Lead Mechanical Engineer

Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Marinette (WI); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Kimberly-Clark Corporation is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to drive design, development, optimization, and reliability of high‑speed manufacturing assets. You will lead initiatives, solve complex issues, and collaborate with maintenance to improve asset performance across a 24/7 operation.

The role emphasizes continuous improvement, obsolescence reduction, and safety, with hybrid work options and strong alignment to the company's 5‑year vision.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering and 3+ years in high-speed consumer product manufacturing or related setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work in cross-functional teams to achieve objectives within required timeframes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver equipment and processes that meet safety requirements, policies, and guidelines.
• Manage multiple medium‑to‑large initiatives to improve asset performance or plant systems; lead major breakthroughs.
• Identify cost savings opportunities and manage expense spending to asset budget.
• Develop leadership in applying engineering principles, lean and project management.
• Lead safety teams and collaborate with maintenance on reliability projects.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Problem solving

Lean principles

Project management

Education

Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Engineering procedures

High-speed manufacturing equipment

Job description

Lead Mechanical Engineer Job Description

Join the team behind iconic brands like Huggies®, Kleenex®, Cottonelle®, Scott®, Kotex®, Poise®, Depend®, and Kimberly-Clark Professional® At Kimberly-Clark, it’s all here for you—innovation, growth, and the chance to make a real impact. You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground‑breaking brands. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU. You were made to create Better Care for a Better World: as Preventing and fixing problems on technologically advanced, high-speed machines that produce top‑notch products for ¼ of the world’s population is no easy feat, but it’s worth it when you’re recognized often by your manager, supported by your team, and see the products you produce being used by your own family at the end of the day.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Lead Mechanical Engineer role will provide leadership and creativity in the design, development, optimization, problem solving, and operation of assigned assets & supporting processes in a manner that meets safety and operational performance expectations. This position will focus on driving continuous improvement, reducing obsolescence, and improving reliability for the assets they support. Scope: Incumbent reports to Product System Manager. This position will have engineering, maintenance, and reliability responsibilities for the assets they are assigned, and support other site mechanical work as needed.

Key Customers: Internal to Plant: Plant and Sector Management, Operations, Site Engineering Teams, and Plant Reliability Internal: Sector: NA Supply Chain Management, Value Stream, and Enterprise Capital Teams External: Local contractor groups, OEM’s

In this role, you will:

• Develop and deliver equipment and processes that meet safety requirements, policies, and guidelines. Provides for the safety and well‑being of operators, maintenance, and other personnel.
• Manage multiple medium‑to‑large initiatives to deliver improvements to asset performance or plant systems; lead major initiatives for breakthrough improvements, solving higher level problems for the plant
• Identify cost savings opportunities and manage expense spending to asset budget
• Develop knowledge and skills in leadership of the application of engineering principles, scientific analysis, LEAN principles, and project management.
• Seeks, recognizes, defines, and solves complex technical issues to root cause to achieve objectives.
• Participates in the development of others within the area of the incumbent's expertise, including the creation of knowledge transfer documentation materials.
• Support maintenance personnel when troubleshooting complex issues.
• Identify and document issues and opportunities with existing equipment.
• Lead a safety work team
• Partner with maintenance on reliability projects
• Assist in developing and managing strategic obsolescence replacement plan
• Assist team with trial planning and trial preparation
• Support assets using engineering knowledge, including being on‑call and potential shift coverage
• Provide input to plant expense and capital plans.
• Provide input to capital teams so proposed changes are in‑line with the 5‑year vision.
• Involved with early design, technology, equipment selection, sizing, location, etc.
• Oversight and support during installation and commissioning.
• Liaison with utilities/facilities teams so impact of operational changes is understood, and solutions are in place when needed.

About You

You perform at the highest level possible, and you appreciate a performance culture fueled by authentic caring. You want to be part of a company actively dedicated to sustainability, inclusion, wellbeing, and career development. You love what you do, especially when the work you do makes a difference. At Kimberly-Clark, we’re constantly exploring new ideas on how, when, and where we can best achieve results. When you join our team, you’ll experience Flex That Works: flexible (hybrid) work arrangements that empower you to have purposeful time in the office and partner with your leader to make flexibility work for both you and the business.

To Succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline 3 plus years industrial experience in a variety of technical or operational assignments in a high-speed consumer product manufacturing and/or staff environment.
• A demonstrated ability to perform in cross-functional teams to achieve objectives within required timeframes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge with tissue making production equipment, materials, and processes is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability of writing and presenting updates to leadership.
• Multiple years of experience in a variety of plant manufacturing and staff support or capital project assignments, including maintenance, utilities, and asset support.
• Experience working with external technical service providers.
• Familiarity with high-speed manufacturing equipment machine startups.
• Experience and expertise with Kimberly-Clark engineering procedures and processes is beneficial.

Working Conditions

• Normal scheduled hours will vary based on the need to support a 24/7 Operation
• Flexibility to travel up to 15% for benchmarking and best practice sharing across KCNA
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment
• Potential of shift coverage to support assets, projects or initiatives

Total Benefits

We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we're committed to providing them with the resources they need to be successful. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a company that cares about its employees, then Kimberly-Clark is the place for you. Here are just a few of the benefits you’d enjoy working in this role for Kimberly-Clark. For a complete overview, see www.mykcbenefits.com

And finally, the fine print…. For Kimberly-Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world, which is why we seek to build a workforce that encompasses the experiences of our consumers. When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly-Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position. Employment is subject to verification of pre‑screening tests which may include drug screening, background check, and DMV check. Veterans and members of the Reserve and Guard are highly encouraged to apply.

Salary Range

#LI-Onsite Salary Range: 87,260 – 107,780 USD At Kimberly-Clark, pay is just one aspect of our total rewards package, which also includes a variety of benefits and opportunities to achieve, thrive and grow. Along with base pay, this position offers eligibility for a target bonus and a comprehensive benefits suite, including our 401(k) and Profit Sharing plan. The anticipated base pay range for this role is provided above for a fully qualified hire. Actual pay will depend on several factors, such as location, role, skills, performance, and experience. Please note that the stated pay range applies to US locations only.

Primary Location: Marinette, WI, USA

Additional Locations

Worker Type Employee

Worker Sub-Type Regular Time Type Full time

Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people's most essential needs, we’re working to find new ways to make a positive impact on the world we share. Kimberly-Clark and its trusted brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Neve, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries by helping individuals experience more of what's important to them.

We use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come.

To learn more about the company's 150-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com.