Full-Time
Senior Packaging Engineer
Posted on 5/9/2026
Lamb Weston
501-1,000 employees
Global producer of frozen potato products
Compensation Overview
$95k - $142.5k/yr
Richland, WA, USA
In Person
 Mechanical Engineering (2) |
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- Bachelor in Packaging, Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of 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 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 packaging 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
- Support the innovation stage-gate process on assigned packaging projects from ideation through commercialization
- Conceptualizes, designs, prototypes and commercializes functional packaging for new products to meet design criteria
- Identifies and initiates opportunities and brings together cross-functional expertise to drive efficiencies, optimize processes and build the business
- Applies knowledge of operations, other functions in Lamb Weston and at the customer to address value chain problems
- Identifies and validates new materials/expertise/technologies and potential new packaging solutions
- External collaboration to discovery new packaging technologies
- Collaborates with other team members to generate new concepts/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 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 innovation, operational, 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
- Utilized as a subject matter expert in selected packaging technology platforms
- 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 and/or manager to associate engineers
- MS in Packaging, Engineering, or related field
- Proficient in 2-D/3-D design programs (AutoCAD, ArtiosCad, and/or SolidWorks)
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
Lamb Weston is a global food processing company that produces and distributes frozen potato products and related items. Its portfolio includes french fries, waffle fries, sweet potato fries, and other frozen potato items, along with appetizers and vegetable products, sold to restaurants, retailers, and other food-service customers worldwide. The product works by being manufactured at scale in plants, frozen or par-frozen, and shipped to customers ready for heating and serving. Lamb Weston differentiates itself through its large-scale, global supply network, specialized potato processing capabilities, and broad product range aimed at both food-service operators and retailers, enabling consistent quality and reliable delivery. The company’s goal is to be a trusted, high-volume supplier of frozen potato and related foods, meeting the needs of diverse customers around the world with efficient production and distribution.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Kennewick, Washington
Founded
1950
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- North American volumes surged 12% with 5% net sales growth.
- Raised FY2026 guidance to $6.45–6.55B sales and $1.08–1.14B EBITDA.
- Starboard Value pushes deeper cost cuts beyond $250M program.
What critics are saying
- Starboard Value forces asset sales or board overhaul in 3–6 months.
- China and India exports erode pricing, trigger $33M potato write-offs.
- European surplus slashes international EBITDA 20–30% via plant closures.
What makes Lamb Weston unique
- #1 in North America and #2 globally in frozen potato products.
- Global footprint with scale and modern manufacturing capabilities.
- Long-standing partnerships with chains like McDonald's and Yum Brands.
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People at Lamb Weston who can refer or advise you
Benefits
Health Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Employee Assistance Program
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Wellness Program
Family-Friendly Employee events
Company News
Lamb Weston delivered its fifth consecutive quarter of in-line or better results, led by strong North American performance where volume grew 12% and net sales increased 5%. The frozen potato producer has tightened its fiscal 2026 guidance range with a higher midpoint for net sales and EBITDA. CEO Mike Smith credited customer wins, market share gains and improved operational execution despite soft restaurant traffic. Overall quick-service restaurant traffic rose just 1% in the quarter. The International business faced challenges from European potato surplus, local sourcing in developing markets and weak restaurant traffic. In response, Lamb Weston announced closure of its Monroe, Argentina plant, temporarily curtailed a Netherlands production line and will not resume production at one Australian facility.
Lamb Weston reported quarterly earnings of $0.72 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.61 per share by 18.42%. This compares to earnings of $1.10 per share a year ago. The company has now surpassed consensus earnings estimates for four consecutive quarters. The frozen foods supplier posted revenues of $1.56 billion for the quarter ended February 2026, exceeding estimates by 5.40% and topping year-ago revenues of $1.52 billion. Lamb Weston has beaten consensus revenue estimates four times over the past four quarters. Shares have gained 0.9% year-to-date, outperforming the S&P 500's 4.6% decline. The company currently holds a Zacks Rank of Hold, suggesting shares are expected to perform in line with the market near-term.
Lamb Weston reported mixed third-quarter results with volume rising 7% but margins under pressure. North American volume surged 12%, whilst constant-currency price/mix fell 7%. Adjusted EBITDA declined $101 million to $272 million, impacted by unfavourable mix, a $33 million international raw-potato write-off and underutilised European and Latin American capacity. The company raised its fiscal 2026 guidance, projecting net sales of $6.45–6.55 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $1.08–1.14 billion. Management is implementing a $250 million cost-savings programme and restructuring its production footprint through plant closures to address European oversupply. Year-to-date cash from operations reached $596 million with free cash flow of $339 million. The company returned $205 million to shareholders and approved a $0.38 quarterly dividend.
Lamb Weston, a potato products company, will report quarterly earnings tomorrow before the market opens. Analysts expect revenue to decline 2.2% year on year, reversing the 4.3% increase recorded in the same quarter last year. Last quarter, Lamb Weston beat revenue expectations with $1.62 billion, up 1.1% year on year. However, the company has missed Wall Street's revenue estimates multiple times over the past two years. Analysts have generally reconfirmed their estimates over the last 30 days. The consumer staples sector has underperformed recently, with share prices down 9.7% on average over the last month. Lamb Weston has fallen 12.2% during the same period. Analysts have set an average price target of $52, compared to the current share price of $41.06.
Lamb Weston Holdings was added to the Russell Small Cap Value Index on 20 March 2026, broadening its visibility among institutional and passive investors tracking Russell value indices. The index inclusion does not materially change near-term fundamentals but may modestly improve liquidity and visibility. The company's investment case hinges on frozen potato demand resilience through quick-service restaurant and foodservice cycles, and management's ability to protect margins amid promotional and cost pressures. The biggest risk remains pricing pressure and unfavourable product mix in a competitive market, which could weigh on net sales and EBITDA margins. Lamb Weston's narrative projects $6.7 billion revenue and $550.7 million earnings by 2028, requiring 1.3% yearly revenue growth. The company reports Q3 2026 results on 1 April.