
Packaging Engineer Designer
PCI Pharma Services · Rockford, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $70k–$79k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at PCI Pharma Services (pharma & life sciences) in Rockford, IL.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Base pay
- $70k–$79k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $96k–$145k. This one lists $70k–$79k.
Median of the low and high ends of 20 live postings that list pay, out of 44 manufacturing engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 43 other live manufacturing postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- About 33% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $89k–$134k, from 17 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 48%
- Automation 43%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 36%
- Lean 36%
- ✓ New product launch 27%
- ✓ Team leadership 23%
✓ = 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 PCI Pharma Services
We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role, plus 1 likely hiring manager. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Allan → (free) - 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 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: PCI Pharma Services in Rockford
7 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in manufacturing roles at PCI Pharma Services.
- Maintenance Mechanic 2 - 3rd Shift (Mon-Thurs; 9pm-7am) · Reliability · Technician
- Sr. Principal Automation & Pharmaceutical Packaging Engineer · Controls · Senior
- Maintenance Mechanic 2 - 2nd Shift · Reliability · Technician
- Maintenance Mechanic 2 - 1st Shift · Reliability · Technician
- Sr. Manager, Quality Engineering ADD · Quality · Manager
- RFD_Facilities Reliability Tech 2 · Reliability · Technician
Full description from PCI Pharma ServicesAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The essential duties and
responsibilities
include the following but other duties may be assigned.
Designs and assembles a wide variety of complex packaging systems: primary, secondary and tertiary packaging formats that meet customer
requirements
and conforms to PCI manufacturing capabilities.
Creates sketches, 3D renderings and visual presentations of packaging concepts.
Regularly communicates ideas, solutions and improvements to customers and internal teams through digital presentations and/or meetings.
Creates and modifies packaging structural drawings and web layouts using various CAD platforms without the need of supervision.
Reviews and edits structural elements to ensure that they meet customer requests and PCI operational requirements.
Participates in technical reviews and supports project onboarding plans. Performs prototyping duties in on-site prototyping laboratory, including management of supplies and equipment maintenance.
Performs various activities for billable Design Services: Design Consultation, Conceptualization, Package Development, Sample Preparation and Package Performance Testing.
Provides direct support to Sr. Designers and Project Leads during project planning and execution.
Maintains and tracks digital assets related to packaging design.
Participates in recruiting events for interns/co-ops and contributes to the candidate selection and onboarding process.
Provides training, mentoring and direction to Jr. Designers, in-house interns/co-ops.
Supports internal corporate and marketing activities as needed.
Supports ESG initiatives.
Knowledge of and adherence to all PCI, cGMP, and GCP policies, procedures, rules.
Attendance to work is an essential function of this position.
Performs other duties as assigned by Manager/Supervisor
Other titles use: Industrial Designer
Qualifications
The
requirements
listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for the stated position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required
- ✓Bachelor's Degree in a related field and 2+ years related industry experience and/or training.
- ✓It is expected Package Designer II would have completed advanced training for CAD based design software (Solid works & Artios-CAD) as well as experience and proficiency in graphic design and photo editing software such as the Adobe Creative Suite.
- ✓Expected to have experience in development of advanced drug delivery device packaging and special child resistant and adult friendly packaging including the performance testing and
qualifications
of such packaging systems.
- ✓Must have experience with thermoforming design/manufacturing technologies and materials.
- ✓Must have experience with unit dose blister design/manufacturing technologies and materials.
- ✓Must have experience with folding carton and wallet card design/manufacturing/printing technologies and materials.
- ✓Good familiarity with project management tools and practices. Be able to plan, track and communicate project status effectively.
- ✓Experience or basic knowledge of flexible packaging and materials.
- ✓Basic Computer Skills: Ability to perform basic computer tasks and has the ability to operate common computer programs.
- ✓Basic Mathematical Skills
- ✓Full Professional Proficiency: Ability to speak, read, and write fluently and accurately on all levels pertinent to professional needs.
- ✓High Reasoning: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where there is only limited standardization. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions that may be provided in various forms.
- ✓High Standard of Report Writing.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Life changing therapies. Global impact. Bridge to thousands of biopharma companies and their patients.
We are PCI.
Our investment is in People who make an impact, drive progress and create a better tomorrow. Our strategy includes building teams across our global network to pioneer and shape the future of PCI.
Summary of Objective
Reporting to Package Design Supervisor, successful Package Designer II would work to support the development and launch of new package designs and existing package enhancements. Utilizing technical design abilities and creative insights, the incumbent would support the development and commercialization of new package designs and optimization of existing packaging; including directly engaging with customers, coordinating with vendors and suppliers to develop/approve packaging components, coordinating with internal stakeholders as well as managing R&D and prototyping activities in the Design Lab. Utilizing design software, practical packaging development knowledge and hands-on assembly skills, Package Designer II would create and prepare design solutions for PCI clients to support commercial sales efforts and billable Design Services.
Preferred
- +Ability to effectively present information to various people as the job requires.
- +Ability to follow instructions and respond to management direction.
- +Ability to work independently and/or as part of a team.
- +Ability to display original thinking and creativity.
The hiring rate for this position is $69,920-$78,660 plus eligibility for an annual performance bonus. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to specific and relevant experience, education, credentials, geography, and subject matter expertise. PCI offers full-time employees a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health insurance coverage (including dental and vision), a flexible spending account, and a 401(k) plan.
Join us and be part of building the bridge between life changing therapies and patients. Let’s talk future
