Mechanical Project Engineer

Smurfit Westrock; Roanoke Rapids (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Roanoke Rapids, NC seeks a Project Engineer to manage capital and maintenance projects, coordinate across engineering, operations, and contractors, and deliver safe, high-quality results in a fast-paced paper manufacturing environment.

The role emphasizes strong project management, technical skills, and the ability to drive reliability improvements while meeting schedule and budget targets.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree required with emphasis on capital projects or maintenance.
• Experience in paper manufacturing or similar industry is preferred.
• Strong ability to manage multiple projects safely and within schedule.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital and maintenance projects from concept through completion.
• Coordinate across Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, contractors and vendors.
• Ensure safety, quality, cost and schedule targets are met.
• Develop drawings, specs, execution plans, and work scopes.
• Oversee outside contractors on varied projects.

Skills

Turbine Maintenance Experience

Piping System Design

Paper Machine Maintenance Experience

Boiler Maintenance Experience

Pressure Piping and Code Experience

Tank & Vessel Inspection

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial 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.

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.

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.