Associate Packaging Engineer
Lamb Weston · Richland, WA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $65k–$97k
- Travel
- 25%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 1+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 7 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Lamb Weston (food & beverage) in Richland, WA. An Associate Packaging Engineer at Lamb Weston helps support identification, development and commercialization of new, improved, innovative packaging while supporting cross-functional project tasks.
- They ask for
- 1+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- SolidWorks, AutoCAD
- Base pay
- $65k–$97k
- Day to day
- about 25% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Washington: typical posted base $100k–$131k. This one lists $65k–$97k.
Median of the low and high ends of 19 live postings that list pay, out of 27 manufacturing engineer openings in Washington, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Washington plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 26 other live manufacturing postings in Washington.
- Base pay
- About 31% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (1+ vs 3+)
Typical $100k–$135k, from 18 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 74%
- Root cause 52%
- Lean 41%
- Automation 33%
- New product launch 30%
- ✓ SolidWorks 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Lamb Weston
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- The posting says about 25% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Lamb Weston in Richland
3 other open roles at this site.
- Packaging Engineer · Manufacturing
- Electronic/Electrical Tech II · Reliability · Technician
- Controls Technician II · Controls · Technician
Full description from Lamb WestonAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s Degree Required, Packaging or Engineering preferred.
- ✓Minimum of 1 co-op or internship, CPG preferred.
- ✓OR- 1+ years’ work experience in packaging industry, CPG preferred.
- ✓Strong understanding of packaging materials, capabilities, and equipment.
- ✓Thorough understanding of physical and structural package testing procedures.
- ✓Exposure to 2-D/3-D design programs (AutoCAD, ArtiosCad, and/or SolidWorks) preferred.
- ✓Ensures technical and performance needs are met for all projects
- ✓Collaborates with cross-functional teams to implement deliverables
- ✓Ability to identify packaging needs and drive continuous improvement.
- ✓Understands packaging processes and technology.
- ✓Applies knowledge of polymer science and engineering.
- ✓Understands basic packaging equipment and performance principals .
- ✓Understands the functionality of packaging and its intention for the marketplace.
- ✓Ability to travel up to 25% of time
- ✓Valid US Driver’s license and ability to meet Company driving standards.
Position 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
Industry-Competitive Benefits
- ✓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
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: $64,900.00 - $97,360.00
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Title: Associate Packaging Engineer
Location: Richland, WA
Job Requisition ID: Req-271461
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
An Associate Packaging Engineer at Lamb Weston helps support identification, development and commercialization of new, improved, 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 the stage gate process 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 efficiency in our manufacturing plants and throughout our distribution networks.
Job Description
- •Support the innovation stage-gate process on assigned packaging projects from ideation through commercialization.
- •Simultaneous support and lead high complex technical projects.
- •Develop ideas for savings, innovation, plant efficiency and quality improvements that are relevant to the business.
- •Independently plan, execute, and analyze plant/pilot plant/lab trials.
- •Develop and manage technical packaging specifications.
- •Establish strong working relationship with key suppliers.
- •Utilize Dynamics Lab to qualify material and perform prototyping.
Basic &