Sr Packaging Engineer

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance benefits

Well-being programs

Paid time off

Job summary

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. in Richland, WA is seeking a Sr. Packaging Engineer to lead long‑term packaging innovation from ideation to commercialization.

The role focuses on developing new packaging solutions and driving efficiencies across manufacturing plants and distribution networks. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in packaging, strong materials knowledge, and experience collaborating across functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Engineering, or related field required; Master’s preferred.
• 5+ years’ work experience in the 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 travel up to 25% of time.

Responsibilities

• Support the innovation stage‑gate process on assigned packaging projects from ideation through commercialization.
• Conceptualize, design, prototype and commercialize functional packaging for new products to meet design criteria.
• Identify and initiate opportunities and bring together cross‑functional expertise to drive efficiencies, optimize processes and build the business.
• Apply knowledge of operations, other functions in Lamb Weston and at the customer to address value‑chain problems.
• Identify and validate new materials, expertise and technologies and potential new packaging solutions.

Skills

Packaging engineering

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Mentoring

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Engineering, or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

ArtiosCAD

SolidWorks

Microsoft Office

Job description

Title: Sr Packaging Engineer

Location: Richland, WA

Job Requisition ID: Req-260017

Time Type: Full time

Job Description Summary

The Sr. Packaging Engineer focuses on long term Innovation and leads the identification, development and commercialization of multiple complex projects to successfully launch new product and packaging solutions. The Sr. Packaging Engineer leads identification, development and commercialization of new, improved, and innovative packaging solutions 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.

Responsibilities

• Support the innovation stage‑gate process on assigned packaging projects from ideation through commercialization.
• Conceptualize, design, prototype and commercialize functional packaging for new products to meet design criteria.
• Identify and initiate opportunities and bring together cross‑functional expertise to drive efficiencies, optimize processes and build the business.
• Apply knowledge of operations, other functions in Lamb Weston and at the customer to address value‑chain problems.
• Identify and validate new materials, expertise and technologies and potential new packaging solutions.
• Engage in external collaboration to discover new packaging technologies.
• Collaborate with team members to generate new concepts and opportunities in product and packaging.
• Effectively communicate within the greater packaging technical community.
• Lead technical delivery of base business projects independently while simultaneously supporting high‑complexity technical projects.
• Support the assigned business units 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 innovation, operational and quality improvements 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 the leadership team, both written and oral.
• Document trial results using standard processes to include written reports and share results with relevant parties.
• Utilize as a subject‑matter expert in selected packaging technology platforms.
• Maintain strong understanding and application of experimental design, performance specifications 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 processes as needed.
• Mentor and/or manage associate engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Engineering, or related field required; Master’s preferred.
• 5+ years’ work experience in the 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 non‑verbally.
• 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.
• Proficiency in 2‑D/3‑D design programs (AutoCAD, ArtiosCAD, and/or SolidWorks).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of time.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and ability to meet company driving standards.

Physical Requirements

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

Key Functional Competencies

• Value Chain, Financial & Business Acumen — Ability to strategically seek out, analyze and take action on business opportunities across the entire value chain (product, packaging, and process) to optimize Lamb Weston’s growth.
• Innovative and Strategic Thinking — Proactively generates and evaluates ideas, concepts and opportunities in creative ways (even with imperfect information) to deliver enterprise level thinking, vision & direction.
• Product & Manufacturing Knowledge — Leverages knowledge of product, packaging, supply chain, market and customer to influence decisions and drive a competitive advantage.
• Concept Creation & Development — Translates diverse insights to build and scale innovative packages and products to meet the needs of consumers and customers.
• Project Management — Develops, implements, facilitates and manages comprehensive project plans that deliver objectives.
• Work Process Discipline and Execution — Develops, documents, implements and maintains standardized processes, procedures and programs.
• Food Science — Knowledge of food science principles (including chemistry, engineering, microbiology & sensory) to design, develop and enhance products from ideation to commercialization.
• Packaging Engineering — Understanding and applying knowledge of material sciences, manufacturing and equipment capabilities to design, develop and enhance packaging from ideation to commercialization.
• Commercialization — Translates formulations and specifications from batch to full‑scale production including hand‑off to Supply Chain utilizing food safety standards.

Benefits

• Health insurance benefits: medical, dental, vision; flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care; health reimbursement accounts.
• Well‑being programs including company‑wide events and wellness incentive program.
• Paid time off.
• Financial wellness—industry‑leading 401(k) plan with generous company contributions, financial planning services, employee stock purchase program, health savings accounts, life and accident insurance.
• Family‑friendly employee events.
• Employee assistance program services—mental health and other concierge‑type services.

Compensation

Pay Rate or Range: $95,020.00 – $142,520.00

Anticipated Close Date

04/12/2026

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.