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Packaging Science Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Kimley-Horn is looking for Environmental Science graduates to join our Reston, Virginia (VA) office ... We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led ...

Overview Kimley-Horn is looking for Environmental Science graduates to join our Reston, Virginia ... We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led ...

Overview Kimley-Horn is looking for Environmental Science graduates to join our Reston, Virginia ... We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led ...

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Packaging Science information

See Virginia salary details

$12

$18

$26

How much do packaging science jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for packaging science in Virginia is $18.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.20 and $19.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a packaging scientist do?

A packaging scientist designs and develops packaging materials and systems to protect products during storage, transportation, and sale. They analyze material properties, conduct testing, and use tools like CAD software to create effective packaging solutions, often working in laboratories or manufacturing environments. Strong knowledge of materials science, engineering, and quality standards is essential for this role.

What can you do with a packaging science degree?

A packaging science degree prepares individuals for roles in designing, developing, and testing packaging solutions for products across various industries. Graduates can work as packaging engineers, product developers, quality assurance specialists, or supply chain coordinators, often utilizing skills in materials, manufacturing processes, and industry standards. Certifications in packaging or related technical skills can enhance employment opportunities in this field.

What engineering jobs pay $500,000?

Engineering roles such as petroleum engineers, aerospace engineers, and certain senior software or systems engineers can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and specialized skills in high-demand industries or leadership positions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Packaging Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Packaging Scientist, you need a solid background in materials science, chemistry, and engineering, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, packaging testing equipment, and sustainability assessment tools is often required, along with knowledge of industry standards and regulations. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and addressing client needs. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable packaging solutions that meet safety and regulatory requirements.

Is packaging science worth it?

Packaging science is a valuable field that combines engineering, design, and material knowledge to develop efficient packaging solutions. Careers in this area often require technical skills and knowledge of industry standards, and they can offer stable employment with opportunities for advancement. The field is relevant across many industries, including consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and logistics.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Packaging Science, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Packaging Science often encounter challenges such as balancing cost-effectiveness with sustainability, meeting regulatory requirements, and ensuring product protection during transit. Addressing these challenges typically involves collaborating closely with cross-functional teams in engineering, marketing, and supply chain management to develop innovative packaging solutions. Staying updated on new materials, technologies, and regulations is also essential for success in this evolving field.

What is the difference between Packaging Science vs Packaging Engineering?

AspectPackaging SciencePackaging Engineering
EducationBachelor's in Packaging Science, Materials Science, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, product development, packaging designManufacturing plants, design labs, production facilities
CertificationsOften not required, but certifications like CPP can helpProfessional engineering licenses (PE) may be relevant
Industry UsageProduct packaging development, material testing, sustainabilityPackaging design, structural analysis, process optimization

Packaging Science focuses on the research, development, and testing of packaging materials and solutions, emphasizing sustainability and product protection. Packaging Engineering involves designing and implementing packaging systems, often with a focus on structural integrity and manufacturing processes. Both roles overlap in education and industry, but Packaging Science leans more toward research and material innovation, while Packaging Engineering emphasizes practical design and production.

What is packaging science?

Packaging science is an interdisciplinary field focused on the design, development, testing, and production of packaging materials and systems. It combines principles from materials science, engineering, chemistry, and marketing to create packaging that protects products, extends shelf life, and appeals to consumers. Professionals in this field work to ensure packaging is functional, sustainable, and cost-effective. Packaging scientists may also address regulatory compliance, environmental impact, and innovations in materials or technology.
What are popular job titles related to Packaging Science jobs in Virginia? For Packaging Science jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Packaging Science job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,862 per year, or $18.7 per hour.

SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

69th of 210 rated it services


Job description

SAIC is seeking a Data Scientist to join our team to provide Subject Matter expertise and support specializing in natural language(NLP) processing and associated data preparation. The ideal candidate will have experienced SQL and Python skills to transform both structured and unstructured data into clear and concise analytic insights. This position in in Mclean, VA and requires a TS/SCI with polygraph.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Work closely with data scientist and technical team to implement requirements.
  • Conduct sophisticated analysis using deployed tools and natural language processing (NLP).
  • Analyze large amounts of raw data, including text data, to provide business insights.
  • Preprocess or clean structured and unstructured data, including text data.
  • Design and implement advanced ETL code and table configurations for complex data sets. 
  • Use Structured Query Language (SQL) in Sponsor's Oracle database to develop and organize relevant information with supporting analytics. 
  • Author analytic publications and produce ad-hoc reports to include data visualization.
  • Stay current with enterprise metadata collection tools.
  • Provide technical education to staff on an ad-hoc basis. 
  • Provide subject matter expertise in natural language processing (NLP).
SAIC is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.
  • Bachelors and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters and twelve (12) years or more experience; PhD or JD and nine (9) years or more experience.
  • Demonstrated professional or academic experience performing NLP tasks, including selecting the best Python libraries for a given task, choosing appropriate pre-processing actions, performing analysis, and assessing model performance.
  • Demonstrated professional or academic experience using Python NLP packages such as Spacy, Gensim, or NLTK to analyze or process collections of documents.
  • Demonstrated professional or academic experience with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch, Tensorflow, or Keras.
  • Demonstrated professional or academic experience with the HuggingFace Transformers library and hub.
  • Demonstrated experience creating machine learning models that conduct text classification and topic modeling in Python using standard machine learning (Scikit-learn) or deep learning models.
  • Demonstrated academic or professional experience using encoder-decoder and generative language models to perform NLP tasks.
  • Demonstrated academic or professional experience communicating methodological choices and model results.
  • Demonstrated professional or academic experience and proficiency with SQL to include using common table expressions, set operations, aggregated functions and nested subqueries.
  • Demonstrated professional or academic experience with version control systems such as Github and Jenkins.
  • Demonstrated experience leveraging GPUs for accelerated computing.
  • Developed practical approaches for measuring performance.
  • Assisted in developing types of measure, the collection of data, analyzing the data, and presenting that data to senior leadership.
  • Conducted advanced statistical analysis on personnel, intelligence, and performance metrics.
  • Assisted in selection or development of appropriate methodology to conduct research.
  • Analyzed information and provide research findings in a manner that is easily grasped by the customer and consumers.
  • TS/SCI with polygraph.

Desired Skills:

  • Experience writing Python scripts that pull data from web-based APIs and relational databases.
  • Experience with cloud computing development and architecture.
  • Demonstrated experience with front-end web development frameworks such as Flask.
  • Demonstrated experience developing applications for semantic search.
  • Demonstrated experience tuning LLMs on custom data sets and applying results to specific use cases.
  • Demonstrated professional or academic experience and proficiency with Tableau to produce visualizations and dashboards.

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