Quality Process Engineer

Smurfit Westrock; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary reflecting skills

401(k) match

Health Savings Account

Life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Lansing, MI seeks a Quality Process Engineer to ensure product quality, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence across the lifecycle. You will drive validation strategies, risk management, and data-driven improvements with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities include leading IQ/OQ/PQ activities, change-control administration, and ongoing quality performance reporting. Applicants should have relevant associate-level education, quality experience, and proficiency

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in a related field and 2 years quality experience or equivalent.
• Certified Quality Engineer preferred.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 preferred.
• Ability to read and write complex instructions, correspondence and memos.
• Ability to respond to customer inquiries, complaints, and regulatory agencies.
• Comfort presenting information to top management and public groups.
• Strong mathematical skills with statistics knowledge.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute validation activities for new and existing products, processes, equipment, and software systems.
• Develop validation protocols, plans, reports, and documentation (IQ, OQ, PQ).
• Ensure validation activities meet customer requirements and internal standards.
• Collaborate with Operations and Engineering to assess process capability and establish controls.
• Maintain validation records and ensure ongoing compliance with procedures.
• Manage site Change Control process and evaluate proposed changes for impact on quality and compliance.
• Coordinate cross-functional reviews and approvals for change requests.
• Ensure validation, risk assessments, and implementation are completed prior to change approval.
• Track change control actions through closure and verify effectiveness.
• Serve as Product Stewardship representative and maintain regulatory compliance.
• Manage documentation for raw materials, products, and suppliers.
• Review formulations, specifications, and changes for compliance.
• Address customer requests related to product compliance and declarations.

Skills

Quality experience

Statistics

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Reading/writing complex instructions

Education

Associate’s degree in a related field

Certified Quality Engineer

Tools

SPC

FMEA

Control Plans

5 Whys

Fishbone Diagrams

Pareto Analysis

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

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.

Quality Process Engineer - Lansing, MI

The Opportunity:

The Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring product quality, compliance, and operational excellence throughout the product lifecycle. This role supports change control activities, validation programs, product stewardship initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts by applying quality systems, risk-based decision making, and data-driven analysis. The Quality Engineer collaborates cross-functionally to assess and implement changes, develop and execute validation strategies, monitor product and process performance, investigate quality issues, and drive sustainable improvements based on key performance metrics. Through proactive quality oversight and continuous monitoring, this position helps maintain regulatory compliance, product reliability, customer satisfaction, and overall business performance in the Lansing plant.

How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock

• Lead and execute validation activities for new and existing products, processes, equipment, and software systems.
• Develop validation protocols, plans, reports, and documentation including IQ, OQ, and PQ activities as applicable.
• Ensure validation activities are completed in compliance with customer requirements and internal standards.
• Collaborate with Operations and Engineering to assess process capability and establish process controls.
• Maintain validation records and ensure ongoing compliance with established procedures.
• Administer and maintain the site Change Control process.
• Evaluate proposed changes for potential impact on product quality, regulatory compliance, production efficiency, and customer requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional reviews and approvals for change requests.
• Ensure validation, risk assessments, and implementation activities are completed prior to change approval.
• Track change control actions through closure and verify effectiveness of implemented changes.
• Serve as Product Stewardship representative
• Maintain compliance with applicable environmental, health, safety, and product regulatory requirements.
• Manage raw material, product, and supplier compliance documentation.
• Review product formulations, specifications, and changes to ensure continued regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate customer requests related to product compliance, certifications, declarations, and material disclosures.
• Utilize quality tools such as SPC, FMEA, Control Plans, 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, and Pareto Analysis to improve processes.
• Lead quality improvement projects focused on reducing defects, waste, and variability.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and report quality performance metrics to management.

What You Need To Succeed

• Must have an Associate’s degree in a related field and 2 years Quality experience, or a combination of training, experience.
• Certified Quality Engineer certificate is preferred.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 is preferred.
• Must have the ability to read and write complex instructions, correspondence and memos.
• Must have the ability to respond to customer inquiries, complaints, regulatory agencies.
• Must be comfortable with effectively presenting information to top management and public groups.
• Must have good mathematical skills, especially knowledge and skill in statistics.
• Must be competent in Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook products.
• Must be able to perform all essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

What We Offer

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• Competitive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential
• A career with a global packaging company where sustainability, safety, and inclusion are foundational to how we operate
• Competitive total rewards package including medical, dental, and vision coverage options starting on your first day
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions and flexible spending account (FSA) options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match and automatic contributions to support your long-term financial goals
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage for financial protection
• Mental health support and wellness programs designed to promote overall well-being
• Generous paid time off, including company holidays, vacation, and paid parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement and ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Additional voluntary benefits such as legal services, identity protection, pet insurance, and more

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.