Lead Scientist, R&D

February 23, 2026

General Information Job ID ATR57538 Posting Job Title Lead Scientist, R&D Locations IL WFH Illinois Employment Type Full Time Date Posted 02-Feb-2026 Relocation Support No Description & Requirements Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability and excellence, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward. The Lead Innovation Research Scientist will play a critical role in advancing new product development and application development initiatives within Smurfit WestRock's Corrugated Packaging innovation team. This role is focused on solving technical challenges through hands-on experimentation, material development, and performance validation. The ideal candidate will bring a strong engineering background, with specific experience in coatings, substrates, and corrugated packaging performance. They will focus on transitioning ideas into feasible and viable packaging solutions, balancing customer needs, performance, cost, and sustainability. How you will impact Smurfit Westrock: <ul><li>Drive the development and optimization of new corrugated packaging solutions, from concept through validation</li><li>Conduct lab-scale and pilot testing of coatings, substrates, and packaging structures to meet customer requirements</li><li>Lead the evaluation of performance characteristics (moisture resistance, strength, printability, etc.) under varied environmental and manufacturing conditions</li><li>Collaborate cross-functionally with design, operations, and commercialization teams to ensure product scalability and manufacturability</li><li>Contribute to the creation of technical documentation, specifications, and design of experiments (DoE)</li><li>Analyze test results, identify trends, and make technical recommendations to guide development decisions</li><li>Monitor emerging technologies, materials, and suppliers to inform R&D pipeline and coatings strategies</li><li>Facilitate customer trials, technical troubleshooting, and plant engagement during product scale-up and implementation</li></ul> What you need to succeed: <ul><li>Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Packaging Science, or a related engineering discipline</li><li>7+ years of experience in packaging R&D, preferably with a focus on coatings and corrugated material</li><li>Hands-on experience with lab testing protocols and physical property evaluation of paper and board</li><li>Knowledge of paper chemistry, barrier technologies, surface treatments, and packaging converting processes</li><li>Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a passion for hands-on experimentation</li><li>Effective communication and collaboration skills across technical and commercial functions</li><li>Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and timelines in a fast-paced environment</li><li>Travel percentage: approximately 50%</li></ul> What We Offer <ul><li>A corporate culture built on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence</li><li>A competitive salary and bonus structure that reflects skills, competencies and potential</li><li>Comprehensive training and development opportunities</li><li>Career growth within a global packaging leader where safety, quality, sustainability and people are fundamental to daily operations</li></ul> Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. The salary range for this position is $124,125.00 - $206,875.00, depending on your role, level, and location. The range listed is also the expected pay for roles in Illinois and Colorado. The benefits for this role include short-term bonus incentive, health, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and paid sick leave as required by applicable state/local law, 10 days of paid vacation, and 11 days of paid holidays, subject to annual change. Your pay will be based on factors such as your skills, experience, and education. To learn more about this posting, please contact your recruiter during the hiring process. You may apply online at Smurfit Westrock External Careers and the application window is expected to close by 31-Mar-2026.

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...

DISCLAIMER