E&I Reliability Engineer

Smurfit-Westrock; Longview (WA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K

Paid time off

HSA

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking an experienced Electrical & Instrumentation Reliability Engineer to strategically plan, organize, and execute programs that enhance and maintain E/I equipment reliability within our pulp and paper manufacturing environment.

You will lead system upgrades, coordinate field activities, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive PdM strategies while guiding maintenance teams to optimize mill operations and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or equivalent with 10–15 years of industrial E/I experience.
• Proven leadership and strong safety, regulatory, and quality focus.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple projects with budgets and deadlines.
• PdM strategy design and mill criticality ranking expertise.
• Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) and control system analysis experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication across cross-functional teams.
• Able to work independently with strong computer skills including familiarity with industry software.

Responsibilities

• Lead system upgrades, migrations, modernization initiatives, and industrial automation projects while supporting engineering and troubleshooting of industrial electrical systems.
• Review and interpret power studies including Arc Flash, relay coordination, load flow, and short circuit analyses.
• Coordinate field installation, testing, energization, and commissioning activities with all stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with company standards and all applicable electrical codes, including NEC, NFPA, OSHA, and related regulations.
• Oversee Reliability Programs: Take charge of E&I reliability programs from initial conception to successful implementation, utilizing experience with Honeywell, Emerson, ABB, and Rockwell equipment.
• Provide Technical Direction: Deliver expert guidance and innovative solutions to maintenance and operating teams to ensure seamless mill operations.
• Drive Maintenance Strategies: Manage equipment tracking and Predictive Maintenance (PdM) strategy/program design.
• Optimize System Performance: Leverage predictive and preventive maintenance techniques to proactively identify bad actors and implement system improvements before they impact production.
• Champion Safety and Environmental Standards: Advance the mill's safety and environmental objectives with a specific focus on enhancing system reliability.
• Support Capital Projects: Serve as a capital project liaison to provide design reviews, technical support, and commissioning expertise.
• Develop Team Resources: Create training and troubleshooting documentation for the E&I group to support cross-functional cooperation.

Skills

Leadership

Safety culture

Project management

PdM expertise

RCFA / Root Cause Analysis

Electrical systems

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

10-15 years industrial E/I maintenance & project management

Tools

JDE

SAP

Experion

Emerson AMS

RS Logix

Studio 5000

Job description

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

The opportunity:

The Staff E&I Reliability Engineer is responsible for strategically planning, organizing, and executing programs designed to enhance and maintain the reliability of electrical and instrumentation equipment. This role provides vital support during daily operations and annual maintenance shutdowns while acting as the mill's Instrumentation Subject Matter Expert (SME).

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

This list identifies the essential functions. As with all jobs, all duties and responsibilities are not listed, and will vary based upon the department, team, and business needs.

Electrical and Instrument (E/I) Reliability Engineer Responsibilities

• Lead system upgrades, migrations, modernization initiatives, and industrial automation projects while supporting engineering and troubleshooting of industrial electrical systems.
• Review and interpret power studies including Arc Flash, relay coordination, load flow, and short circuit analyses.
• Coordinate field installation, testing, energization, and commissioning activities with all stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with company standards and all applicable electrical codes, including NEC, NFPA, OSHA, and related regulations.
• Oversee Reliability Programs: Take charge of E&I reliability programs from initial conception to successful implementation, utilizing experience with Honeywell, Emerson, ABB, and Rockwell equipment.
• Provide Technical Direction: Deliver expert guidance and innovative solutions to maintenance and operating teams to ensure seamless mill operations.
• Drive Maintenance Strategies: Manage equipment tracking and Predictive Maintenance (PdM) strategy/program design.
• Optimize System Performance: Leverage predictive and preventive maintenance techniques to proactively identify bad actors and implement system improvements before they impact production.
• Champion Safety and Environmental Standards: Advance the mill's safety and environmental objectives with a specific focus on enhancing system reliability.
• Support Capital Projects: Serve as a capital project liaison to provide design reviews, technical support, and commissioning expertise.
• Develop Team Resources: Create training and troubleshooting documentation for the E&I group to support cross-functional cooperation.

What you need:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering preferred or a combination of education and experience with 10–15 years of industrial E/I maintenance and project management experience, preferably in the pulp and paper industry.
• Strong leadership, high ethical standards, and an uncompromising commitment to worker safety, regulatory compliance, and quality.
• Proven ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple projects, including accurate budgeting, forecasting, and meeting deadlines with urgency and attention to detail.
• PdM & Criticality Expert: Proven ability to design, implement, and manage PdM strategies and mill criticality rankings.
• Analytical Skills: Hands-on expertise in Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) and identifying/rectifying "bad actors" in control system loops.
• Strong analytical, oral, and written communication skills, with the ability to draw fact‑based conclusions and present information clearly while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision, supported by proficient computer skills
• Proficient in industry software such as JDE, SAP, Experion, Emerson AMS, RS Logix and Studio 5000 etc. to support design, analysis, and troubleshooting activities.

Compensation Offered:

• Salary Range: $ 115,875.00 - $193,125.00
• Bonus/Commission Eligible: Yearly Short-Term Incentive Program (STIP) bonus based off metrics.

Benefits Offered

Smurfit Westrock offers a variety of benefits and group health insurance options, the premium costs of which are currently shared by employees and Smurfit Westrock (e.g., health, dental, vision, disability, flexible spending account, HSA, life insurance, paid time off, employee assistance program, matching 401K).

What we offer:

• Corporate culture is based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

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 $115,875.00 - $193,125.00, 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, 15 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.