Senior Packaging Engineer

Company: AeroFarms
Location: Newark
Posted on: May 27, 2023

Job Description:

AeroFarms is seeking a Senior Packaging Engineer!Company SummaryThe world needs our help. Today 8 billion people live on the planet with less arable land than ever before. We need a solution to cultivate more using less and define the future of farming for generations to come.AeroFarms is part of that solution, transforming agriculture with people and planet in mind. As a Certified B Corporation and pioneer in indoor vertical farming, we use our proprietary technology to grow produce using up to 95% less water and no pesticides ever. The result is a portfolio of products that burst with flavor, taste, and nutritional value. Leading the industry, AeroFarms has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies five years in a row, topped Fortune Magazine's 2022 Change the World Company List, and was recognized as one of the 95 "Brands That Matter" by Fast Company.Now in over 1,000 stores across the United States, we are scaling our award-winning brand and technology around the world. As AeroFarms approaches our next phase of explosive growth, we seek passionate and motivated individuals to join our team. If a group of 300+ intellectually curious coworkers, expansive global operations, and our change-the-world mission resonates with you, apply today. Learn more about AeroFarms and join us to change the world as we grow the best plants possible for the betterment of humanity.Position Summary:The Senior Packaging Engineer is responsible for planning and executing projects related to packaging, packaging equipment, and shipping logistics. The role will be involved in all stages of a project: prototyping, planning & procurement, installation, and commissioning. The Senior Packaging Engineer will be working with all of the company's programs; travel to site locations during installation and commissioning is expected. The role is not to design new packages or novel packaging equipment, but rather to integrate and manage the work of OEM vendors to ensure internal project goals. This ensures work performed complies with state, local and Federal legal requirements and operates on the job with the highest of ethics.The Senior Packaging Engineer will report to the Director of Mechanical Design and will work closely with the leaders of each business program on specific project deliverables. Additionally, the Senior Packaging Engineer will work with the Marketing team to test the feasibility of new, sustainable, and cost-effective packaging methods for fresh-cut produce.The successful candidate must be experienced in budgeting and scheduling with strong verbal and writing skills. Having experience in food processing, pharmaceutical, or manufacturing projects, especially in preconstruction and project closeout, is a plus. The Senior Packaging Engineer will typically work on multiple projects simultaneously and must be able to work in a fast-paced, multi-task environment, balancing competing priorities and multiple project assignments.What You'll Do:

• Lead all projects related to design and installation of new packaging lines: from the moment our produce is cut to the moment it leaves the facility.
• Manages and coordinates all OEM vendors to find cost-effective solutions through equipment selection, layout development, and (if needed) customization.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Operations to trial new packaging types and to develop process improvements
• Collaborate with Farm Development and Engineering teams during project ideation to identify metrics on throughput balanced by capital and operating costs.
• Review and sign off during design stage gates, quotes, submittals, and commissioning documentation.
• Perform or delegate tasks as required including: hardware design review, specification & submittal writing, procurement & installation coordination, commissioning, and project closeout
• Work with Operations and Engineering to develop training material to handover to operators. Arranges site-specific training for owner/operator on the total system with vendors. Provides proper documentation and manuals for system operation.
• Provides technical assistance to System Technicians, Electrical Installers and System Designers. Provides technical assistance to subcontractors. Ensures that delegated tasks are done accurately, on-time, billed, within budget and within scope of the contract.
• Effectively communicates the status of projects to management as required and provides monthly forecasts of revenue, costs, and gross margin.
• Develops project plans and coordinates the required resources to ensure timely and cost effective installation and completion of assigned projects.
• Develops and maintains viable long-term relationships with contractors, clients, consultants and subcontractors. Attends job progress meetings as required.
• Follows all safety standards and has the highest regard for employee and subcontractor safety.
• Adhere and ensure AeroFarms staff and subcontractors adhere to all safety standardsWhat You'll bring:
  • Minimum of a technical Associates Degree with eight years of design and/or field experience in the packaging automation industry.
  • Demonstrated experience in design, installation, and/or commissioning of multiple packaging lines with a good track record of success
  • Relevant technical experience in controls theory, sensor operating & troubleshooting, and mechanical design.
  • Experience in scope and specification writing, vendor evaluation, knowledge of factory & site validations, and coordinating on-site installation with other trades and equipment.
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD to assist in project coordination or improvements; knowledge in other 3D modeling programs is preferred.
  • Knowledge of controls software and programming techniques, including PLC, Networking, and SCADA systems, and especially how their roles interact with the overall project.
  • Proficiency in writing and reviewing specification & submittal documentation in conjunction with the Design team.
  • Ability to identify issues on projects and communicate them to the Core Team before they become problems.Preferred Traits:
    • Ability to plan, perform, and communicate work independently, especially the ability to create schedules and maintain budgets.
    • Can communicate technical material to a non-technical audience.
    • Knowledge of the industry products, including a wide range of product lines, relative brand performance, and capabilities.
    • Experience in food safe design and/or participation in high-level food safety audits.
    • Working collaboratively as a Core Team Member under a Matrix Organization that relies on functional leaders acting within these empowered teams to deliver on Company Strategy and Performance expectations.
    • Knowledge of scheduling software and other project management tools.
    • Knowledge of Microsoft Office products and PDF editing software such as Adobe or Bluebeam.Summary of Benefits:
      • Base salary, annual company/performance bonus, eligible for equity, matching 401k with no vesting period, 4+ weeks of vacation/sick time/PTO, group health plan including medical, dental, vision etc*Unsolicited resumes shared withAeroFarmswill be considered property of AeroFarms with nofees to be paid or owed to any external vendor without a pre-existing, executed MSA, with specific engagement for the role in question.

Keywords: AeroFarms, Newark , Senior Packaging Engineer, Engineering , Newark, New Jersey