Structural Designer III

Join to apply for the Structural Designer III role at Graphic Packaging International

At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, food service, household, personal care and pet products.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities. With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

A World of Difference. Made Possible.

The mission of the Innovation and Design (I&D) organization is to bring forth new packaging solutions through creative structural and manufacturing design, working collaboratively with our customer service, sales, internal graphic designers, machinery and systems engineers, business development team members, market and product managers, manufacturing and quality assurance personnel, key supplier partners and ultimately interfacing with customers to understand their unmet needs, consumer unmet needs, and marketing objectives.

We have an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated self-starter for the position of Structural Designer III. The ideal candidate will have solid working knowledge of paperboard substrates, carton structure design, and paperboard converting processes. This position requires hands‑on Structural Design process execution (existing carton structure reverse‑engineering activities, conceptual and production‑ready one‑up drawing development, plotter sample generation, etc.) in a team‑based environment.

This position’s responsibilities include effectively and efficiently meeting internal and external customer needs, expectations, and requirements; as well as confronting complex processes and technical challenges requiring direct involvement, understanding, and support to reach resolution.

• Integrity and Trust (Core GPI Competency)
• Action Oriented (Core GPI Competency)
• Priority Setting
• Learning on the fly
• Creativity
• Customer Focus
• Drive for Results
• Decision Quality
• Organizing
• Composure

Structural Design and Software use:

• Actively monitor, maintain, and control work schedule and back‑log (design requests, plotter sample requests, conversion request, etc.)
• Full understanding and utilization of the Artios CAD system to execute Carton Design tasks to required customer and plant specifications (conceptual designs and production ready).
• Fully apply all GPI Design standards and customer and plant specification formats during Carton Design process for responsible product line (customers and platform e.g. Microwave, Zflute, Litho/Micro flute, CPD, Beverage, etc.).
• Accurately finalize one‑up carton design specifications prior to release for converting and machinery organizations.
• Understand and effectively apply test procedures for validating performance of packages and features under development.
• Develop pro‑active alternative designs for better form & function, on‑shelf appearance, sustainability, increased production efficiency, cost savings and/or margin improvement.
• Uses 2D and 3D conceptualization techniques
• Cut qualifying and prototype samples for customer and testing
• Attend machinery check‑out testing, or other design validation testing events, to assess, modify or approve carton designs as necessary
• Complete Quality Checks on designs for Structural Designers I

• Coordinate with other designers working on projects
• Complete Carton Design projects while fully coordinating with customer, sales, customer service,…