Jobs › Abbott

Senior Packaging Engineer

Abbott · Buffalo Grove, IL · $86,700–$173,300 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a packaging system you designed or changed from concept through validation. What were the key decisions?

What they are checking: Whether they have owned a full packaging project, including the validation work that takes most of the time.

Tell me about a time you had to work with manufacturing, quality and regulatory to get a packaging change approved.

What they are checking: Whether they can move a change through several functions that each have a sign-off.

Give me an example of reducing packaging cost or material without hurting protection.

What they are checking: Whether they can show measured savings while proving the package still protects the product.

How do you mentor less experienced engineers on test method and protocol writing?

What they are checking: Whether they raise the team's skill level, which is part of what separates a senior engineer from a strong individual one.

What would you do

Distribution testing fails late in a project because of transit damage. How do you decide what to change?

What they are checking: Whether they find the root cause before redesigning, and weigh schedule against the risk of a weak fix.

How do you handle a material change from a supplier when the packaging is already validated?

What they are checking: Whether they know a supplier change can trigger revalidation and change control, not just a swap on the bill of materials.

This role is onsite. How do you use time on the line to make better packaging decisions?

What they are checking: Whether they learn from operators and real line conditions, not only from drawings and test reports.

About the work

How would you approach validating a sterile barrier system for a medical device under ISO 11607?

What they are checking: Whether they know the forming, sealing and integrity testing steps that a device sterile package must pass.

Walk me through how you set up an IQ, OQ and PQ for a new sealer or packaging line.

What they are checking: Whether they understand process validation well enough to set worst-case parameters and justify sample sizes.

Which seal strength and package integrity tests have you used, and how do you pick between them?

What they are checking: Whether they match the test method to the failure mode rather than running every test out of habit.

How do you think about labeling and UDI requirements when you design a package?

What they are checking: Whether they plan for label space, legibility and regulatory content early instead of fitting it in at the end.

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The full job description

As published by Abbott.

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to: • Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of. • Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year. • An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution • Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree. • A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune. • A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists. The Opportunity This position is an onsite opportunity within the Abbott Diabetes Care Division in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. We are helping people with diabetes lead healthier, happier lives. As a global leader in diabetes care, Abbott is committed to delivering innovative products, superior quality, and exceptional support to customers worldwide. As a Senior Packaging Engineer, you will be responsible for management and introduction of protective packaging components to automated manufacturing lines into Third Party Manufacturing facility. Leads and participate in design, planning and introduction of pack components for existing and new products for Packaging production. The position provides technical leadership, project management, and mentoring to engineers and cross functional team members. Drives activities at the supplier(s) to ensure that pack components are produced and delivered as per the component specifications for new product introductions, sustaining, and any increased volume needs are met to achieve ADC production requirements. This is an onsite opportunity in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Up to 15% travel, including domestic and international What You’ll Work On • Design, develop and test a wide variety of packaging components (i.e. Cartons, inserts, labels, foil, trays, and shipper cases) used for the protection, display, and handling of products • Integral member in selection of alternate pack component suppliers to supply all pack components to TPM’s • Build relationships with key suppliers and maintain regular leadership communications, serving as the main point of contact for all commercial and technical discussions • Support Packaging SME at kit pack lines in the install and validation of packaging equipment at TPM’s • Design, develop and test a wide variety of packaging components (i.e. Cartons, inserts, labels, foil, trays, and shipper cases) used for the protection, display, and handling of products • Work closely with pack component suppliers to address ongoing material issues, quality issues and implementation of CAPA, SCAR activities. • Creation and management of change requests (Engineering and manufacturing changes), Change action plans, within the document control system to update SKU BOM’s, as required in Agile. • Participates in determining goals and objectives for projects, maintains project schedules. • Lead value add initiatives for ADC to include commercially favorable opportunities, improved component quality and operational efficiencies • Support all Company initiatives as identified by management and in support of Quality Management Systems (QMS), Environmental Management Systems (EMS), and other regulatory requirements. • Support overall program management to ensure packaging engineering related projects, changes and capital purchases are delivered on time and on budget • Develop an understanding of the automation landscape, including top suppliers, best practices, largest customers, and new technologies Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in a Related field or an equivalent combination of education and work experience • Minimum 5 years of progressive technical experience and demonstrated competence • Knowledge of regulations and standards affecting Medical Devices Preferred Qualifications • Knowledge of understanding of FDA, GMP, ASTM standards, PPWR and ISO 13485 guidelines • Experience with equipment process validation principles as well as engineering documentation practices and statistical process control • Experience with automated packaging manufacturing environment • Excellent organization, problem solving, and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams • Experience working in a highly matrixed and geographically diverse business environment • Strong verbal, presentation and written communications with ability to effectively communicate at multiple levels in the organization The base pay for this position is $86,700.00 – $173,300.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted. JOB FAMILY: Engineering DIVISION: ADC Diabetes Care LOCATION: United States > Buffalo Grove : 1250 Barclay Blvd ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Yes, 15 % of the Time MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day) Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

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