Material Handling / Packaging Engineer - Automotive

Job Description:

This opportunity requires 50% overnight travel to our client’s U.S. locations.

General Summary:

Project manage the design, development, testing, procurement and validation of automotive (or similar) packaging. Includes steel shipping racks, custom and standard returnable containers, and expendable containers, for both domestic and international applications.

Essential Job Functions:

• Initiate and maintain customer specific packaging database for assigned parts.
• Perform change management to assess impact of changes in part physical characteristics, suppliers, and process requirements.
• Coordinate with customer stakeholders, logistics partners, and part suppliers to establish project schedule, design criteria, procurement strategy, and fleet size requirements.
• Plan and direct activities concerned with the design, prototyping, testing and delivery of containers. Includes design reviews, 1st article inspections, laboratory (vibration, impact, compression, drop, etc.) testing, over-the-road testing, problem solving and troubleshooting.
• Provide on-site launch support to validate packaging meets program requirements. Monitor supplier conformance.
• Schedule and hold coordination meetings. Write meeting minutes. Participate in open issues meetings and presentations.
• Consult with customer departments and packaging suppliers to determine costs and feasibility of producing proposed packaging.
• May advise customers on efficient packaging procedures, innovations in packaging materials and various applications within the supply chain.
• Support the development of presentation materials for customer presentations and may lead customer presentations.
• Lead and manage individual projects in a team environment.

Employment Qualifications:

Education:

• BS degree in Packaging from an accredited university preferred or a 4-year degree in an engineering discipline.

Experience :

• 6+ years of progressively more responsible previous experience.

Skills/Competencies:

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of software, with strength in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized and able to effectively manage a large amount of data and communications.
• Basic proficiency in AutoCAD is preferred but not required.

Since 1982, Ghafari Associates has taken a personal approach to highly technical projects in complex markets including: aviation, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, hospitality, K-12 and higher education. As a global team of engineers, architects, process designers, and consultants we blend insight with technological innovation helping clients elevate their efficiency, sustainability, and impact.

Continuously rated a Top Workplace to Work, Crain’s Cool Place to Work, and a Best and Brightest company to work for in the US, Ghafari has made a name for itself through our culture, employee benefits, and portfolio of projects.

Over a quarter of Ghafari employees have diverse identities that are championed by our growing approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Ghafari supports hybrid and in-office work environments.

Through career mapping, Ghafari employees are encouraged to seek licensure, coached for knowledge growth, and provided opportunities for management and mentorship roles if interested. Our robust internship program recognizes undergraduate and graduate students from across the world, having an over 90% success rate of hiring our interns after graduation.

Join our team and work on forward-thinking projects all around the world. Ghafari’s global reach creates an environment where individuals can build professional relationships while building sustainable and cutting-edge facilities. Are you ready to take that leap? Apply Now!

Ghafari Associates, LLC is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. If you need an accommodation due to a disability in order to use our online system to apply for a position at Ghafari Associates, LLC, you may apply for positions in the following ways:

Connect to our job portal (
By fax at 313.436.8624; Attn: Human Resources
By mail at 17101 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126; Attn: Human Resources
In person at 17101 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126.
By email at [email protected]
If there are any questions or additional accommodations that are required, please contact 313.441.3000 for assistance.

It is Ghafari Associates, LLC’s policy not to discriminate in its employment and personnel practices because of a person’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, weight, height, marital, pregnancy or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, status as a qualified individual with a disability or a protected veteran, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance.