Principal Printing Engineer

Principal Engineer - Printing Technologies (Flexographic Focus)

Reports To: Technical Director

Overview

A seasoned technical leader and subject matter expert in printing technologies-particularly flexographic printing-who drives innovation, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration across industrial, consumer, and medical sectors. This role is pivotal in aligning engineering initiatives with strategic business goals, focusing on equipment, materials, personnel, and production processes.

Key Responsibilities

Innovation & Project Leadership

• Spearheads cross-functional engineering projects from concept through commercialization, with a strong emphasis on flexographic and related printing technologies.
• Ensures transparent communication of project milestones and technical progress to leadership and stakeholders.
• Manages scope, resources, and timelines by fostering collaborative partnerships across departments.

Continuous Improvement & Technical Excellence

• Champions a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the printing domain.
• Facilitates ideation workshops and technical brainstorming sessions to generate new solutions and enhance operational efficiency.
• Mentors engineering team members, promoting professional development and leadership growth.

Printing Operations & Technical Execution

• Leads technical trials and sample runs on flexographic and other printing production lines.
• Investigates raw material alternatives and implements substitutions to optimize performance and cost-efficiency.
• Provides hands-on support for commissioning and startup of new printing lines and equipment.
• Collaborates with Quality, Operations, Marketing, and Technical Services to ensure seamless execution and product excellence.
• Applies deep knowledge of inks, substrates, resins, and additives to enhance print quality and production reliability.
• Identifies unmet market needs and initiates innovation pathways to deliver customer-centric printing solutions.
• Develops expertise in print formats and grades to support product standardization and market alignment.
• Builds strong customer relationships to support product development and exceed service expectations.

Innovation Culture & IP Awareness

• Promotes creative problem-solving and responsible risk-taking within the engineering community.
• Maintains confidentiality and adheres to protocols for sensitive information.
• Encourages best practices in intellectual property protection and innovation management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Printing Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in technical engineering roles, preferably within printing or packaging sectors.
• Proven ability to prioritize, organize, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills across all organizational levels.

Physical & Work Environment

• Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, and manual dexterity.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds occasionally.
• Work environment includes both office and production floor settings; moderate noise levels and PPE may be required.

Travel

• Regular travel to customer sites and intercompany locations for technical support and collaboration. (Around 20%-25%)