1

Sonoco Jobsexternal in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 - all while keeping the heart of "People Build Businesses ...

From a small family business to a multi-billion dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 - all while keeping the heart of "People Build Businesses ...

Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with ...

Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with ...

Controls Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$102K - $114K/yr

From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 - all while keeping the heart of "People Build Businesses ...

General Laborer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$22.63/hr

From a small family business to a multi-billion dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 - all while keeping the heart of "People Build Businesses ...

Sonoco information

See Virginia salary details

$28

$36

$42

How much do sonoco jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for sonoco in Virginia is $36.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.85 and $39.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is Sonoco?

Sonoco is a global provider of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and packaging supply chain services. Founded in 1899 and headquartered in Hartsville, South Carolina, Sonoco serves a wide range of industries, including food, beverage, healthcare, and industrial markets. The company is known for its innovative packaging solutions, such as paper-based packaging, rigid plastic containers, and temperature-assured packaging for perishable goods. Sonoco operates in over 30 countries and places a strong emphasis on sustainability and recycling initiatives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a packaging engineer at Sonoco?

To thrive as a Packaging Engineer at Sonoco, you need a solid background in engineering principles, materials science, and packaging design, often supported by a relevant degree such as mechanical or chemical engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, packaging testing equipment, and industry standards like ISTA or ASTM is commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, project management skills, and effective communication help candidates excel in cross-functional teams and with clients. These skills ensure innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable packaging solutions that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

What are the most common challenges faced by employees working in Sonoco’s manufacturing facilities?

Employees in Sonoco’s manufacturing facilities often encounter challenges such as adapting to fast-paced production environments, maintaining strict safety and quality standards, and effectively communicating across shifts and teams. Managing machinery and technology updates, as well as adhering to lean manufacturing principles, can also demand continuous learning and flexibility. However, Sonoco provides comprehensive training and encourages collaboration, which helps employees overcome these challenges and contribute to process improvements.

What is the difference between Sonoco vs Packaging Operator?

AspectSonocoPackaging Operator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require technical trainingHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training provided
Work EnvironmentManufacturing facilities, production linesManufacturing or production lines in packaging plants
Industry UsagePackaging, paper, and consumer products industriesPackaging and manufacturing industries
Common Search/ComparisonSonoco vs Packaging Operator

Sonoco is a global packaging company that employs various roles, including Packaging Operators. Packaging Operators work directly on production lines, handling packaging tasks in manufacturing settings. While Sonoco oversees overall operations and management, Packaging Operators focus on the hands-on production process. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, making them common points of comparison for job seekers interested in the packaging industry.

Is Sonoco a good company to work for?

Sonoco is a global packaging company that offers a range of manufacturing and distribution roles. Employees generally report stable employment, competitive wages, and opportunities for advancement, though experiences can vary by location and position.

What is the hiring process for Sonoco?

The hiring process for a Sonoco job typically involves submitting an online application, followed by an interview which may be conducted in person or virtually. Candidates may also undergo skills assessments or background checks depending on the position. The process aims to evaluate qualifications, experience, and fit for the role before an offer is extended.

What are popular job titles related to Sonoco jobs in Virginia?

For Sonoco jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Sonoco jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Sonoco job openings:

Infographic showing various Sonoco job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,595 per year, or $36.3 per hour.

$102K - $114K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Act as project lead for automation and control projects.

  • Utilize loop sheets and electrical elementary diagrams for troubleshooting, create control project documentation, and support system commissioning and startup.

  • Work with teams to develop project scopes, schedules, and budgets, and provide technical support and training related to control and automation systems.


Sonoco rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 106 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

52nd of 122 rated packaging manufacturers


Job description

From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 - all while keeping the heart of "People Build Businesses" alive.

Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.

From a small family business to a multi-billion dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 - all while keeping the heart of "People Build Businesses" alive. Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.

The Controls Engineer will be responsible for maintaining, upgrading, and optimizing the control and automation systems at Sonoco's Paper Mill. The position will work closely with the maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to continuously improve the safety, reliability and productivity of mill systems and equipment. It has the responsibility to provide day to day technical support, develop strategic plans for system modernization, and lead or participate in project teams involving control system upgrades and installations.

What You'll be doing

  • Acting as project lead for automation and control projects.
  • Utilizing loop sheets, and electrical elementary diagrams for troubleshoot
  • Using AutoCad top create loop sheets, and electrical elementaries for small control projects
  • Tuning and evaluating control loop performance and auditing control system performance - X,Y plots of control loops to find failing control devices
  • Working with engineers, operations management, maintenance personnel, and contractors to develop and meet scope, budget, and schedule requirements on assigned projects.
  • Creating documentation packages for bidding, installation, start-up, and maintenance of control system projects. (scope of work, conduit layouts, cable schedules, connection drawings, bill of materials, preventative maintenance procedures, and required spares).
  • Providing commissioning and startup support for controls projects.
  • Developing and maintaining a project funnel for automation and control system upgrades.
  • Working with plant process engineers to optimize control system performance.
  • Providing direction to the maintenance team on controls related work orders.
  • Training the maintenance team on new and existing automation and control systems.
  • Troubleshooting alongside the maintenance team during system upsets.

We'd love to hear from you if:

  • You've graduated from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical, mechanical or chemical engineering.
  • You've graduated from a two-year college with an associate degree in electrical engineering and relevant field experience.
  • You have experience with PLC programming including ladder logic, function diagrams, and structured text. Specific experience with Rockwell / Allen Bradley and Siemens is a plus.
  • You have experience with AC and DC drives. Specific experience with Yaskawa, Siemens and Rockwell is a plus.
  • You have experience with control system network interfaces and communications protocols.
  • You have experience with HMI configuration and programming.
  • You have experience with distributed control systems (DCS) and continuous process controls including field instrumentation and valves. Specific experience with ABB and Foxboro is a plus.
  • You have experience with control system preventative maintenance including software backups.
  • Possess Autocad skills to allow the creation of power plans, single lines, control panel layouts, and electrical control diagrams.
  • You can demonstrate good oral and written communication skills.
  • You have a proven ability to work in a team environment requiring collaboration with all levels of the organization.
  • You have experience with Schneider DCS, Voith QCS, and Rockwell Contrologix/CompactLogix PLC's (This could be added to the fourth bullet point)

This is a progression position and can be level I- Senior, based on experience.

Engineer I: The annual base salary range for this role is from $70,080 - $78,840

Engineer II: The annual base salary range for this role is from $84,640 - $95,220

Engineer III: The annual base salary range for this role is from $102,080 - $114,840

Senior Engineer: The annual base salary range for this role is from $110,160 - $123,930

At Sonoco Products Company, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive pay and benefits. *Benefits listed below are for employees located in the U.S. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary depending on your location (within the U.S. or global), or if you are a union employee.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
  • Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
  • Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
  • Tuition reimbursement

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.


What Sonoco employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Sonoco logo

About Sonoco

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Sonoco is a $5 billion global provider of consumer packaging, industrial products and packaging supply chain services. When collaborating with our customers, we leverage our deep knowledge of material science, our i6 Innovation ProcessTM, and our industry-leading packaging and services portfolio to create impactful customized solutions that build stronger brands. We produce packaging for many of the world's most recognized brands, in markets such as appliances and electronics, automotive, beverages, confection, construction, converted paperboard, fresh and natural food, frozen and refrigerated food, shaving, home, lawn and garden, medical/pharmaceutical, pet care, powdered beverages, recycling and snacks. Sonoco's operations consist of our global consumer packaging businesses (rigid paper and closures, flexibles and plastics); our display and packaging division (high-impact retail displays and packaging supply chain management); our industrial businesses (tubes and cores, reels and spools, uncoated recycled paperboard and Sonoco Recycling, one of the world's largest recyclers); and our Protective Solutions division (custom-designed protective, temperature-assurance and retail security packaging solutions and highly engineered components). From our headquarters in Hartsville, S.C., and more than 300 operations in 33 countries, we serve customers in 85 nations.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Hartsville, SC, US