Packaging Simulation Engineer

Job Title: Packaging Simulation Engineer

Location: Leeds, UK

The Deodorants category is a key part of the Unilever Personal Care Business Group. With a family of Power Brands – Rexona, Dove, Axe – which are critical growth drivers of the company.

We are looking for a Packaging Simulation Engineer to help shape the future of deodorant packaging for some of the world’s most recognisable Personal Care brands.

Job Purpose

As a Packaging Simulation Engineer in Deodorants you will drive the application of predictive engineering and digital simulation to deliver robust, high-performing and sustainable packaging solutions.

You will work across multiple innovation and capability projects, applying advanced simulation tools and digital methodologies to guide design decisions from early concept through to manufacture.

By integrating simulation into the product development process, you will enable faster learning, reduce physical testing and mold iterations, and ensure designs are optimised for performance, manufacturability and consumer use.

In order to deliver the greatest value for both the consumer and our brands, your role is to ensure technical rigour, generate insight from virtual testing, and translate this into clear recommendations that strengthen design outcomes.

WHY JOIN UNILEVER DESIGN

Joining Unilever Design means working within an ambitious, high-performing and collaborative team focused on delivering impactful brand innovation.
You will operate in an agile, open-minded environment alongside passionate thinkers and doers, contributing to advancements across sustainability, digital technology, packaging capability and business growth.
In Unilever, you will collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and external partners to create value and meet consumer needs through meaningful and technically robust solutions.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Apply simulation and digital engineering tools to predict and optimise packaging performance. E.g. component strength, deformation, durability, user interactions (sensorials, haptics, acoustics), and injection molding.

Build and execute simulation strategies using modern platforms (Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE), including the in-housing/onboarding of externally managed simulation models into said platform for reuse.

Translate design requirements into robust simulation plans for innovation projects, supporting rapid and confident decision making.

Generate insight from simulation results and clearly communicate recommendations to project teams and stakeholders.

Partner with Design Engineers and Product Designers to influence concepts early and guide them towards manufacturable, high-performing solutions.

Support the integration of simulation within the wider digital ecosystem (e.g. PLM platforms, Centralised digital teams, Digital R&D frameworks, HPC infrastructure).

Validation of simulation models through correlation with physical testing, dimensional measurement and materials characterisation.

Use Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical approaches to improve robustness and reduce technical risk.
Support project leaders by providing data-driven insights and technical guidance to aid decision making.

Collaborate with and guide external simulation partners and agencies to deliver high-quality outputs.

Contribute to capability building, defining best practices, workflows and future simulation strategies.

Actively participate in cross-category Communities of Practice to share knowledge and drive excellence.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Design Engineering, Simulation, Materials or related discipline.

Experience applying simulation in product or packaging development, ideally within FMCG or consumer products.

Strong understanding of Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) also a benefit.

Experience with simulation tools such as Abaqus, Ansys, LS-Dyna, Moldflow, Moldex3D, or similar. The ideal candidate will be familiar with the Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE platform, and modern digital workflows.

Understanding of plastics, material behaviour, and manufacturing processes (injection moulding, assembly).

Experience using CAD tools (NX preferred) and working within data-managed environments (PLM).

Knowledge of Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis and data interpretation.

Exposure to scripting, automation, digital integration, and AI approaches is desirable.

We would be looking for a candidate with 3-5+ years of experience as a simulation engineer in either an in-house engineering team or engineering consultancy.

ABOUT YOU

Analytical and curious mindset, able to translate complex technical challenges into clear insights.

Strong collaborator, working effectively across multi-disciplinary teams.

Clear communicator, able to simplify complex outputs into actionable recommendations.

A passion for High Performance and continuous improvement.

A Talent Catalyst who contributes to team capability and knowledge sharing.

Agile and adaptable, able to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Proactive, with a drive to explore new tools, methods and technologies.

Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Please send us a short statement outlining why you would be a great fit for the role, along with your CV.
Where possible, include examples of work demonstrating simulation, engineering analysis, or data-driven problem solving.

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all. 

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. We want to push boundaries, and have the flexibility needed to keep adapting in an ever-changing, more dynamic world. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

As part of your hiring journey, we are happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments, to improve your recruitment experience.

To find out more, including more information about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here.

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