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.
You will apply and further develop your packaging engineering expertise while working on new product developments as well as the optimization, transfer, and continuous improvement of existing products across our global manufacturing network. You will be part of an experienced packaging team where technical collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning are an important part of how we work.
This position offers the opportunity to build strong expertise in medical device packaging, take increasing ownership of challenging engineering projects, and contribute to the continued development of packaging solutions 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:
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Develop packaging solutions for existing and new products from concept through implementation, considering product, regulatory, manufacturing, sustainability, and customer requirements.
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Take ownership of assigned packaging development and Life Cycle Management (LCM) projects and activities.
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Collaborate with global cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Operations, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Affairs, Procurement, and Marketing.
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Translate technical and user requirements into robust, practical, and cost-effective packaging solutions.
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Manage packaging development activities, including project planning, risk assessment, timeline management, technical documentation, and stakeholder communication.
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Conduct feasibility assessments, engineering evaluations, and cost analyses to support packaging design decisions and identify suitable technical solutions.
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Plan, coordinate, and evaluate packaging verification and validation activities, including transportation testing, shelf-life studies, sterile barrier validation, and compatibility testing.
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Support packaging activities related to global product transfers, manufacturing site localization, supplier changes, business continuity, and Life Cycle Management initiatives.
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Collaborate with suppliers and external development partners to evaluate and implement packaging materials, technologies, components, and manufacturing processes.
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Create, maintain, and improve packaging specifications, technical drawings, engineering documentation, design guidelines, and related standards.
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Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to optimize packaging design, materials, manufacturing processes, sustainability, and cost.
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Support the evaluation of new packaging technologies, materials, industry standards, and sustainability developments and contribute to their practical implementation where appropriate.
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Support packaging-related activities during internal and external audits, inspections, and regulatory assessments.
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Share technical knowledge within the team and actively contribute to a collaborative learning environment.
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Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with global stakeholders, manufacturing sites, suppliers, and packaging experts throughout the Straumann Group.
Your Profile - Qualifications
Requirements needed
- Bachelor's or master’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Experience (with key words)
- Typically, 2–5 years of relevant experience in packaging development, packaging engineering, product development, or a related technical field.
- Hands-on experience with technical packaging development projects and working in cross-functional teams.
- Good understanding of packaging materials, packaging technologies, manufacturing processes, and packaging test methodologies.
- Experience in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, or another regulated industry is an advantage. Candidates from other technically demanding packaging environments with a strong interest in medical device packaging are also encouraged to apply.
- Ability to plan and coordinate technical activities, manage priorities, and deliver agreed results within project timelines.
- Basic understanding of regulatory requirements, industry standards, and structured product development processes. Knowledge of standards such as ISO 11607, ASTM, ISTA, MDR, or FDA requirements is an advantage.
- Knowledge of sterile packaging systems, sealing technologies, and sterilization processes is an advantage and can be further developed within the role.
- Experience with packaging verification and validation activities and related test methods such as transportation testing, seal strength, dye penetration, bubble emission, or visual inspection is an advantage.
- Understanding Design Control processes, particularly within medical device development, is an advantage.
- Experience applying engineering tools such as risk management, technical drawings, statistical analysis, material evaluation, or structured problem-solving.
- Ability to identify improvement opportunities and contribute to packaging solutions that enhance product performance, manufacturing efficiency, sustainability, robustness, 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.
This position is based at our headquarters in Basel and involves a hybrid work arrangement, with in-office work at least three times a week.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.
