R&D Packaging Scientist 1 (Recent Grad Starting in 2026)

Location: Hybrid in Pleasanton, California, USA

Salary: $61,800–$113,100 (Zone C), $68,000–$124,500 (Zone B), or $74,200–$135,800 (Zone A) annually, depending on work location.

Company

hirify.global develops consumer products and trusted brands, with R&D teams involved throughout the product lifecycle from concept and raw materials to finished goods.

What you will do

• Develop innovative packaging that meets functional, regulatory, brand, sustainability, and consumer-experience requirements.
• Own end-to-end packaging development, including conceptual design, prototyping, mechanical and chemical performance testing, consumer testing, lab validation, tooling qualification, scale-up, and production.
• Create and manage packaging specifications covering fill weights, pallet configurations, cube information, packaging components, and assembly diagrams.
• Develop SOPs, test methods, and best practices; lead pilot and production trials; analyze results and troubleshoot scale-up issues.
• Collaborate with R&D, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and manufacturing teams to manage technical risk and support product launches.

Requirements

• Graduation between December 2025 and August 2026 with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• B.S. in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, or an M.S. in Packaging Science.
• Knowledge of ASTM packaging testing methods and working knowledge of ArtiosCAD and TOPS.
• Ability to work in a laboratory with various materials, including dust, and perform fine-motor prototyping work.
• Strong organization, leadership, influencing, critical-thinking, and independent working skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid workplace with an inclusive culture focused on growth, technical curiosity, and innovation.
• Health plans and a market-leading 401(k) program with company match.
• Flexible time-off benefits, including half-day summer Fridays depending on location.
• Inclusive fertility and adoption benefits and additional wellbeing support.
• Eligibility for participation in hirify.global incentive plans.