Electrical Project Engineer

Smurfit-Westrock; Dublin (GA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking an Electrical Project Engineer to plan, coordinate, and execute capital, maintenance, and reliability improvement projects at the Dublin mill. You will report to the Engineering Manager and guide project scope, design, budgeting, procurement, construction, commissioning and closeout.

The role requires strong PM skills, industrial electrical system expertise, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams in a complex manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering is required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in heavy industrial/manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing capital projects from concept through startup and closeout.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, design, execution and commissioning of capital and expense projects for mill operations.
• Manage multiple projects while ensuring safety, environmental, quality and budget adherence.
• Develop scopes, schedules, cost estimates and resource plans for project success.
• Provide technical leadership to project teams, contractors and suppliers.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

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 Electrical Project Engineer is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing capital, maintenance, and reliability improvement projects that support the Dublin Mill's operational objectives. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, this role manages all phases of project development and execution, including scope definition, engineering design, budgeting, procurement, construction oversight, commissioning, and project closeout.

The Electrical Project Engineer serves as a technical resource for Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams, providing innovative solutions that enhance safety, reliability, productivity, quality, and cost performance. This position requires strong project management skills, technical expertise in industrial electrical systems, and the ability to successfully lead projects within a complex manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate will be capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously while collaborating with internal stakeholders, contractors, and equipment suppliers to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT SMURFIT WESTROCK:

• Lead the planning, design, execution, and commissioning of capital and expense projects to support mill operations and strategic business objectives.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and budgetary requirements.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, cost estimates, and resource plans to ensure successful project execution.
• Provide technical leadership and direction to project teams, contractors, and suppliers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Identify, evaluate, specify, and procure electrical equipment, instrumentation, controls, software, and system components required for project implementation.
• Coordinate engineering activities with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Environmental, and Safety teams to achieve project objectives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable electrical codes, standards, company policies, and safe work practices.
• Oversee contractor activities, construction execution, and startup activities to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and according to design specifications.
• Conduct field investigations, equipment assessments, and root cause analyses to support reliability and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Verify completed installations and system performance through inspections, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Support outage planning and execution activities as required.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, process performance, energy efficiency, and maintainability of mill assets.
• Maintain project documentation, engineering drawings, technical specifications, and project records in accordance with company standards.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a heavy industrial, manufacturing, or process industry environment.
• Proven experience managing capital projects from concept through startup and closeout.
• Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems and power distribution.
• Demonstrated ability to manage project budgets, schedules, contractors, and technical resources.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with AutoCAD or similar drafting and design software.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating across functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Pulp and Paper industry experience.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience with reliability-centered maintenance and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience supporting major outage planning and execution.

Technical Experience in Four (or more) of the Following Areas

• Electrical power distribution systems
• Process instrumentation systems
• Process control system design
• Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
• Coordinated drive systems
• Variable frequency drives (VFDs)
• AC and DC drive systems
• Low-voltage and medium-voltage motor control centers (MCCs)
• Industrial networking and communications systems
• Electrical system troubleshooting and root cause analysis

COMPETENCIES:

• Safety Leadership
• Project Execution
• Strategic and Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Influence and Collaboration
• Customer Focus
• Initiative and Accountability
• Communication and Presentation Skills
• Quality Orientation
• Integrity and Ethics
• Planning and Organization
• Results Driven

Keywords: electrical project engineer, electrical reliability engineer, E&I reliability engineer, E&I Engineer, E&I reliability engineer, E&I project engineer, improvement engineer, capital project, capital projects, maintenance projects, capital upgrades, capital improvements, lead electrical engineer, project engineer, project engineering, capital project engineer, process controls, process control, PLC. DCS, VFD, power distribution, electrical, electrical engineering, paper, senior electrical engineer, senior electrical project engineer, linerboard, paperboard, liner, freesheet, coated, brown stock, containerboard, boxboard, cartonboard, medium, corrugated medium, pulp, pulp mill, kraft, kraftboard, kraft board, sbb, sbs

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.

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.