Will AI replace packaging engineers?

Why AI struggles to replace this job

• Designing packaging that balances brand aesthetics with structural integrity requires creative human vision.
• Developing sustainable materials involves navigating complex supply chains and evolving environmental regulations.
• Physical prototyping and 'drop testing' require hands-on evaluation of how materials behave in the real world.
• Understanding the consumer's unboxing experience is a psychological and sensory factor that AI cannot feel.

Tasks AI could automate

• Running simulations to test the structural strength of a box design under weight.
• Calculating the minimum amount of material needed to protect a specific product shape.
• Searching databases for alternative materials with specific moisture-resistance properties.
• Creating 3D CAD models from basic dimensional specifications provided by clients.

The 10-year outlook

The outlook is very strong as companies move away from plastics toward complex biodegradable materials. Wages will likely rise as the role requires more advanced knowledge of chemistry and environmental law.

Common questions