Process Development Engineer

Location: Europe (regular travel across our Paper Mills, ~40%)

About the role

Make a Real-World Impact

At DS Smith, we’re redefining what’s possible in paper and packaging by designing for circularity, accelerating innovation, and partnering with customers to eliminate waste and reduce carbon across value chains. As a Process Development Engineer, you’ll help us push boundaries in process chemistry, enabling smarter, cleaner, and more efficient papermaking across our mill network.

Key Responsibilities:

• Optimise process chemistry at scale — lead audits, process mapping, data analysis, and trials (lab and mill) to enhance charge balance, drainage/retention, zeta potential control, and water system performance.
• Model to improve — build or adapt process models, interpret results, and translate insights into on‑site changes and measured benefits.
• Run the Process Chemistry Working Group — schedule and facilitate sessions, document actions, track benefits, and share best practices across mills.
• Partner with suppliers — benchmark chemistries, evaluate samples, define test methods, and co‑develop world‑class applications with Procurement and R&D colleagues.
• Enable capability — deliver training and hands‑on coaching for mill teams on process understanding, modeling, and best available practices.
• Drive change — help shape the strategy for process chemistry within Group R&D alongside the Materials Performance Lead.

About You

• Education: Degree in Chemistry, Papermaking, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience:
• Previous experience in technical applications within the paper industry or a paper chemicals supplier.
• Experience in a paper mill production environment.
• Technical depth: Hands‑on know‑how in charge balance, drainage & retention, zeta potential, fibre/water measurements, and lab‑to‑mill method transfer.
• Ways of working: Data‑driven problem solving, structured experimentation, clear communication, strong stakeholder management, and a practical “get it done” mindset.

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.

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.