Packaging Systems and Design Major
Explore the Packaging Systems and Design Degree
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Packaging Systems and Design (PSD)
Join a field with high employment rates and competitive starting salaries!
Are you ready to launch a world-changing career with excellent earning potential?
The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials offers one of the few Packaging Systems and Design degrees in the United States. Our Packaging Systems and Design major offers a unique path to success with a strong track record of high employment rates and competitive starting salaries. Packaging is a vital part of every industry — whether it’s food, pharmaceuticals, technology, or consumer goods. By earning a degree in Packaging Systems and Design, you’ll be equipped with the skills that make you an indispensable employee, in demand across the global marketplace.
Every item that is manufactured needs to be moved, and packaging systems provide solutions worldwide for the transport of items. Packaging is a field of boundless impact and steady market growth. Plus, with our program's focus on sustainable packaging, you’ll also play a direct role in helping companies reduce waste and environmental impact. A degree in packaging doesn’t just open doors — it gives you the tools to make a difference.
Packaging is an industry where you can change the world. With endless career opportunities and the flexibility to work in a variety of sectors, packaging experts are always needed, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
Challenge yourself
Why choose Packaging Systems and Design?
The world of packaging is diverse and multifaceted. Packaging comes in many types and uses many materials. Some packaging companies make these materials, some convert materials into packaging, some fill packaging with products, and some provide consulting or logistics services. Students in the Packaging Systems and Design degree acquire the multi- and inter-disciplinary knowledge needed to be successful in these exciting careers. There are even more reasons to choose PSD as your major:
- 🎓 Top-Ranked Program: VT offers one of the leading packaging programs in the U.S., known for strong academics and industry relevance.
- 🏫 Interdisciplinary Curriculum: Combines engineering, materials science, design, and sustainability—giving you a holistic view of packaging.
- 💼 Strong Industry Connections: Partnerships with major companies provide internships, co-ops, and job opportunities.
- 🧪 Hands-On Learning: Access to state-of-the-art labs and packaging testing equipment for real-world application of classroom knowledge.
- 🌍 Sustainability Focus: Emphasis on sustainable packaging solutions and circular economy principles to meet global environmental goals.
- 📈 High Job Placement Rate: Graduates are in demand across industries like food, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and consumer goods.
- 👥 Small Program, Big Impact: Smaller class sizes foster close relationships with professors and peers, plus personalized academic support.
- 🏞️ Great Campus and Community: VT's beautiful campus in Blacksburg offers a vibrant college town atmosphere with strong school spirit.
Career opportunities
Graduates of the Packaging Systems and Design major enter high-growth fields, such as:
Packaging Engineer
Develops and tests packaging solutions to ensure product protection, compliance, and cost-effectiveness. Collaborates with manufacturing, logistics, and suppliers to optimize materials, design, and performance across the supply chain for efficiency and sustainability.
Packaging Designer
Creates visually appealing and functional packaging that aligns with branding and consumer needs. Uses graphic and structural design to balance aesthetics, usability, and protection while meeting marketing, regulatory, and production requirements.
Packaging Researcher (R&D)
Conducts research to develop innovative packaging materials, technologies, and systems. Focuses on performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to test, analyze, and implement solutions that meet evolving industry and consumer demands.
Other job titles may include:
Packaging Manager
Production Supervisor
Supply chain engineer
Sales Manager
Structural Designer
Industrial Engineer
Companies that have hired PSD graduates:
What you'll learn
Packaging Systems and Design goes beyond theory — students develop critical skills
The Packaging Systems and Design major blends creativity, science, and engineering — and prepares you for careers in industries ranging from tech and healthcare to food and logistics. We equip students with the skills to find real-world solutions and explore exciting topics.
- Practice designing and creating packaging using cutting-edge tools like CAD and 3D modeling.
- Gain experience testing packaging performance in labs that simulate real-world conditions (drop, vibration, compression, etc.).
- Learn how to choose the right materials for packaging - whether it’s paper, plastic, glass, metal, or sustainable alternatives.
- Develop sustainable packaging solutions that reduce waste and improve environmental impact.
Our Program
Dr. Laszlo Horvath teaching class.
Learning
Small Class Sizes = Personal Connection
Our small class sizes provide an opportunity to our students to build more personal connections with our faculty. In addition, our unique mentoring program assigns a faculty member to every packaging student to provide industry connections and career guidance throughout their time at Virginia Tech.
Student talking to employer
Career Ready
Industrial Connections
Our close collaboration with industry allows our students to find internships, Co-ops, and employment after graduation. Our extensive network includes major packaging companies such as PCA, International Paper, Smurfit Kappa, Newell, and CHEP as well as packaging users such as Amazon, L'Oreal, Coca-Cola, and Tesla among many others.
Students getting hands on experience
Experiential Learning
Hands-On Experience
The best way to translate the knowledge obtained in class to real life is to use it to solve real-life packaging problems. All of our packaging students have a chance to be involved in hands-on packaging projects even during their freshman year, including working in our packaging research center, undergraduate research in one of our labs, internal summer internships, and industry sponsored senior design projects.