Mechanical Project Engineer

WestRock Company; Roanoke Rapids (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

WestRock Company in Roanoke Rapids, NC seeks a Project Engineer to lead capital projects and support reliability improvements across Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, and contractors. You will manage projects from concept to completion in a fast-paced paper-mill setting.

The role requires a strong background in engineering capital projects, team coordination, and a commitment to safety, quality, and cost control. Development opportunities are provided within the Engineering department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, or related Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Five or more years of related experience with emphasis on engineering capital projects; candidates with a minimum of two years with strong technical aptitude will be considered.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing work environments and priorities.
• Ability to work in a paper mill environment, including light to moderate lifting, walking, climbing, and exposure to hot, humid, and dusty conditions.
• Turbine Maintenance Experience
• Pump Sizing
• Piping System Design
• Paper Machine Maintenance Experience
• Boiler Maintenance Experience
• Pressure Piping and Code Experience
• Tank & Vessel Inspection
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
• Produce Schedules using MS Projects
• Produce drawing using AutoCAD

Responsibilities

• Prioritize safety in every activity and project by orienting personnel, auditing work, and partnering with Operations, Maintenance, and Safety teams.
• Manage capital and maintenance projects from planning and design through budgeting, scheduling, execution, and implementation.
• Manage ongoing facility infrastructure maintenance programs.
• Support mill goals by serving on teams, providing technical expertise, and responding to field questions.
• Build trust and use diplomacy to influence employees, contractors, vendors, and cross-functional partners.
• Define problems, analyze data, establish facts, and develop practical solutions with Operations and Maintenance teams.
• Analyze technical information and prepare reports, business correspondence, project documentation, and related communications.
• Coordinate and oversee outside contractors on capital and maintenance projects of varying size and complexity.
• Deliver projects safely, on schedule, within budget, and with quality results.
• Develop drawings, specifications, execution plans, scopes of work, estimates, schedules, and instructions to communicate project requirements clearly.

Skills

Project management

Problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Planning & scheduling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial Engineering

Tools

MS Projects

AutoCAD

Job description

Our Roanoke Rapids, NC paper mill has an exciting career opportunity for a dynamic Project Engineer who can lead capital projects, support reliability improvements, and partner across Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, contractors, and vendors to deliver safe, high-quality results.

JOB SUMMARY

As a Project Engineer at the Roanoke Rapids Mill, you will manage capital and maintenance-related projects from concept through completion. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving complex problems, coordinating cross-functional teams, managing contractors, and seeing projects come to life in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Engineering, the Project Engineer will manage and complete multiple projects across engineering disciplines. This role supports the implementation of capital projects within the mill, as well as reliability and continuous improvement efforts. The position requires strong project management and technical skills, along with the ability to coordinate work with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, consulting engineers, outside contractors, and vendors. The ideal candidate will be able to manage several projects at once while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, cost, and schedule. Candidates with at least two years of experience in paper manufacturing or a similar industry will be considered, and Smurfit Westrock will provide development opportunities to help prepare the selected candidate for roles of greater responsibility within the Engineering department.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Prioritize safety in every activity and project by orienting personnel, auditing work, and partnering with Operations, Maintenance, and Safety teams.
• Manage capital and maintenance projects from planning and design through budgeting, scheduling, execution, and implementation.
• Manage ongoing facility infrastructure maintenance programs.
• Support mill goals by serving on teams, providing technical expertise, and responding to field questions.
• Build trust and use diplomacy to influence employees, contractors, vendors, and cross-functional partners.
• Define problems, analyze data, establish facts, and develop practical solutions with Operations and Maintenance teams.
• Analyze technical information and prepare reports, business correspondence, project documentation, and related communications.
• Coordinate and oversee outside contractors on capital and maintenance projects of varying size and complexity.
• Deliver projects safely, on schedule, within budget, and with quality results.
• Develop drawings, specifications, execution plans, scopes of work, estimates, schedules, and instructions to communicate project requirements clearly.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, or another related Engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• Preferred candidates will have five or more years of related experience with an emphasis on engineering capital projects; candidates with a minimum of two years of professional experience, strong technical aptitude, and demonstrated ability to develop will also be considered.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing work environments and operational priorities.
• Ability to work in a paper mill environment, including light to moderate lifting, walking, climbing, oral communication, correctable vision, and exposure to hot, humid, and dusty conditions.

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE PREFERRED

• Turbine Maintenance Experience
• Pump Sizing
• Piping System Design
• Paper Machine Maintenance Experience
• Boiler Maintenance Experience
• Pressure Piping and Code Experience
• Tank & Vessel Inspection
• Ability with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
• Produce Schedules using MS Projects
• Produce drawing using AutoCAD

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