Food Science Internship - Product Development

1020 Lamb Weston Sales, Inc.; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. in Richland, WA offers a paid Food Science Internship focused on Innovation & Product Development. Interns will contribute to groundbreaking potato product development under a mentor, gain hands-on lab experience, and participate in pilot plant testing and data analysis.

The program pairs you with a development scientist, aligns projects to your career goals, and provides progressively increasing responsibilities with a capstone project and final presentation.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled or a recent graduate of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program related to Food Science. Juniors, Seniors, or Master’s degree students preferred but also accepting recent grads.
• Minimum GPA 3.0 preferred.
• Basic understanding of science (biology, chemistry, or food technology/engineering) to apply skills to support bench top/lab testing under supervision.
• Ability to problem solve with limited guidance.
• Continuous improvement mindset and methodology.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong organizational skills; proficiency with MS Office desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory and pilot plant experiments as part of developing new potato products and processes.
• Develop and execute research hypotheses to completion and document results.
• Assist with data collection, organization, analysis, and reporting; maintain electronic lab notebook.
• Collaborate with team members and mentor to support projects and capstone assignments.

Job description

Food Science Internship - Product Development

Location: Richland, WA

Job Requisition ID: Req-272102

Time Type: Full time

About Lamb Weston

You’ve probably enjoyed our fries without even knowing it! As a leading manufacturer in our industry, we inspire and bring people together with foods they love and trust. Our customer base includes international food service providers, restaurants, and households in over 100 countries around the world. A highly innovative global corporation with a start-up mindset, we empower every individual to make a genuine difference. You’ll gain access to hands-on training to fuel your growth and success, explore opportunities for new solutions, and you’ll join a winning team of 10,000+ people all dedicated to raising the bar - together. If you have a strong drive for results, a desire to help us bring the world together through our fries, and are ready for a fresh challenge, we want to hear from you.

Job Description Summary

Participate in a comprehensive, paid summer internship program designed to provide meaningful, hands-on experience in your field of interest. Interns are paired with a mentor and aligned to a department based on their career aspirations, education, and skills. Throughout the program, you will contribute to real business initiatives and complete a capstone project that showcases the impact of your work, culminating in a final presentation. The Food Science Intern specializing in Innovation & Product Development, will be a contributing member of a team that brings together leading-edge technical knowledge to spur development of new potato products and processes. This intern will gain industry insight while assisting professionals in research and projects. The intern will be a resource to the Principal Development Scientist in the execution of pilot plant tests and research experiments. They will receive pertinent training and mentoring during the internship and will be given progressively increasing responsibilities based on performance. The intern should be capable of working in a collaborative environment as demonstrated by sharing ideas, opinions, and expertise.

Typical responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Conducting laboratory and pilot plant experiments
• Developing and executing research hypotheses to completion
• Exposure to manufacturing processes and equipment
• Operating and assembling pilot plant equipment
• Preparing samples for laboratory analyses
• Documenting and maintaining accurate and complete records relevant to experiments and projects
• Collecting, organizing, analyzing, and summarizing data
• Maintaining a current and accurate electronic laboratory notebook
• Attending team meetings and discussions

Proficiencies Gained:

• Cross-functional team-building skills
• Exposure to contemporary business and technical challenges
• Networking with professionals with extensive industry experience
• Opportunity to personally drive projects based on individual’s skill and interest level

Unique approaches to Root Cause and Gap Analysis

Analytical and data evaluation experience

Basic & Preferred Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled or a recent graduate of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program related to Food Science. Juniors, Seniors, or Master’s degree students preferred but also accepting recent grads.
• Minimum GPA 3.0 preferred
• A basic understanding of science (biology, chemistry, or food technology/engineering) to apply skills to support bench top/lab testing under supervision of a professional
• Ability to problem solve with limited guidance
• Continuous improvement mindset and methodology
• Excellent verbal and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong computer competency with experience with MS suite of products desirable

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: 12/26/2026

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 hourly estimate for this role based on the variables previously mentioned is listed below. Pay Rate or Range: $22.00

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lamb Weston is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

Why join us

Started in 1950 on a small farm in the Northwest region of the U.S., Lamb Weston has grown to be one of the world’s largest frozen potato companies, happily delivering the delicious goodness of fries to more than 100 countries. Lamb Weston has created inventive products and processes that are standards in the industry. When we look at a potato, we see possibilities. Our people are a valuable and integral part of our business and play a vital role in our success as an organization. At Lamb Weston we offer the financial stability and career potential of a true industry leader. Lamb Weston will offer you the opportunity to put your education and skills to work as part of a great team, contributing to the achievement of the organization’s goals and objectives. You will be challenged to take responsibility, drive results, show creativity, and display initiative - and you will be rewarded for your contributions and impact.

Let’s explore the possibilities together.