Principal Engineer, R&D - Packaging Materials & Performance

Job Description As the Principal Engineer, Packaging Materials & Performance, you will lead the development and deployment of packaging performance requirements across the Kraft Heinz North America portfolio. The primary purpose of this role is to define the material, package, manufacturing, sustainability, and consumer performance requirements that enable successful packaging development, commercialization, and long-term business performance. These requirements will guide packaging design decisions, supplier alignment, technical validation, and commercialization activities across a diverse portfolio of packaging formats and technologies. Success in this role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, strategic influence, prioritization, technical problem solving, thoughtful people development, and the ability to lead multiple complex initiatives simultaneously. Working closely with Packaging R&D, Innovation, Platform and Process Packaging, Quality, Operations, Procurement, and external partners, you will establish the technical foundation that ensures packaging systems meet functional, quality, shelf-life, manufacturing, consumer experience, sustainability, and regulatory expectations. Performance specifications are a key output of this work, but the role is fundamentally focused on technical packaging leadership, material performance understanding, and requirement development rather than specification administration. This position also provides leadership for packaging sustainability compliance activities, including support of Extended Producer Responsibility requirements and emerging packaging regulations. Essential Functions & Responsibilities Lead packaging performance requirements. Define enterprise requirements for packaging materials, package systems, and packaging technologies across the portfolio. Serve as a technical authority. Provide expertise in barrier properties, mechanical performance, seal integrity, distribution durability, compatibility, machinability, sustainability performance, and consumer use. Translate needs into measurable criteria. Convert product, consumer, operational, supply chain, sustainability, regulatory, and business needs into clear performance targets and technical acceptance requirements. Guide material and design decisions. Establish performance targets that inform package development, material selection, supplier engagement, and commercialization choices. Define and execute validation. Establish testing methods, validation strategies, and acceptance criteria required to demonstrate package performance. Design and oversee packaging validation activities including laboratory testing, pilot plant evaluations, manufacturing trials, distribution testing, and commercial production startup support. Manage technical risk. Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to packaging materials, structures, manufacturing processes, and package performance. Enable commercialization. Build performance verification plans that support concept development, proof of concept, scale-up, launch, and ongoing product support. Solve complex performance problems. Use scientific and engineering principles, experimental design, and data analysis to investigate failures, close performance gaps, and reduce commercialization risk. Build organizational capability. Develop tools, training, and coaching that strengthen performance-based packaging development and technical requirement definition. Build technical capability. Coach and mentor team members in packaging materials, package performance, validation methodologies, commercialization, and technical problem solving. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to cross-functional packaging teams and project stakeholders. Measure effectiveness. Track outcomes such as commercialization success, reduced rework, improved launch readiness, fewer late-stage changes, and stronger package performance. Maintain requirement governance. Ensure performance requirements are measurable, technically justified, current, approved, and communicated through effective documentation and change-control practices. People Management Responsibilities Direct leadership. Lead approximately one salaried team member. Key Outputs & Deliverables Enterprise packaging performance standards and requirements. Material and package-system performance criteria for major packaging platforms. Validation strategies, testing methodologies, and technical acceptance criteria. Project-ready performance requirements that support innovation, productivity, quality, sustainability, and commercialization objectives. Technical risk assessments and mitigation plans for packaging systems and material technologies. Governed performance-requirement documentation that enables clear communication, supplier alignment, and consistent execution. Training materials, tools, and resources that strengthen packaging development practices across the organization. Expected Experience & Required Skills BS/MS/PhD degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering preferred, or related discipline. 6+ years of experience in packaging R&D, packaging development, materials engineering, commercialization, or related technical leadership roles (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred). Packaging-system understanding. Deep understanding of packaging material functionality, package-system interactions, manufacturing processes, and the impact of packaging decisions on product quality, consumer experience, operational performance, and sustainability outcomes. Proven experience establishing technical requirements, performance targets, validation methods, and acceptance criteria for packaging systems. Strong knowledge of packaging manufacturing and converting processes and their effect on package performance and commercialization. Familiarity with sustainable packaging technologies, circularity initiatives, r