Technical Engineer - Packaging

The posting, as Green Thumb wrote it

The Role

As a Technical Engineer - Packaging at Green Thumb Industries (GTI), you will be responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing packaging and packaging automation solutions for our production processes across multiple facilities. In this role, you will balance various factors, including product protection, cost, regulatory requirements, and brand standards. Working collaboratively with GTI's Brand and Product Development team, you will transform packaging concepts into scalable production-ready solutions and develop automation systems that align with local volume requirements. Additionally, this role will support local facilities by addressing packaging and automation challenges. Our ideal candidate has expertise in equipment selection, equipment troubleshooting, and implementing automated packaging production processes within a manufacturing environment. We are open to finding the right candidate who is willing to travel for this role. Our priority locations are Chicago HQ, Mid-Atlantic region or near one of our manufacturing facilities with close proximity to a hub airport.

Responsibilities

Packaging Design and Development

• Collaborate with Brand to design, develop and validate packaging solutions that provide adequate protection for products during transportation, storage, and handling.
• Consider factors such as product fragility, size, weight, and shelf life when designing packaging.
• Collaborate with Process Engineer and Operations team to determine automated manufacturing processes for new GTI product packaging
• Coordinate with cross-functional team line validation studies for new packaging selections to determine the best option for the business.

Automation System Design & Implementation

• Research and select packaging automation solutions which fit the local sites’ volume, staffing, and regulatory needs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conceptualize and design packaging automation systems that align with production requirements and quality standards.
• Conduct financial analysis on automation solutions to ensure capital is spent efficiently and ensure the highest return on capital investment.
• Lead the integration of packaging automation solutions into existing manufacturing processes, ensuring seamless implementation and minimal disruption to operations.
• Serve as SME for packaging automation technology; execute equipment-level tech transfer including controls training and commissioning support, enabling site teams to maintain and operate new automation solutions independently.
• Work with the site team to ensure Autonomous Maintenance and Planned Maintenance systems are in place for new automation solutions.
• Lead IQ, OQ, and PQ validations for new and modified packaging equipment and processes; execute technical transfers to site production teams in partnership with Quality.
• Own the hardware side of label printing and marking equipment across all sites, including printer flee

[…]
ighly regulated environments highly desired.

• Experience driving efficiency and continuous improvement in an automated manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with packaging equipment including flow wrappers, combination scales, bag fillers, labelers, case packers, and related automated systems.
• Working knowledge of packaging materials, substrates, and sealing technologies including heat seal, pressure sensitive, induction, and tamper-evident applications as they relate to automated packaging line performance.
• Experience managing packaging engineering projects through IQ, OQ, and PQ validation processes.
• Knowledge of TPM-based continuous improvement methodology and lean manufacturing principles.
• Travel required up to 50% of the time to GTI manufacturing sites, often with short notice.

Skills

• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage large-scale projects from conception to implementation.
• Ability to work effectively with little supervision; highly independent / flexible setting priorities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and shift focus between tasks / projects.
• Ability to collaboratively lead / influence stakeholders across organizational functions.

Additional Requirements

• Must pass any and all required background checks.
• Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry.
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Must possess a valid state ID.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain state badging requirements to work in the cannabis industry (requires background check and state review).

#LI-PH1
The pay range is competitive and based on experience, qualifications, and/or location of the role. Positions may be eligible for a discretionary annual incentive program driven by organization and individual performance.

Green Thumb Pay Range
$95,000 — $125,000 USD