Packaging Engineer

Freelance Opportunity – Packaging Engineer | Pharma | Italy (Hybrid)

We are supporting a leading global pharmaceutical company in identifying a Packaging Engineer for a contract role (maternity leave cover) within their Global Device & Packaging Unit.

Location: Anagni, Italy (Hybrid – approx. 3 days onsite, 2 days remote)

Duration: 6–9 months Contract: Freelance

Consultant Workload: Full-time (flexible up to 75% for the right candidate)

Travel: <
20% (mainly Europe – supplier SATs)

Start Date: ASAP

Role Overview: This is a senior-level role combining technical packaging expertise and project management. You will support new product implementations (CMC), lifecycle management (LCM) activities, and packaging innovation within a global pharmaceutical environment.

Key Responsibilities:

- Define and recommend primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging systems and materials

- Develop protocols and manage packaging testing and transport qualification activities

- Act as technical SME for packaging requirements across projects and stakeholders

- Lead packaging-related project activities from development through to commercialisation

- Ensure compliance with regulatory standards (FDA, USP, ASTM, ISTA, etc.)

- Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, QA, Supply Chain, Engineering, Procurement, and external suppliers

- Support packaging documentation, SOPs, and internal systems

- Contribute to automation and innovation initiatives at site level

Requirements:

- ~5 years’ experience in packaging engineering (flexible for strong candidates with 3+ years)

- Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical packaging materials and performance

- Understanding of packaging regulations and testing standards

- Experience in technical documentation and project management

- Exposure to validation, qualification, or equipment start-up is a plus

- Excellent English communication skills;
Italian is a plus but not mandatory