Instrument Tech

Smurfit Westrock; West Point (VA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Drug screening

Career advancement path

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock’s West Point Mill is seeking Instrumentation Techs to join our papermill team in West Point, VA. You will maintain and troubleshoot electrical and instrumentation systems across the mill, including PLCs, DCS, valves, and calibration tasks.

We value safety, reliability, and teamwork. This role requires rotating shifts and a commitment to continuous improvement, with a competitive hourly wage and full benefits.

Qualifications

• High School or GED with Virginia Career Readiness Certificate.
• 2 Year technical Degree or associate’s degree.
• 5+ years industrial electrical experience.
• Licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician.
• Appropriate Military Technical Training.
• Certificate of Apprenticeship.

Responsibilities

• Industrial instrumentation maintenance including preventative tasks and troubleshooting.
• Read electrical schematics, loop sheets, P&IDs, and equipment manuals.
• Understand and troubleshoot ladder logic and function block diagrams.
• Use calibration equipment, digital multimeters, megohmmeters, and HART communicators.
• Follow electrical safety precautions (LOTO, NFPA-70E).
• Troubleshoot and repair process control equipment throughout the mill.
• Use data historian software for trending and tuning loops.
• Work rotating southern swing shifts.
• Participate in Incident Response Team and fire brigade.

Skills

Allen Bradley PLCs

Honeywell DCS

Valmet DCS

Control valves calibration

Instrumentation troubleshooting

Electrical safety

Ladder logic

HART communicators

Reading schematics

Education

Licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician

High School or GED with Virginia Career Readiness Certificate

2 Year technical degree

Certificate of Apprenticeship

Tools

Calibration equipment

Digital multimeters

Megohmmeters

HART communicators

Job description

Description & Requirements

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.

Description & Requirements

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.

Smurfit Westrock’s West Point Mill is looking to find committed, hardworking individuals to fill current openings as Instrumentation Techs at our Papermill located at 1901 Main Street West Point, VA. 23181. We offer a competitive wage ranging from $33.79 to $45.86 and a full benefits package.

We are looking for candidates with experience and a thorough knowledge of a diverse range of Electrical and Instrumentation control equipment, both in troubleshooting and repair. Some of the equipment is as follows.

• Programmable logic controllers.
• Various industrial communication protocols.
• Various process variable transmitters
• Various types of valves
• Distributed control system hardware
• Process instrumentation such as instrumentation associated with Temperature, Flow, Level, DP, Pressure

The responsibilities of the Instrumentation Journeyman will include but not limited to the following:

• Industrial Instrumentation plant maintenance to include preventative maintenance tasks and troubleshooting plant equipment.
• The ability to read and understand electrical schematics, loop sheets, process and instrumentation diagrams, and equipment manuals.
• The ability to understand and troubleshoot various forms of control logic, such as ladder logic, and function block diagrams.
• The ability to use and understand various types of test equipment such as calibration equipment, digital multi-meters, megohmmeters, and HART communicators.
• Must possess a working knowledge of electrical safety precautions and procedures, for example, LOTO, NFPA-70E.
• Responsible for troubleshooting and repair of process control equipment throughout the mill.
• Use of data historian software for trending and or tuning loops for efficiency.
• The Ability to work rotating shifts (southern swing)
• Perform duties as part of the Incident Response Team and participate as a fire brigade member.

What You Need To Succeed

• Experience with Allen Bradley PLCs, Honeywell and Valmet DCS, experience setting up and calibrating control valves, experience setting up, calibrating, installing , and troubleshooting control instrumentation.
• Pass written testing requirements.
• Available to work overtime as required.
• Must possess a strong desire and willingness to learn the equipment.
• Decision making and troubleshooting abilities
• Good communication and computer skills.
• Must be highly motivated, conscientious, and a good team player with a positive attitude.
• Must be able to work safely.

Minimum Qualifications To Be Considered For This Job

• High School or GED plus Virginia Career Readiness Certificate, and at least one of the below credentials
• 2 Year technical Degree or associate’s degree
• 5+ years industrial electrical experience
• Licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician
• Appropriate Military Technical Training
• Certificate of Apprenticeship

Compensation & Career Growth

We offer a clear, structured path for career advancement with competitive pay:

• Class 1 Helper: $33.79/hour. Promotion to Class C possible within 9-13 months based on performance.
• Class C: $35.89/hour. Eligible for Class B after 6 months.
• Class B: $37.42/hour. Promotion to Class A after 12 months.
• Class A: $42.62/hour. Final step to Class AAA ($45.86/hour) based on tenure and qualifications.

Total Progression Time: 2.25-2.5 years (27-31 months) from Class 1 Helper to Class A.

Grow your career and earnings with us!

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.