Process Engineer

WestRock Company; Longview (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Flexible spending account

HSA

Life insurance

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Matching 401K

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Process Engineer to lead technical projects focused on product and process problem-solving, improvements, cost reduction, and profitability. You will support operating departments to drive continuous process improvement and help the mill achieve its goals.

In this role you will determine process changes, run trials, analyze data, create process monitoring reports, and collaborate with Operations, E&I, and Process Control Engineers to optimize performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field required.
• 2-5 years of experience in a process engineering role required.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office (Excel macros preferred).
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills across departments.

Responsibilities

• Determine and implement process changes and/or trials to improve operating efficiency and performance.
• Perform daily checks of production output and contributing factors.
• Collaborate with Operations, E&I, and Process Control Engineers to understand processes.
• Provide analytical support and problem-solving related to operating processes.
• Drive continuous process improvement through trials and data analysis.
• Translate production efficiencies and reduced variances to revenues and costs.
• Develop Process Book pages and PI tags for process insight.
• Troubleshoot pump performance and analyze data from trials.
• Gather and cleanse production data and perform statistical tests.

Skills

VBA

PI Training

Problem solving

Communication

Leadership

Excel macros

Microsoft Office

Data analysis

Statistical analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related

Tools

Plant Information System

Process Book

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

The Opportunity:

The Process Engineer is responsible for managing technical projects aimed at product and process problem-solving and/or improvements, cost reduction, and profitability improvement. Process engineers provide technical assistance to the operating departments to help them achieve the mill's goals and objectives while driving continuous process improvement.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

• Determine and implement process changes and/or trials to improve operating efficiency and performance and minimize variation
• Perform daily checks of production output and contributing factors
• Partner with operations, E&I, and Process Control Engineers to understand all processes and how teams and individuals are involved and impacted at each step
• Provide operators, other managers, and salaried employees with analytical support and problem-solving related to operating processes
• Drive continuous process improvement within an operating area through the coordination and management of raw material and other process trials (e.g., using an ingredient or process aid/chemical)
• Translate production efficiencies and reduced variances to revenues and costs
• Use material balances to identify process problems with transmitters and other equipment
• Serve as the owner and subject matter expert for Process Book (the mill's software to view Distributed Control System equipment), ensuring that all data and documentation is accurate and up to date
• Develop Process Book pages to capture insight into processes and equipment, including the creation of new PI tags (e.g., flow, pressure, temperature, and mode on the equipment)
• Troubleshoot pump performance with a pump curve analysis to assess whether a pump is under designed, past life expectancy, worn out, or underperforming for various reasonsTrack and analyze data related to any trials, changes and continual production information to inform recommendations and decisions
• Gather and cleanse production and process data and perform statistical/analytical tests to uncover important variables and their impacts
• Generate production reporting, create process monitoring reports, and perform daily troubleshooting of the process

What you need to succeed:

• Chemical Engineering or related bachelor's degree required.
• VBA training preferred
• PI Training preferred
• 2-5 years of experience in a process engineering role required
• Work experience in the paper industry or similar industry through an internship or co-op preferred
• Proficient computer skills including experience Microsoft Office - Excel (ability to script macros is preferred), Outlook, PowerPoint, Word
• Excellent problem-solving ability.
• Ability to communicate effectively across all departments.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Review and share best practices with peers in technical subject areas including computer software and systems (Plant Information System, Excel, quality data tracker, electronic log sheet)
• Support the area operations management with daily production reporting
• Regularly communicate process-related data to operations and management in readily consumable way
• Deliver presentations to operations team and leadership providing an executive-level summary of Process Excellence projects

Benefits Offered

Smurfit Westock offers a variety of benefits and group health insurance options, the premium costs of which are currently shared by employees and Smurfit Westrock (e.g., health, dental, vision, disability, flexible spending account, HSA, life insurance, paid time off, employee assistance program, matching 401K).

What we offer:

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.