Senior Process Engineer

CLEARWATER PAPER CORP; Arkansas City (AR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Clearwater Paper is seeking a Senior Process Engineer for our Cypress Bend paperboard operation in Arkansas. You will lead process improvement, drive safety, quality, cost, yield, and reliability across manufacturing areas, mentoring engineers and supporting capital projects.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, 5+ years in paper/chemistry, proficiency with PI and production management systems, and strong communication skills. On-site role with competitive pay and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required; Chemical or Paper preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant process engineering experience in paper/board.
• Proficient knowledge of PI (Process Information System).
• Experience with Production Management systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience with CI, Lean, OEE and TPM techniques.
• High-speed manufacturing environment with noise and hazards.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates new technologies and implements process changes to reduce costs and improve quality.
• Leads technical processes in operating areas to solve equipment problems.
• Provides data support for reports and performance updates.
• Performs data analysis to reduce variability and improve performance.
• Reviews production schedules and suggests changes to reduce downtime.
• Designs solutions to eliminate equipment failures and instabilities.
• Writes procedures and trains operators; monitors quality compliance.
• Organizes shut down schedules for operations when applicable.
• Develops knowledge of all process areas and identifies improvement opportunities.
• Justifies capital expenditures and coordinates start-up of projects.
• Recommends process improvements and chemical changes for better operation.
• Conducts crew training on new equipment; monitors performance.

Skills

Process engineering

5+ years experience

Strong communication

Planning & organization

Lean / CI / TPM / OEE

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical or Paper preferred)

Tools

PI (Process Information System)

Production Management system

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Senior Process Engineer - Paper Industry

Job Category: Engineering

Requisition Number: SENIO002813

• Posted : August 7, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site
• Salary Range : $110,000 USD to $165,000 USD

Locations

Showing 1 location

Description

Where you will work

Our Cypress Bend team is a close-knit group of approximately 275 skilled employees who take pride in what we do. Together, we make paperboard used in products across the United States, including food packaging, plates, cups and more.

Located in the historic Mississippi River Delta, this facility offers a slower pace with plenty of outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and biking. Many employees commute from nearby towns such as McGehee, Monticello, Dumas, Dermott and Lake Village, which are known for affordable living, strong local pride and family-friendly schools.

The Cypress Bend team also supports local cultural and the arts, with past contributions to the WWII Japanese Internment Museum and SEArk Concert Association.

What you will do

The Senior Process Engineer will serve as a lead in the development and continuous improvement effort of the manufacturing process. Key focus areas include safety, quality, cost, yield, waste, and process reliability.

Technical Assistance

• Evaluates new technologies, implements process changes and develops systems to reduce operating costs, increase production and improve quality
• Leads the technical process for operating areas to solve equipment and process-related problems
• Provides support data for all reports and performance updates
• Data analysis to reduce variability or improve performance
• Reviews production schedules and suggests modifications for reduced downtime and/or change overs where applicable
• Assists with designing solutions to eliminate equipment failures and process instabilities
• Writes procedures, trains operators and monitor compliance with quality procedures
• Organizes shut down schedules for operations where applicable

Process Improvement

• Develops working knowledge of all process areas in areas including process flow, operator responsibility, major quality attributes and areas for improvement
  Initiates, conducts and documents results of process trials to improve productivity and/or quality
• Assists with proposals to justify capital expenditures, help manages technical aspects and assist with coordination of start-up of capital projects
• Recommends and implements process improvements or chemical changes to improve the overall operation where applicable
• Assists with data collection for justification of capital expenditures and coordination of start-ups
• Conducts crew training in new process equipment or chemical additives
• Monitors process variables and recommends changes in operation for improved performance
• Optimizes process by identifying and eliminating root causes of process variations
• Monitors performance of wearable items (clothing, coater blades, doctor blades, etc.) and recommend changes leading to cost reduction, quality enhancements, or production improvement

Leadership

• Participates in the development of less experienced engineers
• Provides crew supervision during trials or upset conditions to ensure the trial plans are properly executed
• Actively seeks and allocates appropriate decision-making authority or task responsibility to appropriate individuals based on their abilities, availability, motivation, and development needs; considers potential positive and negative impact, business unit priorities, organizational values, and the opportunity to enhance others’ knowledge and skills
• Identifies barriers that impact customer service and retention; communicates concerns and recommendations to others
• Uses understanding of customer needs and the organization’s customer service practices to set priorities, make decisions, and take actions that create customer satisfaction and prevent service issues from occurring
• Creates relevant options for addressing problems and opportunities that will achieve desired outcomes
• Systematically evaluates business opportunities, targeting those with the greatest potential for producing positive business results

What you will need

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required, Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or Paper Science preferred
• 5+ years of relevant experience required; Paper Machine experience or pulping and/or bleach plant experience preferred
• Proficient knowledge of PI (Process Information System)
• Previous experience using a Production Management system preferred
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required
• Excellent Planning and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Previous experience with CI, Lean, OEE and TPM techniques desired
• High speed manufacturing environment, sustained exposure to high frequency noises, multiple hours standing, walking on concrete surfaces
• Personal Protective Equipment required in mill environment
• Dirt, noise, odor, and temperature extremes
• Climbing stairs, ladders, and scaffolding
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals used in manufacturing process

We prioritize an exceptional workplace experience, offering a comprehensive total reward package. This position is eligible for our Incentive Plan. Compensation ranges are estimates based on market data. Actual offers account for internal equity and candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, and geographic location. Benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and more, generally begin after 30 days. Our paid time off will include vacation days, personal days, and company holidays. For more on our compensation philosophy, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition Team at [e-mail] .

Clearwater Paper will not offer sponsorship for employment-based visa status (including, but not limited to, H-1B visa status and other employment-based nonimmigrant visas) for this position. Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and must not require Clearwater Paper's sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

This role will be open for a minimum of 2 weeks or at the point a successful candidate is selected.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.