Packaging Engineer

ABOUT US

GildedBox transforms corporate gifting into brand‑building experiences that help our top-tier clients open doors, deepen relationships, and drive results that traditional marketing outreach can't match. We craft custom luxury packaging in‑house, curate premium products from world‑renowned brands, and add thoughtful personalization, turning every unboxing into a memorable moment for our clients and their recipients.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Packaging Engineer is a hands-on technical role responsible for translating product ideas into manufacturable packaging systems at GildedBox. This includes developing dielines and templates, building functional prototypes, designing and testing production jigs, rationalizing SKUs for production efficiency, and documenting assembly processes. The role sits at the intersection of design intent and production reality, requiring both engineering precision and a working knowledge of how the production floor actually runs.

This is an execution role and here’s what success looks like: dielines are correct the first time, prototypes accurately predict production behavior, every engineered SKU has a documented assembly process and time study before it reaches the floor, and production jigs eliminate variability rather than introduce it. The right person for this seat takes pride in precision, thinks one step ahead of the bottleneck, and partners closely with Production and Quality to make sure what gets engineered can actually be built consistently at scale.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Packaging System Engineering & Dieline Development

• Develop dielines and templates for new and revised SKUs in the GildedBox catalog
• Engineer packaging and insert systems that hit the brief on aesthetics, durability, and manufacturability
• Adjust and refine previously engineered SKUs as production data, customer feedback, or new equipment capabilities surface improvements
• Maintain dieline file standards and version control so the production floor always runs from the current revision
• Translate Design intent into production-ready files without losing the original creative vision

Prototyping & Functional Testing

• Build functional prototypes for new SKUs as part of the development process
• Conduct assembly, drop, and unboxing tests to validate fit, finish, and durability under realistic handling conditions
• Document test results, failure modes, and corrective actions
• Iterate prototypes quickly until the design meets performance specifications

Production Process Integration

• Design and build mass production jigs for gluing, printing, engraving, stamping, and assembly operations
• Document the assembly process step-by-step for every engineered SKU and integrate it into current production practices
• Conduct time studies to establish accurate production cost metrics
• Update jigs and process documentation when production feedback indicates a better way

SKU Rationalization

• Maintain structural consistency across product lines
• Rationalize unnecessary variations to simplify production setups and reduce changeover time
• Identify SKUs that can share components, dielines, or jigs to reduce inventory complexity
• Support the SKU launch cascade by delivering complete engineering packages on schedule

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Work alongside Design to ensure engineering constraints are surfaced early in the creative process
• Communicate engineering status and bottlenecks proactively
• Own engineering documentation as a living asset

QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant degree (Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Packaging Design, or related field)
• 2+ years of packaging engineering experience, preferably in a high-SKU, high-customization manufacturing environment
• Hands-on proficiency with 2D and 3D engineering/design software (ArtiosCAD, Adobe Illustrator, or equivalent)
• Working knowledge of packaging standards and test methods
• Strong attention to detail and highly organized
• High integrity, reliable, and accountable

This is an IN-OFFICE position in Buffalo Grove, IL. You must live withing commutable distance and be in the office daily. We do not offer relocation.

Classification: Full-Time, On-Site

Schedule: M-F, 9-5pm

Reports To: Director of Operation

Compensation Range: $55,000 - $65,000 annual salary