Process Engineer I

Packaging Corporation of America; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Packaging Corporation of America is seeking a Process Engineer to analyze, plan and control mechanical and chemical mill processes. You will drive improvements to lower costs and raise product quality by optimizing safety, yield and productivity.

The role requires collaboration with senior engineers and cross-functional teams to implement data-driven process controls and tech upgrades. The position emphasizes hands-on problem solving, development of Trial plans, and training of staff on advanced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering or Paper Science and/or Engineering.
• EIT certification or on EIT certification track preferred.
• 2 years of work in a process engineering related role; paper mill experience preferred.
• Good troubleshooting skills and knowledge of digital and analog control systems.
• Ability to learn and develop Model Predictive Controls across responsibilities.
• Self-starter with supervision-light work approach and strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Improve the mill profit and loss by designing and evaluating trial work to improve safety, cost, quality, yield, productivity or compliance.
• Evaluate long-term compatibility of emerging technologies and advise on equipment purchases.
• Investigate production and process problems through studies and data analysis with management reporting.
• Develop plans, specifications and reports for trials.
• Support engineers in environmental, quality and productivity studies and process changes.
• Train crew and management in plant operations and process controls.
• Communicate how Pulpmill/Power and Recovery controls impact customers.

Skills

Troubleshooting skills

Control systems knowledge

Model Predictive Control

Communication skills

Project leadership

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering or Paper Science and/or Engineering

EIT certification or on EIT certification track

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Position Summary

The Process Engineer is responsible for analysis, planning and control of the mechanical and chemical processes at the mill. As a part of a continually improving plant, the Process Engineer is responsible for recommending design, operation, control and procedural improvements for a lower cost and higher quality end product.

Dimensions

PCA is the fourth largest manufacturer of containerboard and corrugates packaging in United States. PCA is an ideas and solutions company. We are a leader in helping our customer package, transport and display products of all kinds. PCA embodies a culture of continuous improvement and, as such, is dedicated to delivering a high quality and sustainable product via innovative energy management and responsible design. In 2014, our 6 containerboard plants (\"Mills\") produced 3.5 million tons of containerboard netting $4.5 billion in sales to third parties. Each of PCAs containerboard plants house a stock pulp machine, Fourdrinier machine, ___ pressers, and myriad of other containerboard equipment. In general, PCA strives for a maximum of ___ response time in case of an emergency stoppage. The Process Engineer analyzes and plans the mechanical and chemical processes to improve mill profits and decrease the plants losses.

Principle Accountabilities

• Improve the mill profit and loss statement by executing plans to design, conduct and evaluate trial work to advance the mill's economic situation by continually improving safety, environmental, cost, quality, yield, productivity or compliance operations
• Evaluate long-term compatibility of emerging technologies in the industry and make recommendations regarding equipment currently utilizes as well as purchasing new equipment
• Investigate and solve production and process related problems by conducting studies, effluent treatment projects, and air quality studies, collecting data and conducting analysis to report back to manager with recommendations and conclusions
• Develops plans, specifications and reports for assigned trials
• Support peer engineers in conducting environmental, quality and productivity studies, analysis and process change.
• Support the mills optimization/process control sustainability and continual improvement efforts by participating in environmental, quality, and productivity trials and assignments
• Investigate methods to decrease waste, productivity, and supply costs which improving quality and throughput
• Work with senior engineers on complex assignments, assisting where necessary
• Track initial base lines of the projects/controls and report out on savings
• Communicate to staff how the actions of the Pulpmill/Power and Recovery departments controls impact customers
• Train crew and management in all phases of plant operations

• Knows and follows policies and procedures of the company shares information that would benefit other members of the team and finds ways to improve the delivery of service to our customers.
• Strives to continually strengthen PCA's business philosophy of meeting needs and exceeding expectation for customers. This includes supporting PCA's Commitment to Service which involves doing what's right for our customers, focusing on strategies that add value and support growth, and keeping the promises that we make.

Decision Making

The Process Engineer is required to exercise discretion and creativity in determining best way optimize processes and addressing assignments. The Process Engineer is expected to drive performance of the team assigned to his/her project to meet goals. The Process Engineer is expected to take general directions and from those directions make decisions as to his/her approach to completing assigned projects and is expected determine how to operate and conduct assigned tasks within the established standards and procedures

Interactions with Customers and Contacts

Internally, the Process Engineer interacts with manufacturing and support personnel to complete assigned work. Additionally, the Process Engineer is responsible for oversight and communication of pertinent improvement activities to manufacturing staff and management. Externally, the Process Engineer has a network of field and process experts and is expected to grow and maintain those company contacts. This position must also be able to develop contacts with new ideas/equipment and to be able to work with the mill and corporate staff to get those resources to the mill when needed.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering or Paper Science and/or Engineering.
• EIT certification or on EIT certification track preferred
• 2 years of work in a process engineering related role or equivalent. Paper mill experience or process knowledge preferred.
• Must have good troubleshooting skills and knowledge of digital and analog control systems.
• Ability to work with the required software for model based control applications.
• Good written and verbal communication skills and ability to build and maintain positive relationships with team members.
• Good organizational skills, decision maker and results oriented.
• Ability to learn and develop Model Predictive Controls on all areas of responsibilities.
• Self-starter, willing to work with minimal supervision and input from those who explain the needed results.
• Ability to develop and train on processes and systems being put into place.
• Demonstrated effective facilitation, project execution, and follow-up and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated track record of independent project leadership and value creation.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point, and Outlook required.