Contract Packaging Engineer

Exploding Kittens Inc

Los Angeles, CA

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$40–$46 Per Hour
SKILLS
3D Modeling, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Bill of Materials (BOM), CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing), Communication Skills, Construction, Cost Control, Cross-Functional, Customer Experience, Detail Oriented, Documentation, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Requirements, Manufacturing/Industrial Processes, Needs Assessment, Organizational Skills, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Product Packaging, Product Support, Production Costing, Production Support, Quality Management, Quality Metrics, Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) Management, Structural Engineering, Team Player, Time Management, Vendor/Supplier Selection, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Los Angeles, CA
POSTED
2 days ago

Contract Packaging Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

Creative Development /

Contract /

Hybrid

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The Packaging Engineer plays a critical role in bringing our games to life by developing structural packaging solutions from initial component review through production-ready files. In this role, you'll be responsible for creating and refining dielines, recommending box sizing and packout solutions, and ensuring every package is functional, durable, cost-effective, and ready for manufacturing.

The ideal candidate has experience designing packaging for consumer products, toys, games, or similar products, along with a strong understanding of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and structural design. We're looking for someone who enjoys solving complex packaging challenges, has an exceptional eye for detail, and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. You'll partner closely with our Art, Project Management, and Production teams while supporting multiple products at various stages of development.

If you're someone who loves figuring out how everything fits together, gets excited about creating packaging that's both beautiful and functional, and enjoys finding smart, efficient solutions without compromising the customer experience, you'll fit right in.

This is a part-time, temporary contract position for the role of Packaging Engineer, requiring approximately 15-20 hours per week. The contract is anticipated to run for approximately three months, with the possibility of extension based on business needs.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Execute packaging engineering and custom die line creation for new games, including boxes, inserts, trays, instructions, packout, and other packaging components.

  • Review the Bills of Materials (BOMs) and other supporting documentation to understand game contents in order to provide appropriate sizing for the game box and all internal components based on component count, product goals, shelf considerations, cost targets, and customer experience.

  • Recommend insert tray structures and packout solutions that organize and protect components while supporting ease of setup, intuitive unboxing and repacking, cost efficiency, and production feasibility.

  • Work cross-functionally with Art, PMO, and Production to ensure packaging supports product goals, creative direction, player experience, manufacturing requirements, and quality standards.

  • Review factory adjusted die lines and provide clear feedback on structural changes, including whether to move forward with vendor recommendations. Identify and resolve structural, material, sizing, packout, or production issues before files move into final production.

  • Identify opportunities for cost savings, material efficiency, production efficiency, and structural improvements without compromising quality, durability, or customer experience.

  • Maintain clean, organized files with properly marked layers, specification, and naming conventions according to company standards.

WHAT WE NEED

  • Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Structural Packaging Design, Product Design, or a related field preferred.

  • Strong proficiency in Illustrator and InDesign. Experience in CAD or 3D modeling software is a plus.

  • Experience in toy, game, consumer product, or retail packaging experience preferred.

  • Strong understanding of packaging manufacturing processes, materials, construction methods, dielines, and production requirements.

  • Ability to review BOMs and component lists, understand product packout needs, and recommend appropriate box sizes, insert structures, instruction formats, and packaging component dimensions.

  • Excellent organization and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple SKUs and deadlines simultaneously.

  • Clear visual, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to present structural recommendations, risks, tradeoffs, problems, and solutions to different audiences.

  • Comfort working under tight deadlines while maintaining accuracy, quality, and attention to detail.

$40 - $46 an hour

This salary represents a range for the position and will ultimately depend on the individual's qualifications and years of experience, location, and is subject to change.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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About the Company

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Exploding Kittens Inc