Back to jobs

Packaging Engineer - Accessories and Service Parts

Troy, MI

Packaging Engineer – Vehicle Accessories and Service Parts

 

ABOUT Slate

At Slate, we’ve got one job: building a vehicle you’ll fall in love with, right here in the USA. We believe that car buyers—not car companies—should call the shots. We like looking at the road, not the screen. We don’t like paying for stuff we don’t need.
We like picking out the stuff we do need. We think dings are badges, not blemishes. But we know not everyone likes what we like. So, we built you a Slate: you make it yours.

 

Who we are looking for:

The Commercial team spends enough time thinking outside the box. We need YOU to think about the box. We are building a world-class portfolio of vehicle accessories along with parts necessary to service your vehicle — and we believe the customer experience starts the moment the box is opened. As our Packaging Engineer, you’ll lead the design and development of consumer-facing packaging solutions that are as functional and compelling as the products they contain. From simple polybags to complex multi-use containers that aid DIY installation, you’ll craft packaging that supports brand storytelling, and operational efficiency. You’ll also establish packaging guidelines (product packaging along with inbound and outbound shipping packaging), validate supplier submissions, and ensure our packaging meets performance and sustainability targets.

 

What you get to do:

  • Design, test, and release consumer-facing packaging for a diverse range of products (interior, exterior, cargo, and utility)
  • Select, test, and release inbound and outbound shipping packaging to be used for shipping multiple products to a single location
  • Develop packaging that balances aesthetics, protection, unboxing experience, and cost
  • Create multi-functional packaging that can serve as part of the product experience—such as install guides or fixtures
  • Define and document packaging standards, test protocols, material specifications, and sustainability goals
  • Review and approve supplier-submitted packaging designs, dielines, and samples
  • Work with product managers, industrial designers, and supply chain teams to align packaging with launch plans and logistics requirements
  • Conduct and/or coordinate ISTA and real-world validation testing (drop, vibration, climate, crush, etc.)
  • Specify packaging solutions across a spectrum—from polybags and cartons to molded trays, foam inserts, and hybrid structures
  • Collaborate with marketing to align packaging design with brand and customer expectations
  • Manage CAD/dieline files and technical documentation; ensure compatibility with supply chain and distribution processes
  • Develop unique packaging that can becomes an integral part of the assembly or aid in accessory or service installation.
  • Develop packaging for cosmetic components requiring various shipping methods (rail, air, truck, final mile).

What you bring to the team:

  • BS in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
  • 5–10+ years of experience designing packaging for consumer or automotive products
  • Strong knowledge of packaging materials: corrugate, plastics, foams, films, tapes, adhesives, molded pulp, etc.
  • Experience creating packaging that is dual-use or includes installation aids a significant plus
  • Familiarity with industry standards including ISTA, ASTM, and relevant regulatory labeling requirements
  • Experience writing supplier-facing documentation: packaging guidelines, QC criteria, spec sheets
  • Ability to evaluate packaging performance via physical testing and supplier samples
  • CAD/dieline proficiency (e.g., ArtiosCAD, SolidWorks, or similar); Adobe Illustrator a plus
  • Clear communicator and collaborator—able to influence suppliers and internal teams alike
  • Passion for customer experience and brand-driven packaging that supports Slate’s mission

 

Why Join Team Slate? 

At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness moves our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles. 

  • Safety First
  • Delight Customers
  • One Team
  • Relentless Improvement
  • Fast, Frugal and Scrappy
  • Respectful Collaboration
  • Positive Legacy

 Location: Troy, MI or Long Beach, CA (Hybrid)

 

We want to work with people that reflect the communities in which we operate:

  • Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.
  • Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at recar-talent_acquisition@slate.auto.

 

 

 

 

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Slate? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Slate’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.