R&D Laboratory Research Engineer

About Us

We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre‑based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain and much more.

Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world‑leading organisation and do your best work with us!

The R&D Laboratory Research Engineer will be based in our R8 R&D and Innovation Centre in Redditch, providing material testing for strategic innovation projects and product life cycles. You will design, execute and analyse experiments (and data) in line with agreed deliverables. You will perform analysis and troubleshooting, understand issues quickly and implement resolutions to enable developments in a timely manner. This role suits someone who can work independently with low guidance but also follow detailed test protocols.

It involves routine testing and analysis, as well as developing test methods for the R&D team.

• Take a proactive approach to Health, Safety & Well‑Being by reporting defects or unsafe acts and engaging in risk assessment activities to enable safe working.
• Demonstrate competence in fundamental laboratory skills required to support development and research, including laboratory practices & techniques, core instrumentation and guided use of advanced methodologies.
• With moderate guidance, perform laboratory testing, analyse and interpret data to reach sound technical conclusions, and plan additional studies to solve encountered problems and deliver key data to R&D managers and stakeholders.
• Perform troubleshooting activities, such as root cause analysis, to understand deviations and implement corrective actions.
• Enable active, positive collaboration within cross‑functional project groups and document their scientific work, including reports, presentations, batch records and quality documents.
• Maintain the testing laboratory and equipment to required standards and include them in a routine inspection and calibration programme across multiple sites (including some European travel).
• Maintain high levels of professionalism and confidentiality regarding the commercial/technical sensitivity of the work. From time to time, signing an NDA or MTA may be required.
• Ensure test reports are filed and communicated to a high standard of written English and highlight relevant information within the report.

• Educated to at least a foundation degree in a Science, preferably Engineering, Physics or Chemistry (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Must be able to speak and write English to a professional standard.
• Understanding of troubleshooting methods including root cause analysis and some statistical methods.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting experiments, data analysis, drawing conclusions and new product development / research and development.
• Significant experience in working with common test methods within a pulp and paper/board lab and generating reports is preferred.
• Competence in the suite of Microsoft Office applications is required.
• Experience in laboratory information management system (LIMS) and contribution to quality management systems, including writing SOPs, method work instructions and risk assessments.

Redditch (onsite), with occasional travel across the UK and Europe.

To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.