Early Career Engineer

Clearwater Paper; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Clearwater Paper is seeking an Early Career Engineer for a rotational development program at our Augusta, GA mill. This entry‑level role provides hands‑on experience across process areas, data analysis, and project work within a real manufacturing environment.

You will contribute to process improvements, assist with capital projects, and learn how our mills optimize quality, safety, and efficiency. A bachelor’s degree in engineering is required, with PI and production management familiarity

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required
• Industrial internship preferred
• Knowledge of PI (Process Information System) helpful
• Experience with Production Management systems is a plus
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in MS Word and Excel

Responsibilities

• Evaluates innovative technologies and implements process changes to reduce costs and improve quality
• Leads technical processes to solve equipment and process problems
• Provides data support for reports and performance updates
• Performs data analysis to reduce variability and improve performance
• Reviews production schedules and suggests changes to reduce downtime
• Assists in designing solutions to prevent equipment failures
• Writes procedures and trains operators
• Organizes shutdown schedules where applicable
• Supports process optimization efforts and capital projects

Skills

Data analysis

Process optimization

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Paper Science

Electrical Engineering

Tools

PI System

Production Management System

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Where you will work

This opportunity will be based onsite at one of our three fully integrated mills, which includes Augusta, GA, Cypress Bend, AR or Lewiston, ID.

The Augusta mill sits along the Savannah River, on the state border between Georgia and South Carolina and manufactures light, medium, and heavy weight coated paperboard.

The Cypress Bend facility is in the historic Mississippi River Delta and produces bleached paperboard and bleached Kraft pulp, used in the production of folding cartons, commercial print paperboard, carded packaging, and cup stock.

The Lewiston mill is the original Clearwater Paper manufacturing facility, producing paperboard products. Approximately two hours away from Clearwater Paper's headquarters in Spokane, Washington, the Lewiston paper mill is a key component in Clearwater Paper's business strategy.

Your Development

The Clearwater Paper Early Career Engineer role is a rotational development opportunity for recent college graduates to experience various aspects of the business through varied assignments. The rotations are designed to develop a strong foundation of technical skills, business acumen and gain valuable work experience within various areas of the paper mill. Each rotation provides an opportunity to explore your passions and refine your discipline within the field of engineering.

Technical Assistance

• Evaluates innovative technologies, implements process changes and develops systems to reduce operating costs, increase production and improve quality
• Leads the technical process for operating areas to solve equipment and process-related problems
• Provides support data for all reports and performance updates
• Data analysis to reduce variability or improve performance
• Reviews production schedules and suggests modifications for reduced downtime and/or changeovers where applicable
• Assists with designing solutions to eliminate equipment failures and process instabilities
• Writes procedures, trains operators, and monitors compliance with quality procedures
• Organizes shutdown schedules for operations where applicable

Process Improvement

• Develops working knowledge of all process areas in areas including process flow, operator responsibility, major quality attributes, and areas for improvement.
• Initiates conducts and documents results of process trials to improve productivity and/or quality
• Assists with proposals to justify capital expenditure, help manages technical aspects and assist with coordination of start-up of capital projects
• Recommends and implements process improvements or chemical changes to improve the overall operation where applicable
• Assists with data collection for justification of capital expenditures and coordination of start-ups
• Conducts crew training in new process equipment or chemical additives
• Monitors process variables and recommend changes in operation for improved performance
• Optimize process by identifying and eliminating root causes of process variations

Key Competences and Attributes

• Identifying and understanding problems and opportunities by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative information; choosing the best course of action by establishing clear decision criteria, generating, and evaluating alternatives, and making timely decisions
• Taking action that is consistent with available facts and constraints and optimizes probable consequences
• Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment (e.g., people, processes, structure, or culture); adjusting effectively to change by exploring the benefits, trying innovative approaches, and collaborating with others to make the change successful
• Originating action to improve existing conditions and processes; identifying improvement opportunities, generating ideas, and implementing solutions

What you will need

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required, Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Paper Science or Electrical Engineering preferred
• Internship in the manufacturing industry or paper experience preferred
• Basic knowledge of PI (Process Information System)
• Previous experience using a Production Management system preferred
• Good verbal and written communication skills required
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel and an intermediate level
• Industrial Environment - subject to extreme heat and cold
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn in the mill environment
• Noisy, dusty, and working around moving equipment

Total Rewards Details

We prioritize an exceptional workplace experience, offering a comprehensive total reward package. Compensation ranges are estimates based on market data. Actual offers account for internal equity and the candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and more, generally begin after 30 days. Our paid time off includes vacation days, personal days, and company holidays. For more on our compensation philosophy, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at [e-mail].

Clearwater Paper will not offer sponsorship for employment-based visa status (including, but not limited to, H-1B visa status and other employment-based nonimmigrant visas) for this position. Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and must not require Clearwater Paper's sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

This role will be open for a minimum of 2 weeks or at the point a successful candidate is selected.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.