Packaging Engineer
Subaru of Indiana Automotive · Lafayette, IN
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (automotive) in Lafayette, IN. Propose, evaluate, and implement packaging and shipping container systems based upon understanding of supplier requirements, production processes, logistics, distribution, warehousing, quality, regulatory requirements, and cost targets.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Indiana: typical posted base $97k–$135k.
Median of the low and high ends of 7 live postings that list pay, out of 42 manufacturing engineer openings in Indiana, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Indiana plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 41 other live manufacturing postings in Indiana.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $97k–$135k, from 7 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Lean 55%
- Tooling 48%
- New product launch 45%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 38%
- Team leadership 36%
- Root cause 33%
✓ = 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 Subaru of Indiana Automotive
We found 7 people at this company and state: 6 in this kind of role, 1 leaders, 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 Michael → (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: Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette
6 other open roles at this site · 7 people we found in manufacturing roles at Subaru of Indiana Automotive.
- Trim Process Engineer - 2nd Shift · Process
- Process Engineer - Mfg Eng Body · Process
- Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer · Quality
- Group Leader, Tool & Die · Manufacturing · Technician
- Maintenance Technician - 2nd or 3rd Shift · Reliability · Technician
- Tool & Die Maker · Manufacturing · Technician
Full description from Subaru of Indiana AutomotiveAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position Summary
The Packaging Engineer is responsible for developing, designing, and evaluating packaging solutions for automotive parts. This role collaborates with internal departments and external suppliers to develop packaging for upcoming model changes. The packaging engineer also supports mass production finding ways to enhance quality, ensure safety and drive cost efficiency. The engineer will work cross-functionally with various internal departments and external suppliers and fabricators to align packaging strategies with broader business objectives and operational needs.
Outline of duties
- ◆Propose, evaluate, and implement packaging and shipping container systems based upon understanding of supplier requirements, production processes, logistics, distribution, warehousing, quality, regulatory requirements, and cost targets.
- ◆Provide design direction and development plans for packaging containers, dunnage, and unique shipping racks.
- ◆Interface with SIA Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, Environmental, Safety and Materials Management departments along with SIA Part Suppliers to gather and develop packaging
requirements
- ✓Project manage the development of packaging for approximately 70 assigned suppliers from initial concept into mass production.
- ✓Identify
requirements
and address concerns during development ensuring all scheduled development milestones are met.
- ✓Troubleshoot and resolve packaging-related issues in mass production, ensuring timely implementation of temporary or permanent countermeasures, especially for safety or quality concerns.
- ✓Support packaging reviews for production parts being shipped from Japan
- ✓Support overall supply chain cost reductions in the areas of packaging investment, expendable expense, transportation, and handling costs through packaging design without sacrificing safety, quality or delivery.
- ✓Use of various CAD Software and technical drawings.
- ✓Maintain professional and effective communication with Associates, leadership, vendors, and other stakeholders.
- ✓All other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's Degree in Packaging, Manufacturing, or Engineering, 5 or more years work experience in automotive packaging may be considered in lieu of education.
- ✓Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Quality, or related field
- ✓2 years of packaging, manufacturing and/or engineering experience
- ✓Minor or equivalent work experience in Global Supply Chain
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Packaging Engineer
Supplier Management Department