R&D Engineer - Flexibles

From a small family business to a multi-billion dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive.

Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.

Reporting directly to the Associate Director of Research & Development as an R&D Engineer, you will drive technical programs focused on development of new flexible packaging products and/or technologies. In this role, you will lead all development and technical activities for assigned projects, delivering new packaging solutions to many of the world’s most recognized brands. This position is located at our corporate headquarters in Hartsville, SC. This is a progression position and level will be based on candidate experience and business needs.

What you'll be doing:

• Working closely with key stakeholders to understand technical targets for new product developments.
• Leading technical activities to develop new flexible packaging structures, capabilities, or technology advancements.
• Translating market requirements into Sonoco specifications and designing products that meet these requirements.
• Developing and leading pilot, production, and filling/packaging trials.
• Interacting with business leaders and customers to discuss development activities and needs.
• Coordinating activities to accomplish tasks using available internal and external resources.
• Maintaining knowledge of latest material and process developments that can be leveraged and shared within the business.
• Building subject matter expertise for key focus areas and acting as a consultant within the business for these areas.
• Preparing written and verbal presentations, project plans, updates, and reports for internal and external use.
• Travel to suppliers, customers, conferences, and other innovation partners
• Collaborate with marketing, supply management, engineering, sustainability, and other functions to identify needs and solutions

This role is located at our Corporate Headquarters in beautiful Hartsville, SC and close to exciting destinations. (Myrtle Beach, SC Charleston, SC, Columbia, SC and Charlotte, NC)

We'd love to hear from you if:

• Education: Bachelor of Science, preferably in Engineering, Science, Packaging, or Plastics related field required
• Experience: 5-10 years in a Product Development or Manufacturing role. Preferred manufacturing processes include blown film production, extrusion coating and laminating, printing (roto/flexo), pouching and form/fill/seal conversion.
• Material science (OPP, PET, PE, Nylon, paper, and foil) knowledge
• New product development, packaging applications,
• Project management - Multitasking, prioritization, time and budget management, planning and executing
• Technical writing & oral communication
• Blown film production
• Extrusion coating and extrusion lamination
• Retail confection, bakery, snack, coffee, frozen food, beverage, thermally processed, or personal care markets would be a plus.

Compensation:

• The annual base salary range for the Research & Development Engineer II role is from $72,975 to $87,570.
• The annual base salary range for the Research & Development Engineer III role is from $89,925 to $107,910.
• The annual base salary range for the Research & Development Engineer IV role is from $104,325 to $125,190.