Role Overview
We're looking for a Structural Designer to own complex, high-value corrugated packaging and point-of-purchase display projects from initial customer input through production-ready design. You'll work independently across ArtiosCAD, CAPE, and Esko Studio tools to develop customer requirements into creative, structurally sound, cost-effective, and manufacturable solutions, while partnering directly with sales and plant operations staff. This role is central to the Company’s mission of providing value-added solutions to its customers. In this role you will create packaging designs, have customer contact to manage design goals, manage the design project pipeline in Esko WebCenter, and mentor junior designers. As part of a small, close-knit design team rather than a large corporate design department, you'll wear multiple hats, work directly with the people making and shipping the product, and see your designs through from concept to the production floor. We're looking for someone who combines creative talent, technical and CAD skills, and industry fluency along with the judgment to balance brand impact, structural performance, and manufacturing cost with little supervision.
Core Responsibilities
Design & Engineering
- Design corrugated packaging, retail displays, and merchandising solutions in ArtiosCAD, from concept through production-ready sampling, structural drawings, and specifications.
- Build palletization and load configurations in CAPE to optimize packaging performance, transportation efficiency, warehouse space, and shipping cost.
- Produce photorealistic 3D renderings and virtual mockups in Esko Studio for customer presentations and design approval leading to prototyping.
- Turn each customer's brand goals, protection needs, and retailer rules into a structural concept Wunderlich can manufacture efficiently and with the utmost quality.
- Refine designs to ensure simple, smooth, efficient production on the manufacturing lines, and minimize raw materials waste.
Prototyping & Testing
- Utilize industry-standard design room tools and equipment, including CNC/CAD sample-cutting machines (Kongsberg).
- Coordinate ISTA and UNPOP/DOT package performance testing with third-party labs — scoping test requirements, interpreting results, and translating findings into design adjustments for sales, manufacturing, and customers.
- Create and maintain the proper documentation for designs and tests.
Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Effectively partner with sales staff and customers to define project objectives, conduct design reviews, and secure approvals.
- Provide specific, expert technical advice & support to sales and customer service on layouts, estimating, die-making, order specifications, and material handling.
- Effectively coordinate with plant operations on die design, machine capabilities, vendor capabilities, and print/die-cut set-up for new orders.
- Willingly manage occasional small-run production & “customer emergency” needs which cannot be mass-produced, using design room equipment, and in coordination with plant management.
Project & Documentation Management
- Manage multiple concurrent design projects in Esko WebCenter, from concept through production, keeping status, files, and approvals current.
- Maintain organized, up-to-date project files, specifications, and documentation; review drawings for accuracy and standards compliance.
- Order cutting die tooling to meet approved design specifications and manufacturing line compatibility, and ensure delivery in time to meet customer due dates
- Assist plant management to develop and analyze cost data, including run-speed estimates, material usage, and waste factors, from a design perspective.
- Maintain design department supplies sufficient to provide all possible design solutions, managing stock sheet inventory.
Leadership & Mentorship
- Take ownership of the design function; ensure the success of the most complex, highest-value projects with direct lines of communication to Company leadership and with customers to advise on design form, function, and materials.
- Mentor and train junior designers as necessary; review work for quality and adherence to standards.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor's Degree in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, or a related field preferred — equivalent career experience will be considered.
- 5–7 years designing structural corrugated fibreboard packaging (boxes & POP/retail displays).
- Required software proficiency: ArtiosCAD (structural CAD), CAPE (palletization), and Esko Studio (3D rendering).
- Strong working knowledge of corrugated materials and industry manufacturing/converting processes.
- Possess a working understanding of ISTA & UNPOP/DOT package performance testing — able to scope test plans and interpret and adjust to third-party lab results.
- Comfortable producing prototypes on a Kongsberg (or comparable) CAD cutting table; ability to lift at least 30 lbs. to handle corrugated paper stock and samples.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
- Ability to think creatively; able to visualize how a two-dimensional flat stock material develops into a three-dimensional finished product by creasing, cutting, and assembly, and how to “methodize” the process into a manufacturing line environment
- Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines with minimal supervision.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with confidence presenting and negotiating designs directly with customers.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor or guide a design staff.
- Comfortable working in a small, close-knit team environment where flexibility and speed to market is crucial, and design, sales, and production staff collaborate closely in all respects to ensure a satisfied customer.
- Familiarity with various major retailer packaging & display requirements
- Familiarity with the construction of, characteristics of, and material performance of corrugated fibreboard
- Awareness of food safety requirements in packaging, industry trend concerning environmental impacts of packaging, and waste reduction
- Provide a PDF attachment of your portfolio or provide a link to an online portfolio.
Preferred / Nice-to-Have Skills
- Familiarity with Esko WebCenter for project and workflow management.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and/or Photoshop for graphics and presentation materials.
- Prior formal project management experience or training.
- A mechanically inclined mindset; comfortable learning new equipment and software quickly.
What Success Looks Like in Year 1
- Independently owns a caseload of complex design projects — from customer introduction through approved, production-ready design — hitting deadlines with minimal rework.
- Demonstrates full fluency across ArtiosCAD, CAPE, and Esko Studio, producing structural designs, pallet configurations, and renderings that meet or exceed customer standards.
- Manages the project pipeline cleanly in Esko WebCenter, with status and documentation reliably up to date.
- Scopes and coordinates outsourced die tooling and package testing lab work confidently, translating third-party lab results into actionable design changes.
- Builds credibility with sales and management as the technical “duty expert” resource, fielding design and feasibility questions and educating customers on technical matters in a way they can understand and agree.
- Contributes at least one design or process improvement that measurably reduces cost, material waste, or production time.
- Is actively mentoring at least one less experienced designer and is trusted with the company's most complex or highest-visibility accounts.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range: $90,000 – $115,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
- Competitive pay and affordable benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, and 401K.
- Annual bonus program.
- A respectful, empowering, team-oriented, and employee-friendly environment in a 167-year-old family-owned and operated business
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $90,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have experience in corrugated packaging, folding carton, or a similar field?
- Can you provide us with a link to, photos, or a .pdf with actual design projects you have completed?
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
Language:
Shift availability:
Ability to Commute:
- St. Louis, MO 63102 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- St. Louis, MO 63102: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
