Packaging Engineer

Blue Bird Corporation

Fort Valley, GA

Estimated pay: Est. $18–$27/hr (market estimate, not employer-stated)

Shift: Full time

**About Blue Bird Corporation**

Blue Bird (

NASDAQ

BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com (https://www.blue-bird.com/).

**JOB SUMMARY**

The Packaging Engineer is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of returnable and expendable packaging solutions supporting the transportation, storage, and delivery of components and materials used in the manufacturing of heavy-duty vehicles. This role collaborates closely with Purchasing, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Logistics, Quality, Engineering, and suppliers to ensure packaging solutions are cost-effective, sustainable, ergonomically sound, and capable of protecting product quality throughout the supply chain.

The Packaging Engineer will lead packaging initiatives from concept through implementation, drive cost reduction and efficiency improvements, support new product launches, and ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and company packaging requirements.

**ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

• Design and develop packaging solutions for purchased parts, raw materials, service parts, and finished goods used in heavy duty vehicle manufacturing.
• Evaluate and implement returnable and expendable packaging systems that optimize transportation efficiency, storage utilization, product protection, and total cost.
• Determine fleet calculations to ensure returnable packaging requirements align with volume
• Collaborate with suppliers, logistics providers, manufacturing facilities, and internal stakeholders to establish packaging requirements and standards.
• Lead packaging development activities for new product launches, engineering changes, supplier transitions, and manufacturing initiatives.
• Conduct packaging trials, validation testing, and performance evaluations to ensure packaging integrity and compliance with quality requirements.
• Analyze packaging-related issues and implement corrective actions to prevent material damage, shipment shortages, and operational disruptions.
• Develop packaging specifications, work instructions, engineering drawings, and documentation to support packaging implementation and standardization.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on packaging cost reduction, sustainability, ergonomics, waste reduction, and supply chain efficiency.
• Support PFEP, plant layout, material flow, and line-side delivery strategies through optimized packaging design and container utilization.
• Write AFE (capital expenditure) appropriation requests.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders
• teams to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve supplier packaging performance.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable customers, industry, environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform packaging audits at supplier and manufacturing locations to verify compliance with established standards.
• Manage packaging-related projects, timelines, budgets, and implementation activities.
• Monitor packaging performance metrics and recommend improvements based on data analysis and operational feedback.
• Support inventory management of returnable containers and packaging assets.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS**

• Strong understanding of packaging engineering principles, materials, and testing methodologies.
• Knowledge of manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and supply chain operations within an automotive or heavy-duty vehicle environment.
• Experience designing returnable and expendable packaging solutions for complex industrial components.
• Understanding of material handling systems, line-side presentation, and transportation requirements.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, product specifications, and manufacturing requirements.
• Proficiency with CAD software and packaging design tools.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Knowledge of packaging sustainability practices and environmental compliance requirements.
• Experience with packaging validation, testing, and quality assurance processes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong collabora