Packaging Engineer

About the role

• Title: Packaging Engineer
• Location: Richland, WA
• Job Requisition ID: Req-271463
• Time Type: Full time

Job Description Summary

The Packaging Engineer position at Lamb Weston helps support identification, development, and commercialization of new, improved, and innovative packaging while supporting cross-functional project tasks. This position leads simple to complex projects and supports technical initiatives as needed. It also acts as a key packaging resource for one or more business units and works both independently and as part of a team.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for working directly with packaging suppliers, material, and technology to help drive innovation and new business. This candidate will also drive projects focused on the interface between the packages we design and operational efficiencies in our manufacturing plants and throughout our distribution networks.

Position Responsibilities

• Support the innovation stage-gate process on assigned packaging projects from ideation through commercialization.
• Effectively communicate within the greater packaging technical community.
• Lead technical delivery of base business projects independently while simultaneously supporting high complexity technical projects.
• Support assigned business unit on all packaging projects from ideation through commercialization. Understand BU strategic goals and performance as well as customer base and packaging performance.
• Develop ideas for savings, innovation, plant efficiency and quality improvements that are relevant to the business.
• Collaborate with business and technical peers on assigned projects, as well as external partners and resources.
• Independently plan, execute, and analyze plant/pilot plant/lab trials.
• Prepare and present results of technical reports to leadership team, both written and oral.
• Document trial results using standard processes to include written reports. Share results with relevant parties.
• Review and approve, interpret, develop, and issue technical specifications.
• Utilized as a subject matter expert in selected packaging technology platforms.
• Establish strong working relationship with key suppliers.
• Maintain strong understanding and application of experimental design, performance specs, and material qualification/CQV process.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the packaging principles and operating systems for the assigned business.
• Maintain awareness of technical trends and developments in the packaging industry.
• Participate and/or lead brainstorming and information gathering for resource planning process as needed.
• Mentor to associate engineers.
• Gain familiarity with fiscal and strategic plans of team.
• Contribute as needed on cross-functional teams.
• Become aware of project tasks implications to budget.

Position Qualifications

• Bachelors in Packaging, Engineering, or related field required.
• 2+ years' work experience in packaging industry, CPG preferred.
• Strong understanding of packaging materials capabilities and equipment.
• Understanding of government regulatory requirements in the processing of food.
• Strong ability to collaborate and maintain cross-functional partnerships, both internally and externally.
• Ability to effectively, appropriately communicate to senior organization, both verbally and nonverbally.
• Advanced analytical and logical problem-solving abilities.
• Basic understanding of food science and how food affects packaging.
• Basic understanding of food safety, sanitary design, and equipment cleaning.
• Thorough understanding of physical and structural package testing procedures.
• Financial understanding to optimize profitability.
• Team building skills that focus on mentoring and coaching.
• Strong negotiating skills when working through conflict resolution.
• Proficient in 2-D/3-D design programs (AutoCAD, ArtiosCad, and/or SolidWorks).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of time
• Valid US Drivers license and ability to meet Company driving standards.

Position Physical Requirements

Incumbent must have the ability to effectively perform all of the following physical demands:

• Ability to lift 25 to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand for 75% of a day
• Ability to sit for 4 hours at a time

Industry-Competitive Benefits

Coupled with our compensation and bonus incentive programs, our benefits deliver rewards that are market competitive. Some of the most attractive elements of our benefit programs include:

• Health Insurance Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care, and Health Reimbursement Accounts
• Well-being programs including companywide events and a wellness incentive program
• Paid Time Off
• Financial Wellness - Industry leading 401(k) plan with generous company contributions, Financial Planning Services, Employee Stock purchase program, and Health Savings Accounts, Life and Accident insurance
• Family-Friendly Employee events
• Employee Assistance Program services - mental health and other concierge type services

Benefits may vary based on location, job role/level, job status, and/or the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Anticipated Close Date

• The anticipated close date is a good faith estimate for when this job will be closed. Some jobs may be unposted or filled earlier or later than the Anticipated Close Date depending on interview processes and business needs.
• Anticipated Close Date: 10/10/2026

Pay Transparency

In compliance with applicable state and local laws, Lamb Weston has opted to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. This compensation is specific to this position and takes into account a number of variables. Actual compensation may be higher or lower in the range posted based on various factors, including, but not limited to, job duties, experience and expertise. A candidate's work location could also impact the actual compensation being outside of the range to reflect local cost of labor. A reasonable annual estimate of the range for this role is listed below.

Pay Rate or Range: $78,520.00 - $117,790.00