Process Engineer

Sustana Group; De Pere (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Employee assistance program

Health savings account

Vacation & Personal Days

Life insurance

Short & Long Term disability insurance

Job summary

Sustana Group in De Pere, WI is seeking a junior Process Engineer to support optimization, reliability, and continuous improvement of our recycled fiber manufacturing operations. Under supervision, you will analyze production data, assist with troubleshooting, and contribute to capital projects and technical development.

This on-site role requires collaboration with Operations, Maintenance and Environmental teams, focusing on safety, quality, throughput, and cost performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Paper Science, Paper Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Internship, co-op, or 0-3 years of engineering experience in manufacturing or industrial operations preferred.
• Experience or coursework related to process improvement, manufacturing operations, data analysis, or process control systems is desirable.
• Understanding of continuous improvement principles and problem-solving methodologies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support process improvements to enhance safety, quality, throughput, and efficiency.
• Monitor process performance and maintain operating centerlines and critical parameters.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements and cost reductions.
• Assist with startup, shutdown, commissioning, and stabilization of equipment and process changes.
• Participate in production trials and evaluate results for continuous improvement.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Data analysis

Communication

Organization

Safety knowledge

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

PLC

DCS

HMI/SCADA

Instrumentation

Process control systems

Microsoft Office

Data historians

Statistical software

Job description

Under direction of the Senior Process Engineer, the Process Engineer supports the optimization, reliability, and continuous improvement of Sustana's recycled fiber manufacturing operations. Working closely with Operations, Maintenance and Environmental teams, this junior level role helps improve process efficiency, product quality, production throughput, and cost performance while ensuring safe and environmentally responsible operations. The Process Engineer analyzes production data, supports troubleshooting and root cause investigations, assists with process control initiatives, and contributes to capital projects and technical development efforts throughout the facility with the guidance of the Senior Process Engineer.

Please note: This position is based onsite at our De Pere, WI facility. Remote work is not available, and relocation assistance is not offered for this role.

Key Responsibilities

Process Optimization & Operational Support

• Support the production team in identifying and implementing process improvements that enhance safety, quality, throughput, and efficiency.
• Monitor process performance and help maintain operating centerlines and critical process parameters.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements and cost reduction initiatives.
• Assist with startup, shutdown, commissioning, and stabilization of equipment and process changes.
• Participate in production trials and evaluate results to support continuous improvement efforts.

Process Monitoring & Data Analysis

• Collect, analyze, and interpret production, quality, downtime, and reliability data.
• Maintain process dashboards, KPIs, and performance reporting tools.
• Monitor key process variables and provide recommendations to improve operational performance.
• Analyze wastepaper quality and furnish performance to provide feedback to Operations and Procurement teams.
• Support development of data-driven solutions to improve mill performance.

Quality & Troubleshooting

• Assist in investigating process, production, and quality issues.
• Support root cause analysis activities using problem-solving methodologies such as 5-Why and Fishbone Analysis.
• Work with operators, supervisors, and laboratory personnel to improve product consistency and reduce process variability.
• Participate in corrective and preventive action activities.
• Support efforts to improve on-grade production and reduce waste.

Process Control & Automation

• Assist with calibration, verification, and troubleshooting of process instrumentation and control systems.
• Support maintenance and optimization of PLC, DCS, instrumentation, and process control systems.
• Assist in evaluating opportunities for automation and process control improvements.
• Help maintain technical documentation related to process controls and operating systems.
• Participate in testing, implementation, and validation of control system changes.

Operation, Maintenance & Reliability Support

• Work closely with Operations and Maintenance teams to support daily mill performance.
• Participate in equipment inspections, shutdown planning, and startup activities.
• Assist with predictive and preventive maintenance initiatives.
• Support reliability improvement projects through data collection and analysis.
• Help develop recommendations for equipment and process improvements.
• Monitor and support Effluent Treatment Plant operations to ensure regulatory compliance and effective performance.
• Collect and analyze environmental and wastewater treatment data.
• Assist with environmental reporting, permit compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support projects focused on reducing water consumption, fiber loss, waste, and environmental impacts.

Documentation & Technical Development

• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, SOPs, troubleshooting guides, and process records.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, data summaries, and recommendations for plant leadership.
• Support employee training efforts related to process systems and operational best practices.
• Participate in technical development opportunities to build process engineering expertise.
• Maintain accurate records of process changes, trials, and improvement projects.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Paper Science, Paper Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Internship, co-op, or 0-3 years of engineering experience in manufacturing or industrial operations preferred.
• Experience or coursework related to process improvement, manufacturing operations, data analysis, or process control systems is desirable.
• Understanding of continuous improvement principles and problem-solving methodologies preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in pulp and paper, recycled fiber, wastewater treatment, or other continuous-process manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with PLC, DCS, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, or process control systems.
• Experience using Microsoft Office, data historians, statistical software, and data analysis tools.
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or operational excellence programs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret operational data.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills with the ability to work across multiple departments.
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities.
• Working knowledge of industrial safety practices and manufacturing processes.
• Self-motivated with a desire to learn and grow within a manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements and Working environment

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to production equipment, moving machinery, heat, humidity, noise, dust, and varying environmental conditions.
• Ability to walk production floors, climb stairs and ladders, and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work in office and production environments for extended periods.

Occasional off-hours support may be required during trials, startups, shutdowns, or operational issues.

• 401(k) with employer match
• Employee assistance program
• Health savings account
• Vacation & Personal Days
• Life insurance
• Short & Long Term disability insurance

Sustana Fiber is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Sustana Fiber prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, provincial, or local laws.