quality, sustainability, and commercialization objectives.

• Technical risk assessments and mitigation plans for packaging systems and material technologies.

• Governed performance-requirement documentation that enables clear communication, supplier alignment, and consistent execution.

• Training materials, tools, and resources that strengthen packaging development practices across the organization.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• BS/MS/PhD degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering preferred, or related discipline.

• 6+ years of experience in packaging R&D, packaging development, materials engineering, commercialization, or related technical leadership roles (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred).

• Packaging-system understanding. Deep understanding of packaging material functionality, package-system interactions, manufacturing processes, and the impact of packaging decisions on product quality, consumer experience, operational performance, and sustainability outcomes. Proven experience establishing technical requirements, performance targets, validation methods, and acceptance criteria for packaging systems. Strong knowledge of packaging manufacturing and converting processes and their effect on package performance and commercialization. Familiarity with sustainable packaging technologies, circularity initiatives, regulatory requirements, and evolving packaging legislation.

• Commercialization leadership. Strong experience leading packaging development programs from concept through commercialization. Demonstrated ability to translate consumer, business, manufacturing, supply chain, and product needs into measurable technical requirements.

• Experimental design and analysis. Strong understanding of package testing methodologies, Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, data interpretation, and structured technical problem solving.

• Learning agility. Strong learning agility and ability to make sound technical decisions in ambiguous, dynamic, and fast-paced environments.

• Influence and stakeholder leadership. Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, build alignment across a complex network of partners, and lead technical decisions within a matrixed organization.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position operates primarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center (Chicago, IL).

Physical Requirements 

Physical demands include but not limited to:

• Regular office work

• Physical presence at labs and manufacturing sites (internal and external) to perform experimental and validation testing

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments

• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training

• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.