How Packaging Engineers Solve Problems (and Where They Go for Help)

Packaging engineers are constantly solving problems; whether it's meeting a sustainability target, sourcing a material that doesn’t yet exist, or getting a finicky line to run a new closure. But where do they turn when they need answers?

Our 2025 Packaging Engineer Survey gave us a glimpse into how engineers actually find solutions and the variety of tools, teams, and communities they rely on.

Engineers Are Resourceful by Nature

Most respondents reported using a mix of internal and external resources to solve problems. Common go-to sources included:

• Internal cross-functional teams – especially in companies with strong R&D or manufacturing support

• Suppliers and vendors – often the first call for materials troubleshooting or equipment questions

• Search engines – yes, engineers Google things too

• Professional communities and LinkedIn groups – to see what peers in similar industries are doing

• Past projects and documentation – for troubleshooting or iterating on earlier designs

  
  

Some respondents even mentioned online forums, Reddit, and AI tools—a sign that information gathering is evolving alongside technology.

The Isolation Challenge

One trend we saw in the open responses: engineers in smaller or less-supported teams often feel isolated. Without a dedicated packaging team or clear process for problem-solving, they end up having to build solutions from scratch—often without mentorship or feedback loops.

That makes access to outside knowledge critical.

Knowledge-Sharing Is a Competitive Advantage

Companies that build strong internal knowledge systems—shared test data, searchable past projects, clear vendor contacts—aren’t just more efficient. They’re more attractive to top engineers.

Respondents made it clear: being expected to solve complex problems without access to support or prior art is a major frustration—and a red flag when evaluating job offers.

What This Means for You

If you're an engineer, know that you’re not alone. There are entire communities of packaging pros facing similar challenges. Sharing knowledge can go a long way in making your job easier and more impactful.

If you're a hiring manager, consider how accessible your institutional knowledge really is. Are engineers sharing information or reinventing the wheel? A little infrastructure can go a long way.

Next up, we’ll explore what benefits packaging engineers are actually getting, and how those benefits tie into compensation.

— The PackStaff Team