About the Role:
At Maghreb Papier Sustainable Packaging Ltd, we develop practical and environmentally responsible packaging solutions for manufacturers, retailers, and distribution partners across the United Kingdom. Our work combines material performance, production efficiency, regulatory compliance, and sustainable design.
We are looking for a Principal Packaging Engineer who can lead the development and improvement of fibre based packaging products. You will take ownership of technically complex packaging projects, guide engineering decisions, and work closely with production, procurement, quality, sustainability, and commercial teams.
This is a senior technical position with significant influence, but it does not carry Director, Head, or executive level responsibilities.
Why Work With Us?
The Environment:
Our Belfast office provides a professional and collaborative setting for engineering, product development, and commercial teams. You will work with colleagues who value practical ideas, clear communication, and measurable improvements.
Meaningful Projects:
Your work will directly influence packaging performance, material usage, product protection, recyclability, and manufacturing efficiency.
Technical Influence:
You will have the authority to recommend materials, testing methods, production improvements, and engineering standards across key packaging programmes.
Professional Growth:
You will receive support for relevant training, industry events, technical certifications, and continued professional development.
Key Responsibilities:
Packaging Development:
Lead the design and development of corrugated, paperboard, moulded fibre, and other paper based packaging solutions.
Engineering Analysis:
Evaluate material strength, compression performance, moisture resistance, product protection, transportation requirements, and manufacturing feasibility.
Project Leadership:
Manage packaging engineering projects from initial customer requirements and concept development through testing, approval, and production implementation.
Material Optimisation:
Identify opportunities to reduce material usage, improve recyclability, lower production costs, and maintain required performance standards.
Testing and Validation:
Develop testing plans and coordinate compression, drop, vibration, transit, environmental, and production trials.
Manufacturing Support:
Work with production teams to resolve technical issues, improve converting processes, and reduce waste, defects, and downtime.
Supplier Collaboration:
Evaluate packaging materials and technical specifications in partnership with paper mills, board suppliers, equipment providers, and external testing laboratories.
Compliance:
Ensure packaging solutions meet relevant UK regulations, customer requirements, environmental commitments, and recognised industry standards.
Technical Documentation:
Prepare specifications, engineering reports, test records, risk assessments, and production instructions.
Mentoring:
Provide technical guidance to packaging engineers, development specialists, and other colleagues involved in packaging projects.
Stakeholder Management:
Present technical recommendations clearly to customers, suppliers, production teams, and senior internal stakeholders.
What We Are Looking For:
Experience:
At least 6 years of experience in packaging engineering, paper based packaging, materials engineering, manufacturing, or a closely related technical field.
Technical Background:
Strong knowledge of corrugated packaging, paperboard, fibre materials, structural packaging design, manufacturing processes, and packaging performance testing.
Education:
A degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Paper Science, or a related discipline is preferred.
Project Experience:
Demonstrated experience leading packaging development projects from concept through testing and production launch.
Software Skills:
Experience with packaging design software, CAD systems, specification management tools, and standard Microsoft Office applications.
Problem Solving:
Ability to investigate packaging failures, identify root causes, and develop commercially practical engineering solutions.
Communication:
Strong written and verbal English skills, with the confidence to explain complex technical information to both technical and non technical stakeholders.
Mindset:
You are practical, analytical, and commercially aware. You understand how to balance sustainability, performance, cost, manufacturability, and customer expectations.
Pay: £5,000.00-£7,500.00 per month
Work Location: In person
