
Principal Packaging Engineer
MiniMed · Northridge, CA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $109k–$185k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Medical devices
- Posted
- 11 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior manufacturing role at MiniMed (medical devices) in Northridge, CA. As part of the packaging group, you will be responsible for defining and capturing product requirements for packaging and labeling and conducting design and testing to develop packaging that complies with ISO standards and meets internal stakeholder needs.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
- Base pay
- $109k–$185k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $114k–$167k. This one lists $109k–$185k.
Median of the low and high ends of 117 live postings that list pay, out of 320 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 319 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 10% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 5+)
Typical $111k–$157k, from 104 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 53%
- ✓ New product launch 51%
- ✓ Root cause 40%
- Automation 35%
- Machining 29%
- CATIA / NX 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at MiniMed
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: MiniMed in Northridge
7 other open roles at this site.
- Sr Quality Engineer (New Product Development) · Quality · Senior
- Senior Electrical Manufacturing Engineer · Reliability · Senior
- Senior Operational Excellence Black Belt · Lean / CI · Black Belt
- Reliability Engineer II · Reliability
- Senior Quality Engineer · Quality · Senior
- Sr NPI Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing · Senior
Full description from MiniMedAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
About the Role
Minimed is seeking an experienced Principal Packaging Engineer to manage medical device packaging in both new product introduction and sustaining programs. As part of the packaging group, you will be responsible for defining and capturing product
requirements
for packaging and labeling and conducting design and testing to develop packaging that complies with ISO standards and meets internal stakeholder needs.
Responsibilities
may include the following, with other duties assigned.
- ◆Determines packaging specifications according to the nature of the product, cost limitations, legal requirements, and the type of protection required, considering the need for resistance to such external variables as moisture, corrosive chemicals, temperature variations, light, heat, rough handling, and tampering.
- ◆Designs, develops, and tests a wide variety of containers used for the protection, display, and handling of products – (sterile barrier, primary packaging systems to pallet loads).
- ◆Designs package exteriors considering such factors as product identification, customer appeal, aesthetic quality, printing, and production techniques.
Responsibilities
may include documentation management and/or coordination of good manufacturing practices (GMPs). Support prototype line development in manufacturing facilities/plants and the integration of the packaging design into our semi-auto-to-fully-automated manufacturing lines, as appropriate.
- ◆Create Design Verification and Validation Plan / Protocols for producing and testing the packaging system for integrity, strength, aseptic presentation, and other related tests, based on industry standards and failure modes and risk levels.
- ◆Perform Root Cause analysis for test failures and/or write technical rationales based on sound engineering principles and iterate/improve designs accordingly.
- ◆Mentor younger professionals on the team and stay up to date with industry trends and best practices.
Requirements
To be considered for this role, please ensure the minimum
requirements
are evident on your resume.
- ✓Bachelor's degree with 7 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience OR PhD with 3 years relevant experience.
Requirements
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required
responsibilities
and skills of this position.
The physical demands described within the
Responsibilities
section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical
requirements
that may be specific to each role.
MiniMed offers a competitive salary and flexible benefits package
At MiniMed, we put people first. A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values: We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every stage of your career and life.
This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Short Term Incentive (STI).
At MiniMed, we are committed to supporting the well-being and financial security of our employees. Regular employees working 20 or more hours per week are eligible for a robust benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as access to a Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, life insurance, long-term disability leave, and a dependent daycare spending account. In addition, all regular employees enjoy incentive plans, a 401(k) plan with company match, short-term disability coverage, paid time off and holidays, participation in our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and access to our Employee Assistance Program. Eligible employees may also benefit from our Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement and Capital Accumulation Plan, subject to IRS minimum earnings requirements. Please note that “regular employees” refers to those who are not temporary staff, such as interns, and some benefits may not apply to employees in Puerto Rico.
For further details about our comprehensive benefits, we encourage you to visit the link below.
About MiniMed
MiniMed is a full-stack insulin delivery company dedicated to supporting people living with diabetes through every st
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
At MiniMed, you can begin a lifelong career of exploration and innovation, while helping make a difference in the lives of people living with diabetes around the globe. You'll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation for a more connected, compassionate world.
Nice to Have
- +MedTech or regulated experience preferred
- +Six Sigma/Lean Sigma Certification.
- +Proficiency in statistical methods and software.
Physical Job
