Packaging Development Engineer

At Straumann Group we’re on an exciting journey of growth, innovation, and impact - driven by our mission to improve oral health and transform millions of lives worldwide.

United by purpose, we bring our best selves to work every day, embracing a high-performance, player-learner culture that inspires collaboration, curiosity, and ambition.

Here, you’ll have the opportunity to take charge of your own career, harnessing your skills, passion, and enthusiasm for learning to continually grow and progress.

Together, we’re not just shaping brighter smiles, we’re unlocking the potential of people everywhere, including our own.

Packaging plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, integrity, and usability of our medical devices throughout the entire product lifecycle.

Beyond protecting the product, packaging must comply with global regulatory requirements, enable efficient manufacturing and logistics, support sustainability ambitions, and deliver excellent customer experience.

We are looking for an experienced and collaborative Packaging Development Engineer to join our Global Packaging team at Straumann Group Headquarters in Basel.

In this role, you will take ownership of complex packaging development and Life Cycle Management (LCM) initiatives across our global product portfolio.

You will lead technical packaging projects from concept through implementation, working closely with colleagues from Research & Development, Operations, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Affairs, Procurement, Marketing, and external suppliers.

As a technical expert, you will contribute to the evolution of our packaging platforms, engineering standards, and development processes while supporting the successful transfer, optimization, and continuous improvement of existing products across our global manufacturing network.

This position offers the opportunity to influence packaging strategy, drive innovation, and shape the future of medical device packaging within Straumann Group.

The role reports to the Head of Packaging, LCM SDIS & RDI Academy, is based at the company’s headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and requires moderate international travel.

Your responsibilities

• Lead complex packaging development and Life Cycle Management (LCM) projects, from concept through implementation, for new and existing products.
• Design innovative, robust, and cost-effective packaging solutions that meet product, manufacturing, regulatory, quality, and customer requirements.
• Drive technical decisions for complex packaging challenges across multiple product families.
• Project & Technical Leadership
• Manage packaging development projects, including planning, timelines, risk assessment, resource coordination, and stakeholder communication.
• Lead packaging activities supporting global product transfers, manufacturing site localization, supplier changes, and business continuity initiatives.
• Plan, coordinate, and evaluate packaging verification and validation activities, including transportation testing, shelf-life studies, sterile barrier validation, and compatibility testing.
• Conduct feasibility studies, engineering evaluations, and cost analyses to identify optimal packaging solutions balancing quality, compliance, manufacturability, sustainability, and total cost of ownership.
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Provide technical leadership across global cross-functional teams, partnering with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Affairs, Procurement, and Marketing.
• Collaborate with suppliers and external partners to identify, qualify, and implement innovative packaging materials, technologies, and manufacturing processes.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with global stakeholders, manufacturing sites, suppliers, and packaging experts across the Straumann Group.
• Standards, Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• Define, improve, and maintain global packaging engineering standards, design guidelines, specifications, and best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize packaging design, materials, manufacturing processes, and environmental performance.
• Monitor emerging technologies, regulatory developments, sustainability trends, and industry standards, translating them into practical engineering solutions.
• Expertise & Knowledge Sharing
• Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for packaging-related topics during internal and external audits, inspections, and regulatory assessments.
• Mentor colleagues, share technical expertise, and contribute to the continuous development of packaging engineering capabilities across the organization.

Your Profile - Qualifications

Education

• Minimum 3 years of experience in packaging development, medical device development, or another regulated industry.
• Experience leading technical projects in cross-functional and international environments.
• Good knowledge of packaging materials, packaging technologies, manufacturing processes, and packaging test methodologies.
• Knowledge of medical device development processes with a good understanding of product and user workflows.
• Experience in project management with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results within agreed timelines.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements and industry standards related to medical device packaging, including ISO, ASTM, ISTA, MDR, FDA, and sustainability requirements.
• Knowledge of sterile packaging systems, sealing technologies, and sterilization processes.
• Experience with sterile barrier system validation and related test methods (e. g., seal strength, dye penetration, bubble emission, visual inspection) is considered an advantage.
• Good understanding of Design Control processes for medical devices.
• Experience applying engineering tools such as risk management, technical drawings, statistical analysis, and material performance evaluation.
• Proven ability to identify opportunities for innovation and implement packaging improvements that enhance product performance, manufacturing efficiency, sustainability, or cost competitiveness.
• Personal Attributes
• Strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to build trusted relationships across functions, cultures, and global organizations.
• Takes ownership, makes sound engineering decisions, and delivers pragmatic solutions.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain technical topics to different audiences.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken; additional languages are an advantage.
• Curious, proactive, and motivated by continuous learning and technical excellence.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic international environment with changing priorities.
• Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a strong commitment to quality and patient safety.
• Embraces Straumann Group's Mission, Values, and collaborative culture.
• Demonstrates a "Player-Learner" mindset: communicates openly, welcomes feedback, continuously develops expertise, and actively contributes to the success of the team.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

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