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Senior Packaging Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Senior Staff Packaging Engineer Location: Leesburg, VA (5-15% Travel) Compensation: $128,000 - $136,000 Base Salary + Performance Bonus Potential Company Overview Our client is a leading privately ...

Senior Staff Packaging Engineer Location: Leesburg, VA (5-15% Travel) Compensation: $128,000 - $136,000 Base Salary + Performance Bonus Potential Company Overview Our client is a leading privately ...

THE IMPACT YOU WILL MAKE The Desktop Packaging Engineer role is responsible for building, testing ... End User Services - Technology Engineering - Senior Associate #LI-JM1 #LI-Hybrid Qualifications ...

THE IMPACT YOU WILL MAKE The Desktop Packaging Engineer role is responsible for building, testing ... End User Services - Technology Engineering - Senior Associate #LI-JM1 #LI-Hybrid Qualifications ...

THE IMPACT YOU WILL MAKE The Desktop Packaging Engineer role is responsible for building, testing ... End User Services - Technology Engineering - Senior Associate #LI-JM1 #LI-Hybrid Qualifications ...

THE IMPACT YOU WILL MAKE The Desktop Packaging Engineer role is responsible for building, testing ... End User Services - Technology Engineering - Senior Associate #LI-JM1 #LI-Hybrid Qualifications ...

The Packaging Engineering Manager is a strategic and dynamic role that will lead a team of analysts ... Advise Sr. Manager of potential conflicts, issues or delays to the design, implementation ...

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Senior Packaging Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$76.8K

$113.6K

$157.6K

How much do senior packaging engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior packaging engineer in Virginia is $113,591.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,700.00 and $118,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the primary responsibilities and day-to-day activities of a Senior Packaging Engineer?

As a Senior Packaging Engineer, your daily responsibilities often include designing and testing packaging solutions, evaluating material performance, and optimizing current packaging designs for cost and sustainability. You’ll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams such as product development, manufacturing, marketing, and suppliers to ensure packaging meets both technical and branding requirements. Expect to lead or contribute to project teams, conduct root cause analyses for packaging failures, and stay up-to-date with regulatory and environmental guidelines. This role typically offers a mix of desk-based design work, on-site testing, and meetings, providing varied opportunities for both technical development and leadership.

What is a Senior Packaging Engineer job?

A Senior Packaging Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing packaging solutions for products to ensure functionality, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. They collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product development, manufacturing, and marketing, to create packaging that meets regulatory requirements and enhances user experience. Additionally, they analyze materials, conduct testing, and implement improvements to enhance packaging performance and reduce environmental impact.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Senior Packaging Engineer position, and why are they important?

A Senior Packaging Engineer typically requires a degree in engineering (mechanical, packaging, or related field), extensive experience in packaging design, and strong knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes. Proficiency in CAD software, packaging simulation tools, and familiarity with industry standards like ISTA or ASTM certifications is common. Excellent project management, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills set top candidates apart. These skills are critical for developing innovative, cost-effective packaging solutions that meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements while collaborating across teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Packaging Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Packaging Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Packaging Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Senior Packaging Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Packaging Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Packaging Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Senior Packaging Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Senior Packaging Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Packaging Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,591 per year, or $54.6 per hour.
Senior Packaging Engineer

Senior Packaging Engineer

Smithfield Foods, Inc.

Smithfield, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.
Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special - a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact. Apply Now!
THE VALUE YOU'LL BRING:
As the Senior Packaging Engineer, you'll play a key role in analyzing data and drafting implementation plans to optimize our production processes. Your mission is to maximize efficiencies by eliminating waste and reducing operating costs, directly impacting our bottom line. You'll be instrumental in the manufacturing of our renowned brands, including Smithfield, Eckrich, and Nathan's Famous, ensuring we meet the needs of our customers and consumers.
In this role, you'll interface with our operating facilities and suppliers to develop and implement best practices for packaging equipment and materials. Your expertise will help us maintain high standards and innovate in our packaging processes.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.
  • Strategy and Execution: You will be responsible for designing and executing packaging technology strategies from concept to commercialization, including growth initiatives, quality improvements, productivity/cost-reduction activities, troubleshooting activities, and general packaging support, as needed. You will conduct trials to ensure efficient and effective execution.
  • Relationship Building: You will build and maintain relationships with internal and external resources in order to cost-effectively implement engineering and equipment initiatives. You will routinely communicate with members of Operations, Sales, Marketing, Sourcing, Engineering and Quality Assurance to report progress on projects and receive feedback to develop product that meet expectations.
  • Best Practices and Innovation: You will leverage best practices and capitalize on technologies with cross-functional, cross-site business applications. You will promote innovative thinking to generate unique and value-added ideas for existing or new products.
  • Equipment and Specifications: You will develop and maintain equipment specifications to determine overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) on packaging equipment.
  • Mentorship: You will act as a lead by training, mentoring, and providing guidance to less experienced packaging engineers.

WHAT WE'RE SEEKING:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or related field and 5+ years related experience in process and packaging equipment required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Energized by collaboration through travel to other locations depending on the initiative being executed.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:
  • Broad knowledge of packaging materials, equipment and manufacturing processes including plant layouts.
  • Experience in the food industry, preferred.
  • General knowledge of food science, processing and manufacturing, preferred.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Strong time management, project management, organizational skills and the ability to work independently.
  • Possesses good research and development capabilities, including experimental design, familiarity with packaging testing methodology and experience in commercialization.
  • Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
  • Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
  • Ability to understand and manipulate both packaging and pallet specifications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
  • Mobility: Some positions may involve frequent bending, moving, lifting, and carrying materials weighing up to 50 pounds. In more physically demanding roles, this weight may go up to 70 pounds.
  • Standing: You may need to stand for up to eight hours each day, especially during site visits or meetings.
  • Weather Conditions: Depending on the job context, you might work in various weather conditions, including exposure to outdoor elements.
  • Terrain: If you visit project sites, you may encounter uneven terrain, so mobility and adaptability are essential.

IndSPR-Corp
The expected pay range for this position is $85,000 - $120,000 annually.
Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate's qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here.
Relocation Package AvailableYes
EEO Information
Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.