Packaging Engineers: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview Packaging is an important factor for any kind of products. Containers or packages are used to provide customers with information about the product. They are also used to protect and store goods like toys, food, medicine, electronics, clothing, appliances, computers and housewares. There are many processes that involves packaging operations. Packaging engineers oversee the complex operations of developing and designing containers.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
Those interested to become a packaging engineer would need to be prepared in taking Engineering courses. Calculus, Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry, Chemistry and Physics are classes that will be used forthe upcoming Engineering education. Other classes that will be helpful in this career are Mechanical Drawing, Accounting, Economics, Computer Science, Art, English and Graphic Arts. School of packaging in colleges and universities or special engineering schools offer programs for those aspiring to become a packaging engineer. Bachelor’s degree is usually completed in four or five years while Master’s degree takes six years t o finish. Related discipline that students can take include Industrial, Systems, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical and Materials Engineering. Package development, product protection and distribution, packaging materials and packaging line machinery are classes that are included in the last year of the program. Certification for further credentials is offered by the Institute of Packaging Professionals.
Skills and Abilities
Packaging engineers need to be creative and should know how to think analytically. They should have the ability to solve problems. It is important that they possess leadership skills and know how to be a team player at the same time. They should know how to manage a team. Communication and writing skills are also important to be able to interact properly with workers and customers. It is important that they are knowledgeable about manufacturing and production processes.
Duties
The containers for products are designed, planned, produced and developed by packaging engineers. They should know the needs of their clients and the end users. They need to make sure that the package is durable and attractive to customers.
It is their responsibility to secure and label products most especially medicine, cosmetics and food. Packaging engineers are also involved in cost analysis. They decide what materials are used. They need to make sure that material used are safe and environment friendly. Being updated with new technological and marketing strategies is one of their duties. Part of their job is to research and look for different kinds of designs. They should have a wide knowledge on operating different machinery and equipment that will be used in creating containers.
Earnings and Job Outlook
The income for packaging engineers are dependent on the industry where they work for, geographical location, work experience and size of the employer’s company. Average starting salary is $50,951 per year. The demand for packaging engineers are high and constant because all manufactured goods definitely need packagings.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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Word Count: 514 Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2010 Time: 2:38 PM
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