Mechanical Project Engineer

Smurfit Westrock plc; Roanoke Rapids (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock plc in Roanoke Rapids, NC is seeking a Project Engineer to lead capital and maintenance projects in a fast-paced paper mill. You will coordinate across Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, contractors, and vendors to deliver safe, high-quality results.

You will manage projects from concept through completion, emphasize safety, quality, cost, and schedule, and develop technical documentation, drawings, and execution plans to communicate requirements clearly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial or related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• 5+ years of related experience with emphasis on engineering capital projects; 2+ years also 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 with exposure to heat, dust, and noise.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital and maintenance projects from planning and design through budgeting, scheduling, execution, and implementation.
• Coordinate work with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, consulting engineers, contractors, and vendors.
• Ensure safety, quality, cost, and schedule targets are met on multiple projects.
• Develop drawings, specifications, execution plans, scopes of work, estimates, and schedules.
• Oversee outside contractors on capital and maintenance projects of varying size and complexity.

Skills

Problem solving

Troubleshooting

Adaptability

Oral communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)

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
• 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 drawing using AutoCAD

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